July 17, 2026
Why yes, I take photographs of all kinds of seemingly random things when I travel! I take a lot of food pictures, to send home to Belovedest. It reassures him that I am indeed eating (as if I ever skip meals!), and more importantly during this trip, that I was well-hydrated.
Breakfasts are a key part of my day…
And because it was hot when I was there (not the SUPER hot that they’re having, but hot enough for me to need a lot of breaks):
I don’t take photographs of people in Paris – I don’t like it when people take my picture here in Chicago without asking, so I don’t do it when I’m in other cities! Your mileage may vary…
But this meant that the only photograph I could take at my closest cafe was around 7 a.m., when all of the fresh food delivery trucks were EVERYWHERE, and when most of Paris was sleeping through the cool hours of morning…
I know that lots of people struggle for months before a trip to Paris, choosing restaurants for each dinner. I’ve pretty much decided that I can eat pretty well at the cafes on the Rue de Bretagne… Below I share a particularly excellent Croque Monsieur (grilled ham and cheese with Bechamel sauce and MORE cheese on top…). My appetizer was a pair of suppli – Italian rice balls filled with cheese and truffle sauce. OMG. The dessert? Mango mousse…
What was particularly easy for me, this trip, is that my hotel was literally around the corner from my cafe. There was a tiny store-front for a coffee roaster in between…
One of my favorite museums is kind of off the beaten track, in the Parc Monceau. It was the home of some rich guy who collected all kinds of things from China, mostly. They have tremendous special exhibits; if we don’t see this painting in next year’s “12 Paintings, Twelve Months” I will be surprised…
It’s difficult to walk around Paris and NOT see art – depending on how you define art. If art is a way to decorate space, then there’s plenty of art there!
I’m always particularly amused by the dozens (hundreds) of little tile art installations high on the walls at any corner of any street:
I thought this was interesting – “misogynists prefer high-maintenance b****es” and “misandrists prefer macho guys”.
This is good advice: please don’t fall in love with someone you don’t love” and this is beautiful: “here we are, myriad stars, illuminated a thousand times, at the bedside of the world.”
You don’t find these things in every city…
I particularly like this! There’s a backlash against trendiness and fashion in the neighborhood where I stay. The dozens of consignment and resale shops that were there during the winter holidays are STILL there, and thriving. Buying new isn’t always admired the way it once was:
Do I interpret this correctly as the “stairway to heaven”?
Never forget, there are some pretty spiffy monuments in Paris! I am so focused on my neighborhood, my cafes, and the people there that I forget that I could go see something HUGE AND WONDERFUL…
It was sale season in Paris. It’s startling to think that retailers are going to be receiving cooler-weather clothes soon….
And for those who think that a loose overshirt, over a tee shirt, isn’t “Parisian,” I offer you this:
No matter what you collect, you can find two million of them in Paris!
If you want a houseplant, or cut flowers, you won’t have to go far:
I think I’ve shared pictures of jewelry stores every time I’ve gone to Paris. I’m still always amazed that you can find so many beautiful things…
Just within a couple of blocks of my hotels, I found so many interesting, beautiful images:
I don’t know why I haven’t picked up take-out from this shop. Maybe when I’m back and it’s a decent temperature to sit in the park for dinner!
“Good for You”
Healthy food, without artificial flavors, without preservatives or food additives.
“Good for the planet”
Recyclable packaging or eco-responsible. Actions again food waste.
Yes, it was hot. Every day. By the time I got back to my hotel for a nap, this tiny sculpture might have been me:
But even the coffee roasters in the neighborhood have given their imprimatur of approval to iced coffee!
I will be back to Paris soon. It’s essential to my well-being!
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, We worked our way through a number of outfits and chose accessories. Accessories are where the fun is!
Things I love in Paris – save it to Pinterest!
I love your Paris reports.
Street art really does express a lot about a city. My son travels a lot. He has an impressive collection of street art photos from numerous European cities, Soth and Central America and many here in the US.
Thank you for this delightful tour of Paris. I love its parks, cafes and museums. And, I’ve been admiring the beautiful style of soccer played by the French team, particularly Olive and Mbappe.
Oh- and it may surprise people to know we have a thriving sidewalk cafe, coffee shop and public art scene in Boise!