Insights • Inspirations • Destinations • Design

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Paris: A Tour for 2013



Paris. It's been on my mind a great deal lately. This is because after 4 years with my partner I've finally persuaded him to have our 'real honeymoon'* there. Can you believe it? Alléluia! 

(*As opposed to our 'rehearsal' honeymoon in New York last year.) 


Anyhow, we suffered a slightly rocky patch over Christmas and so Paris has become my reward. (Do you play Rewards in your relationship? It's like Frequent Flyer Miles or a credit card program, only you earn points for marital stuff.) But weaving back to Paris... After a rather challenging Christmas I asked RR if I could redeem my points for a week in the Left Bank. To my shock, he acquiesced. I know! I never thought I'd get him there either. He still wants to go to the US for his 50th, but he's now softening up to Paris as an add-on. Who would have imagined? Next thing he'll be leaning over the Pont Alexandre and singing Edith Piaf.


If, like my darling man, you've never been to Paris; if you've always eschewed it in favour of Florida / Cowes Caravan Park / the Dargo Pub, this year might be the year to re-consider. Okay, so people like Gerard Depardieu are skipping out as fast as they can toss their Euros in a Jean de Florette bag, but the rest of the Parisians (the less wealthy ones) are remaining loyal to their grand and gracious city. 

Paris is a world of rooftops, love songs, lingering kisses and long bread sticks, but it's also a city of secrets and surprises. Just when you think you know Paris like the back of your right hand, it goes and shows you its Angelina Jolie leg.


In the light of the enormous popularity of the Flowers, Frocks and Horticultural Fantasies Garden Tour planned for England in May (NB we're about to liaise with everyone regarding this tour), The Library blog is now planning A Paris Affair

Designed especially for those who are unfamiliar with the City of Light, Love and Accented Letters, The Paris Tour will take you to those secret corners of the city that are 'classic Paris' as well as those that are whimsical, beautiful and memorable. 


There will be wanders through cobblestoned rues and quiet courtyards, afternoons in Montmartre, the Île Saint Louis and Saint Germain, browsing in bookshops, brocantes and design stores, meanders around food and flea markets, pauses in pretty, picture-perfect cafes and bistros, and gentle rests in glorious gardens. 


There will also be visits to several fantastic fashion and design museums, many of which go unnoticed, as well as insights into famous Parisians, including Miss Coco Chanel. (Plus visits to stores where you can buy some CC for a song.)

The emphasis is on 'creative Paris' – the design stores, the bookstores, the out-of-the-way places, the architecture, the gardens, the gorgeousness of it all.  We'll even show you the best places to photograph Paris. 

As well, there will be day trips to some of the most beautiful gardens you will ever see. Trust me. These are not to be missed. 


The itinerary is still being finalised, but the dates will be June 3-12, 2013. So do email me on janelle (dot) mcculloch (at) bigpond (dot) com (or here)  if you'd like some info, and we'll include you on The Interested List. As with the England Tour it will be land content only, so you can have flexibility with your airfares and your time before and after the tour. And as with the England Tour there will be treats!

 We do hope you'll come along. I suspect it will be a lovely week.




















18 comments:

  1. Ooooh what a wonderful collection of Paris images... A very happy new year to you Janelle - sorry have only just got back into the swing of things regarding blogging and visiting. So happy that you and your man are having a real Parisien honeymoon too - regarding relationships I always say that you cannot tick all the boxes all the time but hopefully more always remain ticked than unticked.... And the trip to Paris sounds fantastic - a real treat. Sarah x

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    1. Sarah, thanks for your lovely note. Can't wait to catch up with you in Wiltshire in May! x

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  2. I'm swooning over these pics of Paris! My husband and I are planning a trip there in either October or November of this year. Thanks to you, I'll be dreaming in French tonight!

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    1. So glad they inspirational. Hope you and your husband have a wonderful time in October. Paris is glorious in the autumn. Try and make it out to Versailles. The gardens are beautiful when the leaves change.

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  3. We do not play"rewards " in our 35 year marriage but it sounds like a brilliant idea!! What HAVE I been thinking? Your trip sounds fantastic. Lucky you!

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  4. I'm one of your readers who has not been to Paris ..or any other part of France. But love seeing all your images ..some old favourites there...It's funny I have been to other French speaking place Quebec, New Caledonia, Tahiti, maybe your tour ..

    Your post reminded me of a story my grandmother use to tell. My two Australian grandparents met each other in London in the 1920s. My grandfather had been married before.. (a familly trait ..lots of marriages) and my 21 year old grandmother was having second thoughts, her mother said to her "you dont have to marry him we could be in Paris by morning ". Granny should have listened to her.

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    1. Oh you would love it Stephanie! You should try to come with us in May or June.

      I laughed out loud at your story. What a fantastic grandmother! x

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  5. Oh Janelle this sounds wonderful. I have been going to Paris once a year for over 30 years but I would love to hear more about your trip, I am sure that you have so many wonderful place to explore that I do not know of. Lucky for my, my husband of 9 years and partner for 18 loves Paris as much as I do and is always ready to go whenever I want to. Sadly I am unable to convince him to retire in Scotland in a little cottage on a loch.

    Have a great day and a very happy NEw year!

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    1. You're on the list Elizabeth. Will send you more info this weekend. Do hope you can come with us. We'd love to have your style and charm to inspired us in Paris. x

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  6. Parisian trip sounds WONDERFUL. Dammit that I cannot do both.

    All relationships are based on compromise and reward!

    Hope you are well and happy xxx

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    1. Don't worry. We'll find something lovely for you. I tried to find something on the last trip, but it's difficult as you have such gorgeous taste! xx

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  7. I'm so happy for you! These photos are divine and I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip. Traveling is so wonderful!
    xo
    Sharon

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  8. Paris sounds like a brilliant idea, Janelle... and I know you will show the most beautiful sides of our beloved city..
    Let me know when you are in London... I would love to meet up... and maybe see one of the gardens with you... if it would work... anyway, I would just adore to meet you somewhere... xv

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    1. Would just love to see you Vicki. We'll be in touch and if you're in London at the same time perhaps we could have dinner together one evening? I'm sure everyone would love your company. x

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  9. Oh Janelle. How glorious. I am over-the-moon delighted for you and your romantic getaway. But this trip sounds sublime. The stuff of my dreams. I hope you do some more! J x

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    1. Hope you and your beautiful family get to travel soon too Miss Jane. Lovely to hear from you. Will email privately re The Book. xx

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Thank you for stopping by. It's always lovely hearing from The Library's readers.

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