PARIS EYE CANDY, PART ONE

It’s been over ten days so far of non-stop eating, walking, sipping, viewing, shopping and people-watching (not to mention a trip to Normandy, which I will show you later), and I’ve only allowed you one drop in an ocean of goodness.

So, here’s just a glimpse into our day-to-day Paris.

Eye Candy Supreme.

Let’s start with something to eat, shall we?

Paris is a town of macarons with Pierre Herme and Laduree jostling for the prime  spot, but countless other bakeries and chocolatiers make their own as well — and I’ve yet to encounter a stale or unworthy-of-my-limited-stomach space (although Herme’s yogurt and mandarine has been my favorite thus far).

Here’s just a partial selection at Le Grand Epicerie (more on that spot later, too).

Or are you more of a pastry person?

If so, I’ve got something for you.

Witness an eclair made with Valrhona chocolate and filled with  the most divine chocolate custard (from Maison Morange Boulanger on Rue Mouffetard).

And yes, I can tell you categorically that it is okay to eat that first — and then the sandwich from the same place.

Who cares the eating order? It’s why it’s called a vacation, right?

(And vacations are really lovely when they include panini like these with aged goat cheese, prosciutto, mixed greens, tomato and vinaigrette on a baguette loaded with grains and nuts).

Okay, maybe it’s time to work off a little bit of this excess.

Let me show you a park you might not have been to: Parc Monceau.

It’s roughly a twenty minute walk from L’Arc de Triomphe in the 8th arrondissement, and it felt like a neighborhood  park — but here’s a question.

Does yours have an entrance like this?

Or open up to views like this?

Or this?

It was such a sweet, sleepy park and we loved relaxing here for a spell.

Here they had life-sized bottles of wine and aperativos with modified signs scattered throughout the gardens

and I particularly liked this one.

And how would you like to have an apartment that looks out on all of this?

And the above house on the left actually opens up onto this street.

Take a look.

This is one home, people.

Words fail.

Perhaps one last nibble will refresh.

Forget the lines at Eiffel Tower or the arduous climb up the Arc de Triomphe — some of the best panoramic views of the city are available from the 9th floor rooftop of Printemps department store.

Order from a small but selective menu

and then have a seat with your food.

The whole city opens up as you tower above.

Sacre Coeur, Opera Garnier, Invalides, and of course, the Iron Lady.

This rooftop cafe was such a find — and we spent an hour just relaxing at our table and enjoying the 360 view.

This is just a glimpse of what we’ve seen (and I haven’t yet shown you Musee Rodin, Arc de Triomphe, Chanel, Seine and so much more …).

And now, I’m off for a few last days.

More to come, mes amis!