And so Tuesday rolled around, our last full day in Paris. This day was reserved for shopping and chocolates. We wanted to visit some additional outlet type places and we wanted to visit some of the chocolatiers listed in NY Times travel article we had read. (http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/travel/14journeys.html)
We first stopped by a couple of shops near the apt. One shop is particular has a very nice selection of scarves. It's interesting to see that google street view is pretty out of date in terms of what's on Rue Saint Louis en L'Ile, as this particular store can't be seen.
One of the discount outlet streets is Rue Alesia, conveniently located at the Alesia metro stop. We stopped for a quick bite first, at one of the ubiquitous "traiteur asiatque" places that seem to be all around Paris. I guess that in the old days, asian immigrants started laundry places and restaurants. These days, it is these asian deli places that they start (and also a number of shops that sell handbags, probably sourced from China). Anyway, this particular one was a combination deli and patisserie, and not too bad.
Rue Alesia has a number of shops listed in the guidebook, including a Sonia Rykiel outlet, and a Cacherel outlet. Neither of these were that interesting. Besides those, there are some "stock" places that sell whatever they've managed to scrounge up. One place in particular had bins of very cheap, branded stuff. Also, a good Chevignon outlet for men's clothes, where I bought a shirt.
Another street, more upscale is Rue St Placide; we headed there next. There's a branch there of the well-known Mouton a Cinq Pattes, but I wasn't impressed, though I sure with serious digging, you might find something good. There are other discount stores around here too, but we ended up at the big department store Le Bon Marche and wandered around their expensive merchandise for a little while.
Close to here are a couple of the famous chocolatiers of Paris, Jean-Charles Rochoux and Christian Constant. We bought a small sample at the first, then a box, some honey and pate des fruit at the 2nd. Then off to the next group on Rue Saint Honore, a very upscale shopping street. First we visited Michel Cluizet, where we got a box to bring home, a sampler, and some macarons; then we went to Jean-Paul Hevin where we only bought a sample. We then had a rest in the Tuilaries gardens, where, as we were walking in, past a sign that said, among other things, no dogs, a man with a dog walked right in -- there were a number of dogs in the park. While sitting, we decided to continue the food thing, but next: pastries.
So we went off back to the Bastille metro stop, where there were two pastry shop listings in the guidebook: Dallayou and a branch of Lenotre. Bought some pastries and some macarons at both. Speaking of maracons, everyone says that the ones at Pierre Herme are the best; unfortunately, they'll have to wait for the next trip.
Anyway, on the way back from Lenotre, we passed a more neighborhood pastry shop and bought another little tart. In the end, we liked Lenotre and the local place's stuff the best.
For dinner, we were planning to go to Mon Viel Ami, just a hop and a skip from the apt, and it was listed as being open on Tuesday evenings, but it was not. So we ended up at La Brasserie de L'Ile Saint Louis, which serves classic brasserie food. Our waiter was planning a US West coast trip for his holiday in August. Food was decent.
And that was that. The end of our holiday. Things we had planned but didn't get around to: more museums, e.g. Pompidou center (we bought a 6 day museum pass; unfortunately, used only once!); a visit to Pere Lachaise; a visit to Giverny; a visit to the big flea market at Saint Ouen; various other things. But it was a really good trip nonetheless.
We had a bit of a scare the next morning. The shuttle was supposed to pick us up at 8:30, and by 8:40, still no one. Turns out he got stuck with some closed roads due to a demonstration of some sort. We got to the airport in plenty of time anyway.
Slide show here.
We first stopped by a couple of shops near the apt. One shop is particular has a very nice selection of scarves. It's interesting to see that google street view is pretty out of date in terms of what's on Rue Saint Louis en L'Ile, as this particular store can't be seen.
One of the discount outlet streets is Rue Alesia, conveniently located at the Alesia metro stop. We stopped for a quick bite first, at one of the ubiquitous "traiteur asiatque" places that seem to be all around Paris. I guess that in the old days, asian immigrants started laundry places and restaurants. These days, it is these asian deli places that they start (and also a number of shops that sell handbags, probably sourced from China). Anyway, this particular one was a combination deli and patisserie, and not too bad.
Rue Alesia has a number of shops listed in the guidebook, including a Sonia Rykiel outlet, and a Cacherel outlet. Neither of these were that interesting. Besides those, there are some "stock" places that sell whatever they've managed to scrounge up. One place in particular had bins of very cheap, branded stuff. Also, a good Chevignon outlet for men's clothes, where I bought a shirt.
Another street, more upscale is Rue St Placide; we headed there next. There's a branch there of the well-known Mouton a Cinq Pattes, but I wasn't impressed, though I sure with serious digging, you might find something good. There are other discount stores around here too, but we ended up at the big department store Le Bon Marche and wandered around their expensive merchandise for a little while.
Close to here are a couple of the famous chocolatiers of Paris, Jean-Charles Rochoux and Christian Constant. We bought a small sample at the first, then a box, some honey and pate des fruit at the 2nd. Then off to the next group on Rue Saint Honore, a very upscale shopping street. First we visited Michel Cluizet, where we got a box to bring home, a sampler, and some macarons; then we went to Jean-Paul Hevin where we only bought a sample. We then had a rest in the Tuilaries gardens, where, as we were walking in, past a sign that said, among other things, no dogs, a man with a dog walked right in -- there were a number of dogs in the park. While sitting, we decided to continue the food thing, but next: pastries.
So we went off back to the Bastille metro stop, where there were two pastry shop listings in the guidebook: Dallayou and a branch of Lenotre. Bought some pastries and some macarons at both. Speaking of maracons, everyone says that the ones at Pierre Herme are the best; unfortunately, they'll have to wait for the next trip.
Anyway, on the way back from Lenotre, we passed a more neighborhood pastry shop and bought another little tart. In the end, we liked Lenotre and the local place's stuff the best.
For dinner, we were planning to go to Mon Viel Ami, just a hop and a skip from the apt, and it was listed as being open on Tuesday evenings, but it was not. So we ended up at La Brasserie de L'Ile Saint Louis, which serves classic brasserie food. Our waiter was planning a US West coast trip for his holiday in August. Food was decent.
And that was that. The end of our holiday. Things we had planned but didn't get around to: more museums, e.g. Pompidou center (we bought a 6 day museum pass; unfortunately, used only once!); a visit to Pere Lachaise; a visit to Giverny; a visit to the big flea market at Saint Ouen; various other things. But it was a really good trip nonetheless.
We had a bit of a scare the next morning. The shuttle was supposed to pick us up at 8:30, and by 8:40, still no one. Turns out he got stuck with some closed roads due to a demonstration of some sort. We got to the airport in plenty of time anyway.
Slide show here.
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