Cultural and Historical Learnings of France.

So, I've been in Paris for 6 months now, I love the city. I really do. I love how beautiful it is, even in the driving rain. I love its quaint eaterys, cake shops and patisseries, restaurants of any cuisine you could imagine... (can you see a pattern here...)

OKAY I love food.

I get excited when I find a new blog showcasing Paris' newest boho coffee shop and automatically GoogleMap it and see their prices for their in-house cakes! I have an addiction. I don't think it will stop. But i need to broaden my Parisian exploring. What with work (and eating cake) I've sidelined the reasons why Paris is visited by so many millions a year. I know, slap me on the wrist.

So, I've made a deal with myself. Lean things about France, Paris and culture-y things, then reward oneself with cake. I think it's a fair deal.

Last weekend (free - museum Sunday! Many museums and galleries in Paris offer free entry on the first Sunday of every month! I KNOW! It's fantastic! But beware, this isn't a secret. Prepare to queue!)
was a weekend of cultural and historical learnings.

This Sundays trip was to Hotel des Invalides to have a look French war history. (Honestly, not much was learnt, other than they really like suits of armour) But the grounds were spectacular! I mean look here, there is the beautiful Tour Eiffel poking into the beautiful blue sky.

The Dome glistening golden in the beautiful sunshine. 

Napoleon. (one of the few left resting here in the Dome..) 

The main altar in the Dome. Everything is made with ornate marble and finished with beautiful gold. The reflection of the sun shining through the windows makes the inside glisten as much as the large golden dome outside that can be seen from all areas of Paris.

A Frenchy Fleur-de-Lis. 

A French Unicorns Helmet.  

After that historical lesson, we popped over the road to Musee Rodin. Sculptor and Painter. His work is just breathtaking. The gardens are full of hidden scuptures poking out of bushes and hiding behind trees. They blend in with nature. A perfect home for his work. Weathered and old, they tell stories.

We found this guy just contemplating in the sunshine. The Thinker. Hidden behind a few topiary trees amongst the rose bushes. 

And just look at the building itself. Truly beautiful. Placed in front of the beautiful sculpture garden. This place is truly an artists utopia amongst the hustle and bustle of a capital city. 

Paris has wonderful hidden gems like this. I want to see them all. 

Christmas Wishes.

So after a long weeks working, what did I decide to do at the weekend?
Go and do a little shopping... well window shopping as its not pay day yet!

So here are some of my Christmas Wishes.

But firstly, if you are in Paris, or decide to visit Paris for the festive season, you are in for a treat! There are so many markets to visit and everything is dressed up nice and pretty!!
Head down to the Champs Elysée for a traditional Christmas Market. Starting at Concorde and working its way up to Champs Elysée Clemenceau. On the way stop off for a lovely glass of vin chaud (in a keeps sake glass!) and lots of tasty treats.

La Defense also haws a glorious market right underneath the Grande Arche selling arts and crafts as well as food and other things, and if you get cold you can always pop into the shopping centre for some retail therapy for yourself!

There are some other great markets around, St Germain-des-Pres, Place des Abbssess, Trocadero Gardens- Where there is an ice-rink i hear- (will check it out this weekend and let you know!) So lots you can see and do.

But, for the hearty Christmas shopper, unafraid of crowds, who doesn't get the crazy shopping sweats, and doesn't mind being pushed around in a mob like mentality, then head down to Galeries LaFayette. It has some of the most stunning decorations I have seen!

If you have never been to Galeries LaFayette before, think Selfridges London, mixed with Macys NYC with a bit of Harrods class in the main hall, and here is where you can find all your Christmas wishes... :)





So here is my Christmas wish, and wish it will stay I'm sure. But hey, a girl can dream.











But remember, when we are going crazy trying to find the right gift, pushing people for the last roll of your favourite wrapping paper...queuing for over an hour in some over priced store.......