Hanging out

Sweeping views over the city from a heavenly Montmartre apartment.

Above: sunset; gin tonics al fresco; yours truly on one of the balconies

 

(click photos to enlarge)

 

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Merci Catherine and Christian

Owl in a window

A flying owl and butterflies decorate the window of a perfume shop.

Packing for light

A hand-made cashmere shawl, bags, and scarves inspire an escape to the French Riviera.

Going vegan

French cuisine is endlessly varied and this airy place at the foot of the Montmartre butte offers great value and healthy choices.

Above: creative veggie sharing planche for two; side salad of fennel, chick peas, walnuts and blue cheese

Below: mango dessert

Abattoir Végétal
61 rue Ramey 75018

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May newsletter
Nouveautés

Market muguets

May 1st is La Fête du Travail, Labor Day, when muguets or lilies of the valley are given to loved ones.

Above: a forest of muguets for sale at an open-air market

Below: blooms for the lunch table; bright gariguette strawberries, back in season 

3 hours (or less) from Paris: Amsterdam #2

Above: a floating tulip garden; an early café créme on a quiet square; anyone for chess?

Below: no visit to Amsterdam is complete without feasting on rijsttafel (traditional Indonesian multi-dish "rice table"), sampling Dutch cheeses at a street market or hopping on a bicycle....

 

 

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PARIS - AMSTERDAM  

 

Several direct flights daily

Total flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes

By train: Thalys from Paris Gare du Nord - 27 trains per day

[shortest travel time: 3 hours 17 minutes direct into Amsterdam Centraal]

More in May newsletter

3 hours (or less) from Paris: Amsterdam #1

Going Dutch.

 Though I'd been to "The Venice of the North" several times over the years, this visit was particularly magnifique.

 

 Invited to join a dear friend and with the weather on our side, we hit some of the best spots in the city, and revisited old ones, from museums and art exhibitions to restaurants, bars, markets, and more.

Below: canal and bridges from a boat