Paris Views

Christmas trees outside Saint Sulpice church in Paris.

Greetings From Paris

I usually post the view from my room, but this time I’m facing the interior courtyard, and it’s pretty drab. So instead I’ll share some images from my first day in Paris.

 Coffee and tartine with butter at Les Deux Magots in Paris. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

I landed early in the morning after a 10½ hour flight from Los Angeles. The drive from the airport was a grind, took an hour and half! Once I dropped my luggage at the hotel, it was still too early for lunch but I was starving. So coffee and tartine at Les Deux Magots was a perfect way to kickoff my visit.

Fontaine de Medicis in Jardin de Luxembourg. December 2018. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

I’ve learned that the best way to minimize jet lag is to get outdoors in the natural light and walk as much as possible. So I spent several hours on foot, camera in hand.

Everything was peaceful and everyone seemed to be going on about their business as usual. In this part of the city, there was almost no indication of the disruptive weekly protests that have dominated the news. (I did notice one bank had boarded up their windows, but that was it.)

Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, in December. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

I was blessed with gorgeous weather: sunny and crisp, well above freezing. The light this time of year here is magnificent!

Winter in Paris: Saint Germain street scene. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

I wandered from Jardin du Luxembourg up to the Seine…

Looking across the Seine from the Left Bank to the Louvre. Paris in December. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

I wanted to check out the animated holiday windows at Le Bon Marché. They are fabulous, but the afternoon light threw such a glare on the windows I couldn’t get a decent image. So I’ll try again either at night or early in the morning. In the meantime, here’s the instagram I shared from the inside. Enjoy!

I’m hoping to get a good night’s sleep tonight and hit the ground running in the morning. More tomorrow…

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36 Comments

  1. I really enjoy your blog, but this is the first time I’ve commented. Just had to say that those photos of Paris are so beautiful, I wish I was there, something I wouldn’t have thought I’d say after recent events. Hope you have a wonderful time !

  2. At least the courtyard is pretty much guaranteed to be quiet. And although the area around les Jardins du Luxembourg is affluent, it isn’t typically a target for casseurs, as les Champs and the 8th-16th are. You were lucky to have a sunny day.

  3. Such lovely photos, Susan. I’m so glad you are able to walk about in good weather. In your June posts from France, you included photos of clothing shop windows to show what was current (hope you do this during this trip). Since you and I wear glasses, could you snap some shots of optician shop displays? Thanks and always safe journeys.

  4. What a treat to wake up to !! Your photo’s are fantastic. We are traveling vicariously through you. Where was the first photo taken, the one of the tower ?

  5. Thank you for the beautiful photos and allowing us to travel along with you. The interior photo of Le Bon Marche’ reminds me of department stores here in the USA from my youth. Those memories feel like Christmas!

  6. What an absolute treat! Being your invisible travelling companion is one of the biggest joys of following your blog and on Instagram. So grateful for your good weather. Keep the juicy photos coming, and live it up for all of us!

  7. I felt like I was there with you taking every step. So gorgeous and magical! Can’t wait to hear the next report. For someone like me who started working in department stores at 16 and has spent much of my 30+ Image consulting career shopping in them with clients, the floating trees in the store took my breath away. I’ll be watching that video over and over again! Thank you!

    1. You would love the Australian film, Ladies in Black, about a department store in the 50-60s. It’s a gorgeous reflection.

      1. I second that recommendation. It is a lovely movie that brought back wonderful memories of shopping in department stores as a kid.

  8. Lovely photos of a beautiful city. The airiness of the lighted trees floating in the mall is stunning. Glad you’re finding things “normal” in spite of the upheavals Paris is currently experiencing.

  9. Beautiful photos! We are leaving for Paris next Tuesday on our way to St. Petersburg. It’s our first time there and we only have 4 days. Please give me your thoughts on what to see. We are not much for lines and prefer to visit places the locals enjoy. Any suggestions?

  10. Love reading your posts from Paris and the beautiful photos. Thank you so much for sharing your travels and expert eye for fashion. Have a wonderful trip and safe travels always.

  11. So glad you arrived safe! The sun is out and the weather look gorgeous—what could be better! Have a wonderful time. Wish i were there too. X

  12. Oh la la! Beautiful and nothing like good weather when you get off a long haul flight, makes it soo easy to walk and enjoy the sights, the best way to avoid jet lag.

  13. If you get over to Galleries Lafayette Hausmann, snap some pictures for me. I have always wanted to visit the store at Christmas time, but I haven’t been in Paris at the right time.

  14. Your first day in Paris looks fabulous- and inspiring.i am following you closely as we will arrive January 2nd and I am so excited. Keep posting please.

  15. The way your posts are written, it makes it sound as if this was a solo visit (which can be a balm for a longterm couple), but I was certain before that you were with Monsieur pseu. Not that it is any of my business whatsoever; just that it makes for a different kind of trip.

    There is so much beautiful light, and calm, in this set of photos.

    By the way, you may well know that they got the terrorist in Strasbourg…

  16. Love the posts of Paris you have sent – Bon Marche is one of my favorite stores to visit – but I do have a concern about the protestors – I know you are being careful about where you are going but stay safe!

  17. The light is your photos takes my breath away! Just stunning – thanks for these photos – they have cheered up a gloomy midwestern day.

  18. Susan, your photos are beautiful. Would you mind sharing what kind of camera you use and are you a professionally trained photographer?

    1. Thanks so much, Elizabeth. These photos were taken with a Sony 6500 and a 16-70mm lens (mostly on auto settings). I am not professionally trained as a photographer, though it was a hobby when I was younger.