Chit-chatting with a new friend in Paris!

23/5/2013

Bonjour mes amis!

It's a gorgeous Spring Day here in France!  How about by you?  Are you looking outside at Sun, lush Grass and Flowers?  I hope so!

The other week, I took the train to Paris to meet a "friend of a friend" from Texas.  My dear friend, Mary Anne, is a born and raised Texas Girl, and she has many friends, and is a good friend to many.  (Did you just understand that sentence...I mean, I used the word "friend" three times!)  Anyway...Mary Anne knew that her friend, Chantal, would be coming to France for a Family Reunion, and she thought we should meet.  So, earlier this month, we did!  Chantal's Mother is from France, and Chantal grew up visiting France all during her childhood and has many good memories.  I just loved meeting Chantal, and we hit it off so well, and now...

I MADE A NEW AMERICAN FRIEND IN PARIS!

And...

I'm pretty sure she's going to be my friend in Dallas, too!

We spent the day together in Paris a couple weeks ago, and talked and talked.  (No wise cracks from the men, please...)  We have the same kind of appreciation for France and all things French, so we had a ball, chit-chatting about where we've been, what we like, etc., etc.  You'd think we'd known each other for years if you spotted us sitting down to lunch at...

Ladurée Royale!

First, I took the train, and met Chantal at her Hotel, and we sat there in the Lobby for quite a while chit-chatting about all sorts of things.  (We'd been getting to know eachother a bit by email for a few weeks)!

And then, we headed out to the crowded streets of Paris to explore...
(The High Season of Tourism has already begun)!

After a brief stop in a Monoprix for a Flat Iron and some Cards, we kept our eyes open (as you always should in France)...

Because beyond the doors, sometimes you can spot a sweet Courtyard!

It's like a secret world beyond the Street...

Then, there's the obvious Architecture!  We walked near Place Vendome...This column was erected by Napoleon I to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz.  It is a rather prominent memorial for the French.

And a Church with awesome Architecture...

We also wandered to another rather prominent place in History...

Chanel!

This is the famed Rue Cambon Chanel!  We shopped for a bit near the Purses, and then were escorted to another room to see the beautiful Silk Scarves...

And then, we got to see Coco Chanel's famous Staircase!

My thanks to Chantal for sharing this photo with me!

Next stop...Lunch...but not just any Lunch!  Not in a brasserie, or grabbing a sandwich at a Boulangerie!  No, we went to Ladurée!  I'd seen the Restaurant on the Champs Elysées, and drooled at the beauty, so when we spotted the Ladurée, we decided to check the Menu and enjoy!  It's not really the kind of place the guys want to go to, so in case I never got to go otherwise, this was my chance.  Chantal obliged...

Here we are, enjoying our Coffee after Dessert...

And look at the Desserts we had to choose from...

Yes, it was a nice day in Paris for me, and I so enjoyed making a new Friend.  I can hardly wait for us to get together when I'm back in Dallas!  Let the chit-chatting continue...

Oh!  In case you are wondering...We didn't buy anything at Chanel...but it sure was fun going there!

Have a "Jewel" of a Day!
Jan