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-   -   Another fantastic December Paris adventure (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/another-fantastic-december-paris-adventure-1719170/)

TPAYT Dec 17th, 2023 07:32 AM

Another fantastic December Paris adventure
 
We have traveled to Paris many times in the warmer months but only once in December in 2018. It was such a success that we decided to do it again.

My husband, our daughter, and I rented an apartment off of Blvd. St. Germain in a lively area. Close to so many sites, shops, and restaurants, it was perfect.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f7d67c33a.jpeg
2 bedrooms, 2 baths, perfect for 3 adults

On arrival we went to Les Deux Magots for a tasty breakfast.
Touristy? Of course, but when in Rome (as they say)
Next up was Monoprix to stock up on a few apartment needs, coffee, wine, etc.
My cooking in Paris consists of making coffee while my husband goes to the bakery in the morning, And we counted 5 bakeries close by.

Our usual 1st night restaurant (La Jacobine) is closed on Monday so we took a chance and had dinner at Le Bistrot d’ Henri on Rue Princesse just down from our apartment.

What a find! Tiny restaurant but thankfully I reserved. The absolute best lamb chops I’ve ever had anywhere. Rib steaks, salads, Brie with honey, creme brûlée, apple pie, and boozie cherries all amazing.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d87b304e6.jpeg
Put this restaurant on your list
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9e3b78804.jpeg
Best lamb chops ever
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d34336df7.jpeg
Brie with honey
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b78a01409.jpeg
Check out the chef behind us….looks like the chef in Emily in Paris.

Very successful first day.
Wait until you see the rest of the week,, cooking class, fashion show, wonderful lunch at Le Train Bleu, and lots of other goodies.


SusanP Dec 17th, 2023 11:16 AM

Sounds like a great first day. Looking forward to more!

TDudette Dec 17th, 2023 01:18 PM

OMG, TPAYT! Fabulous start. More soon SVP.

Judy Dec 17th, 2023 01:24 PM

Did you rent the apartment from an agency? Sounds perfect!

ta3153 Dec 17th, 2023 01:53 PM

I’m hanging on your every word (and photo) TPAYT! We leave for Paris in three weeks and your report is like a preview of coming attractions.

KarenWoo Dec 17th, 2023 05:20 PM

Hi TPAYT, wow! Your apartment looks amazing. We stayed in the Blvd St. Germain neighborhood when we visited Paris in 2012. Love the area. So convenient. Your dinner sounds delicious. l LOVE lamb chops, and the boozier cherries are right up my alley! Your beautiful daughter looks like you!

Seamus Dec 17th, 2023 06:18 PM

What a great find - will put Henri's on the list for our next Paris visit (which can't come soon enough)
We've visite4d Paris in December a few times and while it is certainly a different experience than summer visits, each visit was terrific.
Do you have a link for the apartment, s'il vous plait?

john183 Dec 17th, 2023 06:31 PM

Wow!!! Sounds perfect. It’s great that you are able to travel with your daughter. Looking forward to more.

geetika Dec 17th, 2023 06:54 PM

Along for the ride, I can never get enough of Paris! Haven’t been in December in decades though, should plan a winter trip…

TPAYT Dec 17th, 2023 10:03 PM

Here’s the link to the apartment

https://www.vrbo.com/8410951ha?unitI...2Bhasc%2Bemail

Everything ran through an agency in Paris….GlamaParis. They were very attentive in every way.

https://glamaparis.com/

On the way to the airport so I’ll add more fun details in a day or two.

Guess what’s next?


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...91a6caffc.jpeg
Not everyone has pumpkin soup and pink champagne at
D’Orsay, do they?

coral22 Dec 18th, 2023 06:28 AM

What a beautiful trip report, I can't wait for more! Thanks for sharing! That apartment is an incredible find. We were there in October at Hotel le Clement which is very close by and loved that area.

Judy Dec 18th, 2023 11:17 AM

Thanks for the apartment link.....looks like a perfect location!

Looking forward to more tripdetails when you've recovered from the travel!

yestravel Dec 18th, 2023 11:27 AM

Thanks for the much needed Paris fix. Your apt looks lovely. I like it in the winter -- we used to go a lot then and it was never terribly cold. Like you we have a fav place to have lunch our arrival day, Chez Camille -- been a years long tradition. Time to get back to Paris-maybe fall after the Olympics are over.

willowjane Dec 18th, 2023 03:28 PM

Oh, I am loving this so far! I love a sweet Momma and daughter (and husband) trip! Wonderful!

Fleur_de_Lis Dec 19th, 2023 09:15 AM

Wonderful report - looking forward to reading more!

zebec Dec 19th, 2023 09:33 AM

What Fleur de Lis said. I'm always heartened to see families traveling together and having a good time.
TPAYT, did you folks ever eat at Brasserie Balzar? It is located somewhat close to where you were, near the Cluny muse.
Few realize that the museum was named for the famed actor Georges Cluny.

I am done. the TPAYT

Maribel Dec 19th, 2023 10:22 AM

TYPAT,
I'm really enjoying your report.
For us, Christmas-NYE time is a magical time to be in Paris. It's actually our very favorite time.

I just have a question----I love the look of your apartment and wondered how it compares in quality/amenities with the Paris Perfect apartments. Am I remembering correctly that you've stayed in Paris Perfect apartments in the past? Or maybe I'm confusing you with Stu Dudley or others. Your apartment looks really lovely and I like very much the location. How far in advance did you book?
Thanks so much, and please keep us entertained with your lovely photos!

TPAYT Dec 19th, 2023 12:14 PM

First I will answer your questions.

zebec….c’mon, George Cluny? I thought the Cluny Museum was built in 1350 and redone in 1510, a bit before George Cluny, or is Georges Cluny a Different guy?

yestravel….putting Chez Camille on our next trip list.

Maribel….This apartment was lovely and had everything we needed. I must say that Paris Perfect apartments are on a higher level, furnishings much more expensive.
We wanted to stay near Saint Germain and Paris Perfect apartments are more in the Eiffel Tower and also Place Dauphine areas.
We’ve usually stayed in apartments on Ile St. Louis (8 different ones) but unfortunately since the Notre Dame fire Ile St. Louis isn’t the same. Very quiet day and night.

We booked the apartment thru VRBO which then did everything thru Glamaparis Agency. They put us in contact with their car service to pick us up at CDG and that was perfect in every way.

TPAYT Dec 19th, 2023 01:08 PM

Day2….Our daughter had not been to D’Orsay so we had noon tickets. After viewing the stunning art we went to the cafe there for that pumpkin soup and pink champagne. Champagne in the middle of the day? Why not, we are in Paris!


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6bd819470.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8ea8b7141.jpeg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0c39412cc.jpeg

Next up The Tuileries Christmas Market.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bba126375.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6b8d76a60.jpeg
Purchased a scarf, or 4, some soap, bracelets, etc.etc.

The weather was so gorgeous. We took 3 umbrellas with us and never opened them once.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ba6575e6a.jpeg
Such blue sky in December
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a01391ec1.jpeg

Next up dinner on day 2 in another new place for us that we loved.

Trophywife007 Dec 19th, 2023 01:33 PM

Beautiful beginnings and looking forward to more. Thank you, TPAYT!


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