Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Paris in the Spring


I've been to Paris twice, but the last time was fifteen years ago, when the Husband and I visited as part of a first-anniversary backpacking trip around Europe. It's high time we went again, don't you think? 

We'll have our kids in tow this time, and we're excited to show them some of the sights we remember fondly. We'll stay for five days over spring break, and we'll be driving there, which will feel a bit strange. As you can see from my stack of Paris-related books and dvds, we'll be focusing on food, shops, art and design, and a couple of markets.

A few notes on the books: Taschen's Paris is a huge, hefty tome, full of gorgeous photos of lush places--many, but not all, of them out of our budget.  It's a nice coffee table book that just makes you want to get to Paris, right away, whether you make it to many of the featured places, or not.

If you're a designer or stylist, Paris: Made by Hand is lovely, but it's also a nice guide to shops that can be appreciated by the casual crafter or design afficionada.

I've used the books of Rick Steves since my first time in Europe, way back in 1989, and Rick rarely disappoints. He's not a shopper, but he loves art, and his pithy museum tours are especially helpful. 

At an OxFam shop in London, I picked up a cheap copy of StyleCity Paris, part of a British series on cities in Europe. The photos of hotels, shops, and restaurants are very enticing, indeed, and I like that they're arranged by neighborhood.

I'll be back again with more info on the other books in the photo, plus another one I have in my purse. Of course, many photos should be forthcoming, about a week and a half from now!

13 comments:

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour,
OH yes,it is high time for another Parisienne adveture! You will have so much fun with the kids. There is really alot to do here as a family. I have a little travel business here, if I had known you were coming I would have been more than happy to send you any info you needed!!!
Bon voyage - the weather has been beautiful!
Mimi

Carrie said...

Oh my goodness! Can you feel the waves of jealousy?? Paris is the number one city on my must-see list. I hope you have a fabulous time! Take lots of pictures. I'll be living vicariously through you! ;)

RMb said...

thank you for the list of books about paris! i've never been to there & i want to visit someday. i'll totally check these books out. :)

vmichelle said...

That's so great! I'll be living vicariously through you until I get to go. And I can't wait to see your highlights.

figwittage said...

Take me! Take me! Someday, I'll make it to Paris :) Eat some delicious pastries for me (I hear they're delish!)

Tess Kincaid said...

I'm sooo envious. And love-love Rick Steves. Make sure you see some wonderful art!

Duchess of Tea said...

The kids will love Paris. I am going to be in Paris the entire month of July visiting my family.
Wishing you an early safe trip and good times.

Duchess

Anonymous said...

can i sneak into France in your luggage? :)

thanks for the title descriptions -- Paris: Made by Hand would suit me quite well. what a pretty book!

jacqueline said...

I have never been to Paris and i hope one day to visit it with my mister. :) Ive always love everything about europe and hope to one day live there. Have a wonderful trip and i am so looking forward to read all about your adventure in Paris! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to yoU!

Di said...

I hope you have/had a fabulous time in Paris - got ice cream from Berthillon and found some handmade "guimauve" - marshmallows and wandered an amazing food market - my favourite things in Paris - well apart from everything else of course!

Relyn Lawson said...

I so much want to read Paris Made By Hand. But, I have a general rule to not buy a book I haven't already checked out extensively. So, tell me? Would anyone not going to Paris want the book? Is it full of eye candy?

Hausfrau said...

Thank you all for the happy-travel wishes! We had a great time.

Relyn, I don't think I'd buy Paris Made by Hand if you aren't planning a visit to Paris anytime soon. It's a small book with not that many photos, and while it's nice to look through, I'd buy other Paris books if I was mostly after eye-candy.

Anonymous said...

Wish I could go. But I think I have to travel only by book... We were also thinking of going to Paris with the children and show them how great it is. But our time schedule is so tight at the moment!
Enjoy!
Yvonne

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