Day One in Paris – New Venues and Lessons Learned
Our flight was late departing from LA, but landed ahead of schedule early Sunday morning, thanks to some très forte tail winds. This was our first time taking a non-stop flight, and I was a bit worried that 10+ hours crammed into a coach seat would be a bit of an ordeal. It wasn’t so bad, flight was very smooth and with a neck pillow and two glasses of wine (decent wine, no charge!) I was able to snooze off and on for a couple of hours. Claiming checked luggage at CDG was a bit of a melée, but the rest of the process through immigration and customs went quickly and smoothly; we were in a taxi and on our way to the apartment within an hour of wheels on the ground.
We first did some reconnaissance around the immediate neighborhood, and were delighted to find boulangeries and a multitude of fresh food sellers on Rue Rambuteau, just a couple of short blocks away. There’s even a nice-looking chocolate shop around the corner which we’ll definitely step inside once they’re open on Monday. But we mostly wanted to check out the Sunday Richard Lenoir open-air market and explore while the vendors were still open. We bought some beautiful cheeses from the vendor pictured above (sorry about the glare, just that kind of light yesterday), as well as some organic eggs for the week’s breakfasts. I wanted to get more pictures but the place was packed, and we were both getting testy from hunger and lack of sleep, so we did a quick once-through and got serious about finding some dejeunner.
For the flight and our first day, here’s my ensemble. Blue denim jeans, black EF long sleeved-tee over tank (for warmth). Black patent loafers, black leather jacket. For the flight I used my black “pashmina” shawl and then switched out to the smaller, lighter ruffle scarf for walking around. Weather is supposed to warm up a degree or two for the rest of the week, (and so far no rain in the forecast!) so I think the weight of the clothing I brought will be perfect.
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Oh this is wonderful – feels like we are there with you…. lovely photos of the market area/food stalls and love the ‘what you are wearing’ photo too… Could this daily clothing one be an each day one whilst you are en Paris? And thanks for mini style report of the area too… Look forward to rest of the week with joy!
Enjoy your stay in Paris, Pseu.
Le Marais is very casual and artsy indeed. The weather here in Brussels is fine too.
Have you checked out Agnès B allready? Is great for les petites.
You look très belle, I would also like to hear about your daily outfit.
I will be in New York for my honeymoon in the end of december and than on to Florida in januar.
So I am doing some serieus thinking about my pencil wardrobe.
How about the AZERTY? I have QUERTY in Holland, so I am gettung very confused.
Have fun!
You look great! A love of (and excitement with) life is apparent all over you. Hope your week turns out to be wonderful. Can’t wait to read more of your scoop on what the local are wearing.
Haha on the reminder to feed the hungry man (light foods) when jet-lagged. My desire to see everything would probably have taken over as well. Take care and Enjoy yourself!!!
I live in Munich and its is supposed to snow on Wednesday- so hope your weather holds out!
Nowadays one sees a lot of (quality) jeans worn with elegant jackets, shirts etc in more staid areas in Paris, and Parisians still look Parisian. But there are subtle style codes between tribes, social classes, generations and outlooks.
I remember a little Italian grocery on rue Rambuteau that becomes an “épicerie-restaurant” at night; don’t know if it is still there or if it still does that. It was good, casual and fun.
Glad your flight went well – our flights to Paris are much shorter of course; we’re basically just crossing the ocean, not the North American continent as well.
I’m glad my Richard-Lenoir (or Bastille) market rec was useful – though indeed it is always packed. It isn’t usually quite as busy on a Thursday, as people are working of course.
Ah, the joys of Parisian locks!
Sounds so wonderful! I’m e-mailing you some restaurant recs not far from where you’re staying!
La joie d’être à Paris est là dans votre beau sourire Pseu. Bon séjour, amusez vous bien et surtout bon shopping!!!
Orane
I love the black patent loafers. They look both chic and comforable, perfect for the amount of walking that you will do.
Zut Alors! Qui est la femme chic,avec les cheveaux Titienne pres la porte la-bas? Est-ce que Madame Pseu?? Elle est tres jolie dans les vetements noire et vin…(Can’t remember purple en francaise) et le petite “loafers” si reflective!! Elle est pour toute les ages, mais seulement une semaine magique a Paris (cette annee, bien sur!) Je vous quittez maintenant, je suis fatigue avec cette langue,(le pante, le pante, as the kitty in Pepe Le Pe would say)
Go. Ignore us. Have fun. We can hear about it later.
you look great. hopefully the weather will cooperate this week and temps will stay moderate.
your ensemble reminds me a bit of what i wore in italy in february…though i did not anticipate freezing temps and harsh winds in tuscany. i about froze.
looking forward to your pics and commentary through the week.
Great post! I can almost smell the Paris air, the crowds, the market (and, well yes, the occasional waft of sewer). I’m glad to hear how quickly you’ve settled into the apartment — this is definitely something we plan to do in future.
Miss Pseu looks tres jolie!
Great outfit; there’s no way you’ll not blend in with the French in it. I love the ruching on your scarf.
We rented an apartment just off of rue Rambuteau four years ago, and it was just ideal; we were about one block from the Pompidou. Wonderful neighborhood.
This is so sweet of you to take time out of your Paris trip to post. Love your outfit. You look soooooo French!!!!!
It sounds like the clothes that you packed will be perfect! You are so nice to think of us during your trip. It is fun to “travel along” with you!
Oh my goodness, I am so full of envy! Just the pic of those cheeses was enough to get my mouth watering … I also like the idea of you posting your outfits regularly.
That’s so true lagatta, their jeans and jackets just look different.
Feel better! (It takes me 3 days to really get turned around.) And fill your eyes, spirit and eventually tummy!
and Duchesse, pseu et son mari have crossed the North American continent as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Major jet lag!
My first meal is typically in one of those little Vietnamese restaurants one finds everywhere in Paris, precisely because the food doesn’t weigh too heavily, and because I’d rather spring for a fancier meal when my brain and tummy have recovered. But I’m usually travelling on a ludicrously tight budget. Not complaining, as at least I have to opportunity to get there fairly often.
Glou, from what I can see pseu has her own (presumably qwerty) laptop. My Québec keyboard is also qwerty, but has the accents you will find on the French azerty keyboard. I know both, but it can be tough switching over expecially when one is jetlagged.
Love any and ALL photos you are posting here!
Lagatta à Montreal
So you have the best of both ways.
I work and live in The Hague, Holland (querty), but from fridaynight till thuesday morning I am in Brussels, Belgium (azerty).
That makes me a bit confused from time to time.
You are right, Pseu has her own laptop.
And why I wrote pencil wardrobe, while I meant capsule, shoot me!
I enjoy Pseu’s Parisian diary very much.
Kind regards!