0 Mini Paris Monuments

 Paris has more monuments than any city on the planet...

 I was looking at the Paris bus guide (75+ buses) and one spread (Bus 42) could keep you busy for two weeks hitting the high points.

 Not all Paris monuments have to be monumental.

 Like the green Wallace fountains spotted around Paris.

 The presse kiosks and ad columns 'Colonne Morris' (mercimarie, Veronique).

 Metro signs are another fav mini monument.

 What about the French beret or street signs?

 Petit dejeuner is a well-loved Paris mini-monument.

 The ardoise/blackboard is another fav.

 Can a Paris mini monument be living, breathing?

 A demonstration is a not-so-mini Paris monument.

 The ubiquitous macaron - eaten before it hits the plane.

 French parfum is a mini monument you can bring home.

Paris monuments can come home with you on a mug!

What's your favorite Paris mini monument?

0 Melodies Graphiques!

C'est la rentree! R U ready? U will need an apple for the teacher (organic/bio svp) Chocolate pencils are a must-have from Patrick Roger. How do U say 'pencil sharpener' in French?

A lovely Eiffel tower pencil box - check

Lacy notes for teach when U'd rather stay bed - check.

Longer lacy notes for more elaborate excuses - check.

Postcards to send to yourself - check.

Quill pen + l'encre for handwritten notes to your boyfriend - check.

Lovely rubberstamps to decorate your envelopes - check.

Little felt mats to blot your pen points - check.

You can get all these essential back-2-school goodies at Melodies Graphiques on 10, Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe 75004, a unique calligraphie shop in the Marais.

For all chocolates - Patrick Roger.

Bonjour La Rentree!

0 The Paris Walk part deux

Previously I was absolutely certain the Parisian straight legged gait...
Was due to the stance of the Eiffel Tower...

Then I spotted Pres. Charles de Gaulle on Champs Elysees et voila!

Even Parisian 'walk' lights commemorate...

General de Gaulle...

Your average Parisian simply does not bend their knees when they walk...

It's a fact no one else has bothered to notice. None the less I'm convinced.

It would behoove you to wear US Converse shoes if you'd like to blend in whilst practicing the Parisian walk - a bit of a paradox no?

Here a French dad demonstrates the walk...

The son seems to be getting it.

Not much is required of the Parisian dog.

If they choose to bend or not bend at the 'knee' joint (if there is such a thing)it's of no consequence. C'est comme ca.

BONJOUR PARIS WALKS!

0 BEAR'S Last Day in Paris

BEAR is safely home in New York YAY!

Our last day in Paris was drizzly, overcast. Sunday, so no one was out which is always nice :) BEAR decided we must do a last quick run to Champs-Elysees. L'Arc de Triomphe. Crazy Parisian runners in the rain.
Last Parisien dog and a big one!

 Easter bears in a window.

Inside a not so dreamy 30-minute wait

For gooey pastries.

We waited 30 min only so BEAR could take a last Metro ride in a pastry bag.

BEAR suggested we take AirFrance Bus to Charles de Gaulle Airport since it's faster then the RoisseyBus especially if you go on Sunday morning.

We got there in 20 minutes with loads of time to browse duty-free.

BEAR badly wants a 'I was in Moulin Rouge' T-shirt.

I wanted a 'I was in Hermes' something or other.

We both wanted Hediards macarons.

In red boxes.

And Dalloyau's macarons.

Oh well you can't always get what you want  

BONJOUR HOME!