I had all my travel planned, like so many others. For me, two and half months of travel starting in April…Marrakech to Nice to Paris to three Greek islands: Hydra, Kefalonia followed by Corfu with a final landing in London for a few days before heading homeward bound. All details accounted for…Flights booked. Train and auto rentals secured. Apartments rented. Hotels and Riad confirmed.

And, then COVID-19 showed up at everyone’s doorstep and, sadly, ever so sadly, walked into some of our homes.

I continued to blog. And…I followed all the steps to stay safe.

But then, early June, a serious illness stepped right inside my body (NOT COVID-19) slowing me down to a crawl for months. A final surgery just a few days ago and now, hopefully, I’ll recuperate and make my way to a ‘new healthy normal’. Along with a vaccination and, as others that ‘Live to Travel’,  I will be ‘good to go’.  

In the meantime, I look through my thousands (ahem!) of photos and consider them my return ticket to a moment otherwise gone. Here are just some of my October memories. I hope they will stir up some of your memories of time spent in Paris in the Fall months too. 

Francophile friends! I look forward to seeing you upon my return!

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Lunch with northern California friends at the Brasserie Lutetia which is at the newly renovated Hotel Lutetia. I will mention that pricing is not for the faint at heart. But my heart does a pitter patter when I am there. It may well not do that for you but it is still worth a visit. I know some of the reason it lifts my spirits is its history. Read about the Hotel Lutetia history here: (https://www.hotellutetia.com). And info about the Brasserie here: (https://www.hotellutetia.com/brasserie) Also check out the Bar Josephine.

Shakespeare and Company is always worth a stop. Look on their website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) to see when they are having one of their evening author interviews. Hint: Arrive early so you can grab one of their limited seats! (Of course, COVID-19 has hit them hard and does not allow for the book signings/author interviews at the moment.)

Window shopping or, better yet, stepping inside the shop when I have the time while on my way to my final destination is always one of my favorite pastimes.

I often just drool outside the shop window of the sweet and tiny Poilane shop (https://www.poilane.com/en/). But the apple tarts at Poilane and their bread, well, I am not always able to resist.

Maison Plisson, at 93 Blvd Beaumarchais in the 3rd arr., is a delicatessen, and is a destination near the concept shop/’mini’ department store, Merci (https://merci-merci.com/en). Both have a cafe. Or, the pizza from Pizza Chic back in my 6th arr. neighborhood also has a location called Grazie at 91, Blvd Beaumarchais in the 3rd arr. (http://www.graziegrazie.fr) near to Maison Plisson and Merci.

Well, Gerard Mulot takes me back to my neighborhood and has been around as long as I have been traveling to Paris and then some.

Don’t forget to look up. The signage is often precious. At the same time as looking up, be conscious of the uneven streets. No tripping injuries allowed!

Always a wealth of seasonal flowers.

The two photos above are of my favorite garden in Paris, which is the Luxembourg Gardens in the 6th arrondissement. Why is it my favorite? For many of my stays in Paris, it acts like my backyard as it seemingly does for Parisians too. Gorgeous in all seasons (OK, it can be a little bleak in winter) and planned for children as well as adults, it is worth exploring all four corners of what it has to offer. The top photo is of the La Fontaine Medicis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medici_Fountain

Notre Dame under repair. There will be a NOVA show airing on Wednesday Nov 25 at 9:30PM (PST) called Saving Notre Dame. I believe it is also airing on Friday, Nov 27th at 2:30AM (PST), if you are interested in watching/recording.

And one of my favorite cafes on Ile St. Louis, Le Flore en L’ile (https://lefloreenlile.fr/en/ ) with a view of Notre Dame from the back. And, yes, this is the middle of October with a sunny view and a warm enough temperature to fill the outdoor seating with customers. The guy in the blue shirt (on the far left) is my companion on some of my short stays/travel landings.

When I walk past this bookstore, Taschen at 2, rue de Buci, I rarely can pass up a ‘stop-in’.

Mariage Frères is tea salon heaven. (https://www.mariagefreres.com/UK/french_tea_salon_and_restaurant.html) Arnaud Larher, ((https://www.arnaudlarher.com/en/) is always decked out in perfection pleasures. And good ol’ Gerard Mulot (https://www.maison-mulot.com), not always PERFECTLY beautiful looking as other bakers can claim, but who can pass up figs, as a fall splendor taste?

Les Editeurs Cafe/Restaurant (http://www.lesediteurs.fr) has become one of my ‘go tos’ in my neighborhood. Always street and sidewalk action to entertain. I am always welcomed as a single.

Roses still in bloom in October on the side of Saint-Germain-des-Pres Church at 3, Place Saint-Germain-des-Pres, the oldest church in Paris. As I round the left corner, the rose tree catches me by surprise!

Does this remind you of one of your visits to Paris? What are your special always have to ‘go to’ when you spend time in Paris?

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