What is your fondest memory
 

of the best cafe, best dinner, best view, best store, best deli, best pastry shop, best bottle of wine, best walk, best museum that pops into your mind when you recall PARIS?

When my wife and I first visited Paris years ago we spent our first day relaxing (getting over jet lag) in Luxembourg Gardens. We had a light lunch, couple glasses of wine, and simply people watched. It was a pleasant Sunday afternoon, and just one of the moments we remember and talk about often. It has become our routine every time we visit now.

Doing the after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums and being almost alone in the Sistine Chapel and throughout the tour.

Watching our children "sail" boats on the pond in the Tuileries.

1st trip to europe. on my birthday in barcelona at the med. beach. wife says 'your birthday present is right behind you'. sure enuf...in european fashion it's a topless beach.

A weekend with my husband in this apartment http://www.paris-apartment-rent.com/.../abbesses.html we have spent an entire night watching the Eiffel Tower shining at each hour while we were having some champagne on the bed... It was magic.

On our first visit to Paris, having a wonderful dinner on our first night at the excellent Bistro Au Bon Accueil; then strolling over to the Eiffel Tower just 2 minutes away. By now it was twilight and just by chance we were standing right beside the tower as the night lights came on - everyone started clapping and cheering; it would bring a smile to the face of the most jaded tourist; just magical.

So, so many, but the first that comes to mind is New Year's eve, December 31, 2007. Our dear friends came to Paris from Edinburgh during our visit there and we had a wonderful dinner, then walked to Notre Dame. We drank vin chaud in front of the Cathedral as midnight struck and hundreds of us cheered. Even after so many trips to Paris, I couldn't believe I was there, on that night, in that spot, with those friends (and my DH, of course!)

Seeing the Eiffel Tower at night as we got off a canal cruise. It was only breifly. This is one of the things i watt to do when we return. Thus time with DH. I cant wait.

Only 12 more days !!

Walking back to our apartment in Paris on Rue St. Louis en Ile from the bridge while listening to Tim--the sax player from London--play "I Wish You Love". It was a warm night in Sept. and the music was wafting over the water and following us home.

Now every time we are in Paris we make sure to see Tim, toss him a few Euros, and request "I Wish You Love".

We leave tomorrow for another Paris adventure.

wow keep them coming such wonderful memories Paris!

I have Luxembourg Gardens at the top of my list for Fall in Paris. I have been to Paris many times so I don;'thave to do the Louvre etc....this time pure relaxation-no running ariund from site to site. just enjoying my favorite city in the world-again...

One of my favorite memories of Paris was my SIL's. We were on the metro and I was looking elsewhere and she gave a little yelp, as though she had just received the most magnificent gift. She had, it was the Eiffel Tower, all a-twinkle against the cold night.

Taking my son Turin to Turin, Italy for his 21st birthday. When kids get to that age they don't really want to spend time with Mom and it was such an amazing trip. We ate at a restaurant called Flu (HIGHLY recommended if you are in town). He had not smiled like that in years. It was magical!

Waking up each morning and popping across the street to Poilane for a pain au chocolat. annie

Walking through Place de Vosges in May and flirting with a really handsome Frenchman. I had just ended a long term relationship, feeling lonely and was in the most romantic city in the world...alone. It made me feel really great, he was really handsome and Paris is really wonderful. I can't wait to go back.

Watching my 7 years old grandaughter face when she visited Rome for the first time....

She had a great time exploring the Roman Forums,sitting around the edges of Trevi Fountain,visiting the beautiful churches..Even at that early age she recognized and loved beauty and I saw true her eyes the beauty that my beloved city had to offer.

Since then she came to Rome with me five times and we are going back again this month.

However,I will always remember the delightful reaction of the first time she saw Rome.

..oops..-through her eyes--

I absolutely loved the Musee D'Orsay. It was just the perfect museum for me as I love impressionist art.

As for food, I can still taste the poulet et fromage crepes at the little corner outdoor stand across the the main plaza in Place Saint-Michel,Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm

Two things really stick out when I think of our trip to Paris (my wife and I took our 13 year old granddaughter). The first was a stroll across the Pont Alexander III bridge and down the right bank of the Seine towards the Louvre after visiting the Invalides. Just after crossing the bridge, we went down the stairs on the right bank to the sidewalk next to all the houseboats. The view back towards the Eiffel Tower poking up between the beautiful lamp posts on the bridge is fantastic. We then had the sidewalk to ourselves as we slowly strolled past all the houseboats, each of us picking our favorite.

The second is a dinner we had at the Cafe Varenne where our waiter had to act out the type of dish on the menu for us because our granddaughter wanted beef but it was "finished" for the day. He flapped his arms, jerked his head back and forth and went "coo coo' to describe the pigeon which she refused to try. He then walked around saying "baa baa" which she also refused. I can't remember what she finally ordered but we had a blast trying to figure it out.

On our first trip to France we stayed in Montparnasse. Our kids were young, ages 7 and 10, and settled right in. My favorite memories are of a restaurant that we ate dinner at 3 times. We were the only tourists there, and the first night got a couple of glances. But the other two nights we were welcomed as if we lived there. I can't explain it, but it was just one of those things that sticks in your mind as being so comfortable and so right:)