Two weeks in Paris and I’m exhausted. While far from the relaxing, market-parousing, museum lounging, and leisurely wandering I’d hoped to have for Le Grand Voyage, I can’t really complain seeing that the weight of what I’ll be doing with my life in the short term has been joyously determined.

Even still, I did manage to squeeze some of my favorite, and some new, things in. Here are a few of the things I loved most about my little séjour in Paris:

Macaroons

Sharing Paris with visiting friends means sampling local delicacies. After foie gras, gaspacho and fresh croissants, it was time to try a few macaroons. With so many patisseries and flavors to choose from, it’s almost impossible to argue who’s better than all the others. Sure some are always going to shine high above the others, but simply because they attract tourists and locals by storm, does not mean they are the best. At least, I’ve always been someone to be skeptical of mass hype. But showing Paris to first-time visitors was a chance for me to compare some of France’s most preferred macaroons. Ladurée and Pierre Hermé all made their way to my palate. But I was surprised and delighted to discover that Angelina is not just great with their hot chocolate. Their macaroons have the perfect balance of cookie and filling, sweetness and flavor, texture and freshness. Plus, they are a convenient addition to a picnic in Tuileries.

Angelina’s macaroons enjoyed in Tuileries with a view of Place de Concord.

New Restaurants

My little village in Provence has a few restaurants – most of which are closed for the winter. Sadly, eating delicious French cuisine did not make up a part of my time there and it’s likely I won’t ever stoke rice and pasta ever again. But Paris has an abundance of wonderful restaurants and you better believe I embraced it while I could! Greek, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Mexican and French restaurants contributed to my culinary happiness this trip and freed me from my dietary rut. Among my favorites was L’Ébouillanté, a little restaurant on Rue des Barres just off the Seine. Not only did they have a great ambiance, they also made the best savory crêpe I’ve ever had and can’t wait to try again. That says a lot being as up until that afternoon, I’d never had a savory crêpe I liked.

There’s a lot more where this came from! A sample of the wine selection at Le Bistrot de L’Entrecôte as recommended by Lindsey from Lost in Cheeseland.

Old Museums

I enjoy museums and Paris always has something new and exciting going on at a number of the their museums. In fact, it’s often too hard to decide which expositions to visit. But this trip I decided to visit one I hadn’t been to yet as well as an old favorite. Two weeks and two museums are rather scanty numbers for me but being that I just got accepted into an art masters program, I’ll let myself off the hook this time. Musée Cognacq-Jay, close to Musée Carnavalet (a Paris favorite), is a charming, little museum inside the house of the family that started Paris’ first department store, Samaritaine (sadly now out of business). The museum boasts the family’s wonderful collection of Romanticism paintings as well as décor popular from the late 1800′s, and makes for the perfect detour after a visit to Musée Carnavalet. Since it’s free there really is no excuse why I hadn’t visited before… and why you shouldn’t visit it soon!

The beautiful gothic ceilings of the small chapel inside Musée Cluny.

Exploring Gardens

Le jardin – Need I say more? Nothing is better than taking a break from whatever it is you’re up to and relaxing in a Parisian garden. Thank goodness there are so many! Tuileries and Luxembourg are usually the ones I pass through but this trip I added the beautiful Parc des Buttes Chaumont and a meander through the floral path along Boulevard Pereire in the 17th.

I feel like I’m gazing into an Impressionist’s painting! Little patch of garden along Boulevard Pereire.

As fast as I’ve been spinning, I’m looking forward to sitting down for a handful of moments and relaxing. Being in Paris is wonderful, but this week was a great reminder that life happens… even in this wonderful, timeless city!

Tagged as: Le Grand Voyage, Lists, Paris, Travel