Once a little Gallo Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter, this Gothic masterpiece celebrates its 850th anniversary this year. A thirteen meter high temporary structure built across from the entrance, works like a mini amphitheater for celebratory events in the Place du Parvis, and is a great, if rather ugly, vantage point to view its magnificent facade. […]
Read MoreIt seems to me like the whole world and its brother, considers Ladurée the Mecca of fine macarons. I personally know several people whose only request to friends visiting Paris, is to bring back a box of Ladurée goodies. So off I went to Ladurée on our first trip a few years ago, with the greatest expectation […]
Read MoreNot many might be aware of French gastronomy having been declared ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise really, knowing the French obsession with things culinary. Cuisine is greatly valued in many European societies. But the French take it up a notch. Here cuisine isn’t food. It is a tradition. A symbol […]
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The Pont des Arts. Weighed down by the burden of undying love. Until next time…happy travels, no matter where life takes you.
Read MoreMuch of the Paris we see today is the product of the gargantuan nineteenth century ‘remaking’ of Paris by Baron Hausmann, that ripped out and restructured entire neighbourhoods, with scant attention to more than 2000 years of accrued history. Its ancient labyrinth of narrow, snaking streets and cramped dwellings, transformed into this sumptuous and alluring […]
Read MoreMy exquisitely plated starter at Pirouette restaurant, that foreshadowed a deliciously perfect evening. Now before you jump to conclusions let me assure you, we did a lot more than eat our way through Paris.
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The biggest allure of a visit to France for me is her array of neighbourhood markets. And Paris is undoubtedly a mecca for market enthusiasts, boasting more than 80 of them, some covered and permanent, and most temporary roving markets – called marchés volants – sprouting up a few days a week. Our Sunday morning starts with […]
Read MoreThe Ispahan No, not the city in Iran or the Damask rose. This is a concoction of fragrant rose cream with chopped litchis and luscious, whole raspberries, sandwiched between two crunchy, startling pink macaron shells. And topped with a single raspberry and a velvety rose petal, complete with a glistening sugar dewdrop.Enjoyed in the Place Saint […]
Read MoreI M Pei’s sparkling masterpiece of an entrance – albeit controversial – to an abode of exquisite masterpieces. It is said that of the 8 million average annual visitors to the Louvre, nearly 50% come for the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Pyramid! Until next time…happy travels no matter where life takes […]
Read MoreThe Musée du Louvre is the most visited museum in Paris, perhaps in the whole world, and rightly so. I doubt I will ever find enough time to do justice to all it has to offer. But when you are done here, a short walk down to the Musée de l’Orangerie can be a highly rewarding […]
Read MoreThe stained glass windows of Sainte Chapelle, on the Île de la Cité in Paris, are a sight to behold. Fifteen such windows surround the nave and apse of the second floor chapel with a huge rose window at the opposite end. Two thirds of the 600 sq meters (6,458 square feet) of glass is […]
Read MoreThere was no doubt in scientist’s minds that the earth rotated around a central axis. But there was no way to demonstrate that it actually did. No concrete proof. Not until January 3, 1851, that is, when Leon Foucault found that long sought proof with the help of an iron ball swinging from a 67 meter wire, […]
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The Urge To Wander 