I drove in to Paris for lunch with my dear friend Tish Jett today. Always an occasion to look forward to, and never ever quite long enough …. but we have a favourite restaurant where they let us linger for as long as we wish over coffee, so we put every minute to good use!
 
I left a cold and misty Normandy to find that a miracle had taken place in Paris and that the atmosphere was distinctly spring like. I’m not talking blossom and twittering birdsong, not quite, but still a very noticeable change to the air.
I arrived in Paris too early for our lunch date, and wandered down to the river, and then across through the Tuileries gardens before heading to the restaurant.
In the gardens, there were plenty of people leaning back and enjoying the sunshine, and I even sat down and joined them for a while.
I always love these groups of chairs left in position after the conversation is long over – there is something very melancholy in this material echo of a short moment spent together.
And as I walked out of the gardens and back across the river, I said to myself, once again, that Paris is absolutely one of my favourite cities, and that even doing nothing in particular is a good way to spend time, especially on a day like today.
46 comments
Beautiful, beautiful photography. Loved it all!
What a pleasant quick trip you gave me while I stayed snowbound in the Midwest.
Merci beaucoup
What was the name of the restaurant where you met your friend Tish Jett please? A good friend will be in Paris shortly and I would love to be able to give her the name of somewhere good to have lunch.
Thank you and regards
Annemarie
I’d love to know too as I will be visiting Paris at the end of April and will be staying through to mid May!
Actually, I often pick hotel restaurants/bars for long lunches like this, because they are open all day and they don’t mind if you prolong after lunch because they are not about to shut! Yesterday we had lunch at the Baretto, which is part of the Hotel de Vigny on rue Balzac at the top of the Champs Elysees.
Hope that helps
xx
Thank you! I’ll make note of that spot. It sounds like there are so many amazing places to dine in Paris…I think it will be a bit overwhelming. So many things to see and do but I am really excited as you have inspired me so much.
Merci.
Hi Sharon
I just came home from a long walk in the pouring rain of Vancouver, B.C. my place of home and beauty. It is a balmy 11 degrees celsius. I live close to the ocean and so a quick jaunt to the sea and a promenade along the sea wall rejuvenates my soul. I eventually meandered over for a strong latte and as I looked up I noticed a tree full of blossoming cherry buds – OMG !!! Spring is around the corner for some of us, but on the east coast of Canada and even up in northern B.C. the snow is still falling and people still shovelling their driveways! I am lucky to live where I do and am hoping to get my bike out this weekend. Have you ever been to Vancouver? I love France but Vancouver is also a very spectacular city. Mountains and ocean together – Ahhhhh!! Patty
Yes, Paris is amazing and everyone Loves it but having been to Vancouver just once, I fell in love with that, too. Such beautiful destinations on this planet – so many places to love.
I have been to Victoria only…not so very far from you! It was spectacular, especially Butchart Gardens. So good to love where you live, isn’t it?
I live in Victoria BC and we have been getting lots of rain but the trees are starting to blossom, the daffodils are blooming and rain or shine I walk two blocks to the ocean and stroll along the seafront that looks across to Port Angeles Washington.
I live just a-hop-skip and a jump away! We live at the foot of Chuckanut Drive in Bow! Love B.C.
Such a small world! My father was born in Bow and I was born in Avon. The Breadfarm in Edison is a regular stop. Xo j
Such beautiful photography! Wish I were there to enjoy that beauty!
Any season of the year, any day of the month, there is always something magical to explore…. Even if it is sitting back on a bench, in front of a fountain, in a beautiful park, closing your eyes and breathing in the je ne sais quoi that is Paris. Your beautiful photos make me want to hop on a plane…tout de suite.
Bonne journée Sharon,
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful walk that you and your friend had.
It lifted my spirits today.
Merci … très appréciée!!
xoxo Sherry
Paris is the place to go! The buildings are fascinating. Winter, Summer, Spring, or Fall. I can be packed within 5 minutes.
i’m jealous… it’s frigid here in michigan, usa (-21c to you)… so to see people even out sitting, makes me cry… beautiful pix… maybe, someday, i will get to paris… hugs2u
Thank you so much for taking us on that little tour of Paris it was excellent Sharon.
wish I could have been a fly on the wall at lunch + know you had much to speak of. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Paris is always a good idea!
We were in Paris in Febuary also. It was very warm and all outdoor restaurants were open. It was so lovely and a welcome break from the grayness of Geneva, where we lived for several years. The TGV was a treat also. Love your blog. Have you checked out Manger?
Donna Barber of Tennessee
Dear Sharon,
How lovely to go to Paris for a lunch with Tish and a lovely stroll!
It will be awhile before Spring hits Kansas City however I can certainly be thinking of the lovely days that lie ahead!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Thank you so much for letting me come along on your walk through Paris. I dream of getting there one day. I hear from so many friends just how lovely it is. I thoroughly enjoy your posts and look forward to them.
We, too, are getting a hint of spring – probably 60 degrees today here in Seattle. We enjoy the mountains and beautiful Puget Sound – one of the prettiest places on earth. Put us on your ‘bucket list’ if you haven’t been.
Enjoying our first snow storm of the year here in St. John’s today,
But always, always enjoy Paris when we visit there….so lovely in every aspect.
Paris has it all.
R.
What amazing images you capture! A glorious glimpse into life in France – thank you for sharing. .
Your beautiful photos make me want to return to Paris in the winter – veiled in a bit of mystery with a touch of romance. The evening I arrived on my first visit it was misty and a bit foggy and I chose to photograph my first impressions of Paris in black and white. They remain some of my favorite images. Your photos are stunning and take me back to the same walk. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so envious. We here in the northeast of the US are being bludgeoned with snow. Foot after foot each weekend and now the 4th weekend, another big snow storm. Spring is just a suggestion some time in the far off future. Sigh!
What beautiful images, and such a lovely time of year to be in Paris. What a wonderful day you’ve had.
xTracy
I’m a faithful follower of you, especially on your strolls through Paris. I was there in September and long to return.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos. I visited Paris for the first time in 2013, and miss it all the time. Can’t wait to go back! 🙂
Your photos have me longing to revisit Paris. I want to go there to experience all the seasons. And yet, I live in a beautiful place – Victoria BC – where cherry trees are in bloom, and all the rain has made everything green, green, green.
Your meet up sounds like fun! It’s so pleasant when you can linger after lunch without feeling pressured to leave the restaurant. I wonder if you would mind sharing where you dined?
Hi Sharon your photographs are dreamy… I imagine myself sitting on on of those garden seats with take away coffee and an almond croissant (living dangerously) nice…. I’m sure you girls would have had a wonderful day. Thank you for sharing dreamy. Till next time. Regards Esther from Sydney. PS Have a lovely weekend.
I,too, love the snapshot of seats randomly left as people depart. I have the same feeling the morning after a long supper with good friends at the kitchen table. I always leave the table & go to bed & when I wake up i love the story the table tells & the prolonged good time it provokes. Crusty bread, empty wine bottles, jaunty flowers, dispersed chairs, beautiful china & silver cutlery paint their own still life. I make coffee & wash up at leisure admiring the beautiful plates & pausing to reflect on the night before. More than anything I count the blessings of good friends, a lovely home & beautiful simplicity. I pray for all those who do not have these things (as a child being one of them) & wish the world a fairer, loving place.
Hear hear Joanna! It’s the simple things…..
Lunch with you and Tish! So jealous…
And I think that days with nothing to do but wander are the very best in Paris.
We’ll do this again soon I hope. So much fun.xoxo
Lucky you! Just loved the park bench pic!
parigi e belissima sharon le tue foto sono stupende
Sharon, your photos are gorgeous. You captured that feeling when, although spring is weeks and weeks away, there is a hint of it in the air. I also love those groups of chairs that look like they are having a conversation of their own. Magic. I’m looking forward to my upcoming Paris trip. Hope we can connect while I’m there! XOXO
How blessed and down right lucky you are to get to experience Paris on a regular basic.
Thanks for sharing with me since I never will walk in your paths around Paris
Hope you and your friend enjoyed your spring day in Paris. I enjoyed all your pictures
Thank you, Sharon for sharing your beautiful almost spring Paris day!
Patricia in Vancouver, Bungalow Hostess and Mary Anne in Victoria, Lorrie in Victoria -beautiful balmy Canadian cities! Here in Ontario, near Georgian Bay, we are buried under several feet of snow, and our temp. this morning was -26c, colder still when adding in wind chill! Still a beautiful sunny, clear day. We do look forward to spring -but not for a couple more months! And I’m also so thrilled to be visiting Paris in early May!
I’ll be in Paris when you are too….perhaps we could meet up?
Bungalowhostess@gmail.com
Lovely photos. I needed to do a little arm chair traveling today. In LR it is 63 degrees today with signs of Iris and forsythia buds. But tomorrow and the next day it’s snow and sleet and a high of 39! Bringing out the sheets for cover for those little, too anxious buds.
beautiful photo’s. My dream is to visit France, it’s #1 on my Bucket List
Mary
I too have loved the photos and the memories they evoke. I was in Paris at the end of November early December last year and if I close my eyes, I can be back there in an instant…there is no place quite like it!
Sadly I have returned to reality and am back at work in a hot Australian summer. I dream of snow and the cold which I love while we swelter in the hot Australian sun.
Anyone want to swap?