Shopping and stopping for lunch in the Passage Vivienne.
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Heralds of spring:
Every year the Jardin du Palais-Royal, a short walk from the Musée du Louvre, surprises with a vibrant display of Asian magnolia trees, easily (and often) mistaken for cherry blossoms. Introduced in 1992 at the request of then-Culture Minister Jack Lang, they’re fairly new arrivals: sixteen deciduous trees that bloom dramatically in early spring, as seen this year, around March 6. Plumpish buds begin to appear on bare branches before any leaves, and at their peak create a striking contrast against the Buren columns, green lawns and surrounding architecture. But the spectacle is fleeting. Lasting just one to two weeks before the petals are scattered to the winds like pink confetti, photographers, locals, and visitors flock there from early til late, phones / cameras in hand, eager for an iconic Parisian moment that blends beauty, nature and casual city life. - BPJ
Today's throwback is to Le Train Bleu, the elegant restaurant overlooking the tracks inside the Gare de Lyon, from where trains still depart daily for the sun-drenched South of France. If the gastronomy doesn't lure you in (be sure to order their tableside-prepped Crêpes Suzette flambéed with Grand Marnier for dessert), the breathtaking decor certainly will: 41 monumental paintings by renowned Belle Époque artists adorn the walls and soaring ceilings, depicting tempting Côte d'Azur destinations to whet the appetite for travel. - BPJ