Paris Est Toujours Une Bonne Idée (Redux)
To save money on my flight to Lisbon, I’m spending five days in Paris. What an excellent idea!
I always stay in the Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement) or St. Germain (the 6th) as I like the familiar neighborhoods and the vibe. This time I chose a small hotel very close to the Luxembourg Garden and not far from Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the oldest church in Paris. Hotel Odéon Saint Germain occupies a 16th century building tucked between chic shops and the Baroque St. Sulpice church, with its immense fountain.
More on St. Sulpice later in the week, I hope.
A leisurely stroll to get acquainted with my immediate neighborhood and to scope out dining options led me to the Jardin de Luxembourg, one of my favorite places in all of Paris. The Medici Queen Marie created the gardens in 1612 and today they span over 56 acres. Overlooking a large pond is the palace built by the Queen and today used for gatherings of the French Sénat.
Even on this cloudy Monday afternoon many people were sitting around the pond reading and children were sailing the iconic wooden boats. Elsewhere folks were engaged in chess or backgammon games.
After an unremarkable dinner washed down by a large glass of Sancerre, I returned to the hotel to go to bed early, as I barely slept on the flight. Tomorrow is a big day to scratch an item off the bucket list: a baking class at Le Cordon Bleu!
I love that you are able to save money by spending five days in Paris! You must be very good at math!
A baking class at Le Cordon Bleu sounds fabulous and I know you will be baking something wonderful. What an excellent way to find instant friends.
I hadn’t seen a travel post from you in a while and was beginning to worry about you. This trip sounds like fun. Enjoy yourself.
I loved that neighborhood Diana! I stayed in St Germain near Luxemborg Gardens in a sweet hotel, St Paul Rive Gauche, when I was in Paris years ago. I felt I was part of daily life there and not a tourist. So excited you’re taking a Cordon Bleu class!