We all know about Paris in the spring – the lilacs, pleached limes and cafe society – but few people set out to explore this beautiful city in winter. I have been blessed with fine weather on my travels over the last couple of weeks, but by any standards today was a dreamy day to be in the French capital, otherwise known as The City of Light. As in London, the autumn has been mild, leaving the poplars and horse chestnuts on the banks of the Seine clinging onto their papery golden leaves.
They shone like amber against the rushing water and the hazy blue sky. Where leaves had been lost the bark appeared polished like pewter. There was just a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the distance as we rushed passed the magnificent Louvre towards the Place de la Concorde.
Where foliage had fallen it formed crisp piles on the fringe of paths and pavements, crunching underfoot. The fine architecture around the edge of the Tuileries Garden was revealed through the bare branches of the trees, the soft stone glowing gently in the warm sunlight. It was lovely to see Parisians and camera-toting tourists alike basking at the edge of the fountains and generally having a wonderful time. The stress of Christmas and the chill of winter felt a million miles away.
On the Left Bank the formidable facade of Saint-Sulpice, a church heavy with history (the Marquis de Sade was baptised here), was framed by dazzling blue sky and the fading foliage of plane trees.
Of course I was lucky – the weather could so easily have been cruel at this time of year. And there was no time to linger as we hiked between the city’s glittering food halls and chi-chi chocolatiers.
Paris was a place I was starting to become fond of, but is one I could very soon be falling in love with.
Categories: Travel, Trees and Shrubs
hmmmm, what a wonderful job – chocolates and Paris, the only think missing is a glass of bubbles! Enjoy and happy Christmas!
Mai’s Oui! We partook in some Bollinger no less, so our day was complete. It’s not a bad gig!
bolly…. you lucky lucky boy – I suppose someone has to do it……
Oh yes! I was in Paris in February and loved every minute of being there. The Louvre, the Marais, the Left Bank (including St Sulpice), and the Musee Guimet… loved it!
Do you know, I have never been to Paris apart from for work? So I have never really seen any of the sights. I’m saving them for a not so rainy day!
Wowzer! Quite a lovely place. Beautiful Scenes! Maybe, someday…
Happy Holidays to all across the pond! 🙂 Cheerz, Uncle Tree
Thank you for your lovely comment. I hope you get a chance to visit too. A very romantic and beautiful city. Merry Christmas!
Ah! and with the euro/rand exchange now at nearly double what it was on my last visit to Paris, will I EVER get there again, even though I have good friends who live in the Le Marais….???
That’s a bit of a bugger Jack. Sterling is pretty weak versus the Euro, so everything I’m Europe seems expensive to me too. Hope all’s well with you?