Valentine's Day in Paris

Paris and romance are a natural pairing... how about booking a private guide for a very special shopping tour on Valentine's Day, or, for a foodie-cultural combo like an Eiffel Tower visit plus a wine and cheese tasting, or, an Eiffel Tower visit plus a romantic dinner?

Maybe you would love to spend a relaxed mid afternoon savoring the richest, best hot chocolate in Paris, a sweet thought that!

Contact Your Great Days in Paris, s.peabody@verizon.net for Valentine's Day or any day in Paris. You want your time to be memorable, for the right reasons!

Delish Veggie Food in the Haut Marais

Paris is upping its game on the number and quality of vegetarian and vegan restaurants that offer gluten free or other dietary options that taste great and look appealing.

Café Pinson, in the Upper Marais, is one of the newest in a quality emerging field. Hip design, carefully made dishes, a bit of creativity.  This is a great address to put on your 'should try' list.

Café Pinson is mostly vegan and gluten free.  There is a selection of raw dishes on offer plus a fresh juice bar.  Bread is crusty and good but is not gluten free. The chef is currently working on a recipe for gluten free bread. Risottos and dishes based on fresh fruits and quality vegetables abound.  Dishes are not drowning in cheese... this is a sophisticated little spot with a warm welcome.
Café Pinson does a nice Sunday Brunch including savory Madeleines, slow cooked eggs, a vegetable mousse, raw or cooked granola, fresh juice, and a tasty spread made with raw hazelnuts. Brunch has become all the rage in Paris and this is a good place to settle in and enjoy..
Café Pinson
6 rue de Forez, Paris 3
Metro: Filles du Calvaire
Open 9AM to 7PM, Monday to Friday
Saturday 10AM to 7PM
Sunday 10AM to 5PM
http://www.cafepinson.fr

France Through Eyes of Faith over Easter...

If you are searching for an unusual gift for an 'enspirited' friend or person you love, consider our intimately scaled France Through Eyes of Faith tour starting on Good Friday in Paris, 2013.

This excellent experience is guided by Sally Peabody and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Rand Peabody, of Your Great Days in Paris and Turkish Journeys.  We are joined by an expert medievalist in Paris and Chartres, and, an expert guide in Angers who reveals the beauties and secrets of the astonishing 14th century 'Apocalypse Tapestries' and the luminous 20th century Chant du Monde Tapestries.

Our last day we visit Reims to tour the lovely gothic Notre Dame de Reims and the pre-gothic St. Remy Basilica. We toast our time together in France with a more contemporary spirit, after touring one of the grand Champagne caves such as Taittinger or Pommery.

Email sally at s.peabody@verizon.net for more details or look at the tour description on www.yourgreatdaysinparis.com

Take A Holiday Stroll Down a Great Boulevard....

The Champs Elysées is hardly off the beaten path in Paris. But, at Christmas time, this bustling boulevard is picture perfect for sparkling, romantic Christmas lights, a Marché du Noel, Christmas trees and more pretty, festive, seasonal delights.   The Arc de Triomphe and the Grande Roue are both lit and serve as 'anchors' to one of the world's most impressive streetscapes.

Start from the top and meander downhill. At Rond Point, bright blue and white 
lights at all the corners are impressive indeed. From that point, the annual Christmas Market begins, running along both sides and the entire length of the Champs-Elysées, all the way down to the Place de la Concorde, which is home to a huge Christmas tree.The Christmas market features artisans selling a large variety of intriguing gifts.
Paris being Paris, of course there are food and drink vendors selling everything from sausages to chocolates to hot spiced wine.
There are tables and outdoor heaters set up for comfort. Don't want to shop or eat? Have kids in tow?
There's a skating rink and a giant slide.  There's a giant mailbox for letters to Santa and kids will surely love the Petit Train du Pére Noel.
The market is open daily until January 6th.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 11p.m.  Weekends, the market is open until midnight.  

And if the Champs Elysées isn't enough, head over to see the dramatic lights and decorations at the Galleries Lafayette and Printemps along Haussmann.

The Best Gift... Paris For the Holidays

Check out my new article, just posted, titled 'The Best Gift: Paris For the Holidays' on Bonjour Paris.

This magical city ramps up the festivity and its innate beauty in late December... enjoy!

http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/best-gift-paris-holidays/

A taste of Portugal in the Marais

Off course you want to over-indulge in fantastic French patisserie while you are in Paris.  Just in case you crave something a little different... Comme a Lisbonne is a wonderful small shop located on the rue de Roi de Sicile in the Marais with a fine collection of Portuguese specialties, including those irresistible eggy, creamy Pasteis de Nata tarts.  I love Portugal and often travel there for personal trips.  Pasteis de Nata are classic Portuguese sweets and they are mildly addictive when made well. If you can't get to the source at the Pasteis de Belem bakery in Lisbon, stop in at Comme A LIsbonne in Paris to try these. Perfect, perfect, perfect with a cup of Portuguese style espresso.

Comme A Lisbonne also sells a small but well curated selection of Portuguese foods and conserves. A great little shop. Check it out.

Comme a Lisbonne
37 rue de Roi de Sicile, 75004
Metro: Hotel de Ville
Open 11AM to 7PM, Tuesday to Sunday

Angelina's Chocolat Chaud at Galleries Lafayette for the Holidays

Lovers of lethally rich chocolat chaud certainly know Angelina's famed Parisian salon where the 'Chocolat Africaine' is justly famed along with the chestnut puree and cream Mont Blanc pastry. Yum. Angelina's is going to be offering a holiday season pop-up cafe on the highest floor of the Galleries Lafayette 'Grand Magasin' where the hot chocolat, Mont Blanc, and a well curated selection of other sweet treats will be featured. November 12 through December 31 only.

If you are walking by the Grands Magasins... Galleries Lafayette, Printemps, et al to see their beautiful windows and holiday illuminations, maybe to do some shopping, stop in at the seasonal Angelina's for a treat.

And of course, you can always visit the classic Angelinas on the rue de Rivoli.