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Parisian Shops Sparkle with Festive Cheer!
As the holiday season wraps Paris in its festive embrace, the city’s shops dress up in their holiday best, turning each street into a shimmering tableau of Christmas cheer. There’s a unique kind of magic in the air as you wander through Paris during this time of year, a magic that’s reflected in the windows of each boutique and department store. Our journey of festive discovery began on the bustling Boulevard Saint Michel. With each step, we were greeted by a new vision of holiday splendor, from twinkling lights to elegantly adorned windows, each store offering a unique interpretation of the holiday spirit. The path led us to the grandeur…
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A Century Apart – Parisians Succeed in Spite of Themselves…
Parisians, like most of us, sometimes succeed in spite of themselves. This is nowhere more true than in the controversies surrounding two of the most iconic Parisian landmarks, exactly 100 years apart. I’ll take the second one first. I. M. Pei’s Pyramid at the Louvre. Set square in the middle of what might be the most beautiful building in the world is a space age glass pyramid emerging from the courtyard. Its glass and metal structure couldn’t be more different than its settings if it were a fish on Mars. But here’s the thing… unlike (presumably) a fish on Mars, Pei’s Pyramid fits, it actually enhances its surroundings, helps to bring the Louvre to…
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Place des Vosges: A Parisian Jewel Through the Lens
Amidst the heart of Paris lies a square that whispers stories of the past and hums with the vibrancy of the present — the Place des Vosges. As Vince and I mulled over which Parisian treasure to unveil next, the significance of this particular place became undeniably clear. It was never just about presenting the architectural splendor or recounting the history etched within its walls. It was about capturing the essence of life that pulsates through the square — the laughter and leisurely pace of passersby, the playful chatter of children, and the eager anticipation of diners at the brink of culinary discovery. The Place des Vosges is a canvas…
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Go for a swim! (Or Not!)
Now that it’s turning cold no one in their right mind would want to jump into the Seine, the river that traverses Paris and splits the city between the Left Bank (Rive Gauche on the south) and the Right Bank (Rive Droite on the north). While it’s still beautiful in the winter, with its blue / green hue and the wonderful stone banks with the walking paths, it’s not really that inviting. However tempting it might be, jumping in is not recommended… indeed it’s probably illegal. If the desire to do your best Russell Crowe or Geoffrey Rush impression is too much to resist, there are some public pools actually…