You are in Paris, you want some flowers for the apartment...where to go? Or, you want to visit some of the nicer ones.

From the book by Paris model and muse Ines de la Fressange:

Arome Paris - 196, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine 75012
Lachaume - 10 rue Royale 75008
Moulie Fleurs - 8 Place du Palais-Bourbon 75007
Odorantes - 9 rue Madame 75006
Dani Costes Dani Roses - 239 rue Saint-Honore 75001

I can't imagine traveling for flowers, mainly because I am usually rushing to a friend's house for dinner and just duck into a flower shop on the way to the Metro. ;-)

I love that no matter how much you spend (and we were cheap when it came to our apartment flowers), they wrap them up so beautifully.

That sounds like an interesting book - thanks for posting.

Monceau Fleurs has apparently become the biggest chain in the world, and when I see their prices and the variety that they offer, I can see why.

You will see them everywhere in Paris.

slightly off topic, when we were in Rouen [i think] there were loads of shops full of the loveliest silk flowers.

left to me, the car would have been full of them, but sadly, we had to bring our kids home instead!

Thanks Michel_Paris. I will use this list for our trip next year to Paris.

The first thing I do when we arrive at our apt rental in any given town is to buy fresh flowers. Not everywhere has a vase so we have had to get creative, plastic soda bottle with the top cut off, plastic glass, water pitcher etc.

In Paris we headed over to Place Louis Lepine for their flower market and stumbled upon the most beautiful orchid shop there. Dozens upon dozens of the most gorgeous orchids I have ever seen. I took a dozen pics to show everyone at home. Words alone couldn't describe them. Thanks again.

Last time I visited my sister who was in an apartment in the 16th decided to being flowers. Stopped at the local shop, picked some out and she asked: are these for a gift? Yes. And off she went with silk bows and trimming and all. I reminded myself: this is why I love this place.

I am in Paris right now. As I was waiting for the bus this morning near my apartment, I saw a huge truck from the Netherlands parked in front of Monceau Fleurs. This evening I was waiting for the bus again and saw a sign at the florist for tulips, 2.50 euros.

yes nikki, we can get these too.

but I prefer the ones I pick early in the morning with the dew still on them. they are so FRESH!

95% of the flowers sold in France are imported from the Netherlands -- that goes for most of the other European countries as well. (Of course, many are not grown in the Netherlands - right now, most things are flown in from Kenya, South Africa and Iran (roses).

Picking tulips now, Ann? I expect that when I get home to Massachusetts Monday night I will be lucky if I can see the ground, although my husband tells me much of the snow has melted.Maybe we'll see tulips in a month or so.

I would love it if my daffodils bloomed closer to Easter but they are in full bloom right now. Hundreds of them, it's a good year. Yellows, whites, peaches. They're beautiful. I have vases full of them right now but not a one will be in bloom on Easter weekend, especially with it being so late this year. Sigh...

Picking tulips now, Ann?>>

picking daffs, but tulips not quite yet.

those will need another week or two.

we should still have some daffs at easter - pheasant eye narcissus are the last to bloom., and are usually around in May.

Daffodil season is already almost finished in Paris - they are in full bloom right now in the parks and along the expressways.

That must be beautiful!

michele - they are lovely here too. the verges and many fields [either for bulb or flower production] are bright with them.

the Nat trust house Llanhydrock has a long path that is lined with daffs, and Cotehele [pronounced "Cot'eel"] has a daffodil festival most years.

all good reasons for coming to Cornwall in the spring.