Friday flânerie

Yesterday was my first day of enjoying Fridays all to myself in Paris! I decided to name them Friday Flâneries.

Flânerie is strolling without a specific purpose, going forward without hurry. In other words, it's my favorite thing to do in Paris. Walking around, exploring, taking pictures, being able to stop for awhile or change course -- all as the mood strikes me.

I set out for the Marais to do some exploring. I had my iPod and my camera and I felt ready for anything.

First stop: PAUL, for one of their fabulous sesame camembert sandwiches. I ate at the outside tables and watched people go by.


After lunch, I just started walking.

I passed a little café with these cheerful chairs out front.

I passed a high school, where the kids were all leaving for (or coming back from) lunch.

A peek into a little courtyard. One of my favorite things is happening onto these courtyards, it's like a happy little surprise.

A bookshop.

I wasn't hungry when I passed this pâtisserie, so I just took pictures. But later, when I looked at the pictures, I noticed the caramel eclairs! I would have bought one if I had noticed, I've never seen caramel ones before.

I love Parisian flower shops. They have such a way. And the rose petals on the ground really caught my fancy.

I went down a street that I had read about. I wanted to go to a store that was purported to have beautiful tea towels (something I love to collect), but it is no longer there. I did find a store with used silver pieces -- beautiful, expensive silver pieces. In the window they had bracelets fashioned out of old silver spoons and forks that had been flattened and curved. They were very reasonably priced and I was quite interested in them, but the owner told me that her inventory was very low and she was expecting more that were even better. I decided to go back another day.

Then I went to a wonderful store that Amy Hanks told me about: Entrée des Fournisseurs. I loved it! I spent over an hour looking at their beautiful ribbons, buttons, yarns, fabrics, and patterns.


I bought some wool felt, two small embroidery books with really cute patterns, an iron-on bird applique made of Liberty fabric, and a little bit of ribbon.

I sat for awhile in this park in the Place des Vosges, resting my legs and people-watching. I found it interesting that sitting on the grass is allowed in this park, pretty unusual for parks in Paris. There was a great cross-section of people.

Some of the songs I listened to. Riding the metro and walking around the city is entirely different while listening to music. A couple of times I was startled when someone spoke to me and I had to take my headphones out.

I found a large grocery store and went in to look for a few things I haven't seen in my local stores. There were many many things I wanted to buy: a ruffled scarf for me (they didn't have a color I liked, but I looooved the style), some clothes for Eva, notebooks...

I took this picture for you, Patsy. Also one of the butter aisle and one of the two yogurt aisles.

Again, I love the architecture here. See that sky? It was 75 degrees and fairly humid, and yet everyone was walking around in coats and scarves. I am not even kidding. I was wearing a short-sleeved blouse and I was sweating like crazy. France!

Suddenly, I realized that I had been meandering around for 5 hours and that I was exhausted. My legs and feet were tired, and I was just done.

I was so happy to see the metro. I went home and surprised Marc (he thought I would be gone longer). Then I fell asleep on my bed. So I even got a nap in the mix! What could be better? Maybe next time I'll schedule a movie for myself so I don't get worn out from walking.

Oh yes, I love Fridays in Paris.