I suppose one way is to be French, or at least European or possible American. What is it that foreigners see in London? How can it have the same romantic appeal as Paris, the city of Love?

And the other question that doesn’t get asked often enough in my opinion, why do they sit on the roundabout at Piccadilly Circus in London?

There is such a contrast between the two cities I don’t know where to begin. I suppose Haussman’s architecture preserving the uniform style of building all over Paris is one of the defining features, while London is a hotch potch of wildly contrasting and clashing styles. On the other hand London does have a thriving theatreland district, hosting many more musicals and plays than Paris, if you only count the large Broadway style productions.

Well, the Shabby Chic style certainly takes a lot of inspiration from Paris, and the French are well known for paying a lot of attention to children’s clothing and interior decor. It’s not unheard of for Brits interested in the antiques and bric a brac markets to take Paris breaks as part holiday part scavenging operations, looking for shabby chic bargains amongst the  markets and little shops in secret areas of  the city.

Paris Shabby Chic Breaks

Tags: antiques, bargains, Brits, capital, capital style, chic style, clothing, Furniture, interior decor, Nursery, nursery wallpaper, nurserywallpaper, Paris, Shabby, shabby chic furniture, Wallpaper

The Marais district covers the 3rd and much of the 4th arrondissements. Le Marais  means literally “the swamp” and it’s now one of the best-loved right bank areas. There were many decades of decay, but now Le Marais has made a big comeback, though perhaps not quite like it was in the 17th-century when prosperous aristocrats inhabited the 3rd. It’s a great place to base Paris breaks now, being charmingly unique but also very central.

The Marais contains Paris’s major gay neighbourhoods,with lots of gay/lesbian restaurants, bars, and stores, as well as the remains of the old Jewish quarter, centered on rue des Rosiers. Two of the best attractions are museums. The Musée Picasso is a well curated collection of paintings, sculptures and ceramics which the French Government inherited in lieu of death duties. The Musée Carnavalet, a history museum also in the Marais depicts Parisian life from prehistoric times to the present. Small restaurants, kosher food and felafel kiosks abound for informal lunches.

Tags: Breaks, felafel, gay neighbourhoods, history museum, marais district, marais quarter, musée carnavalet, musée picasso, Paris, paris breaks, Picasso, rue des rosiers

Tags: google maps, paris breaks, screentoaster, street view

LAlsace
Day and night, all the year round, LAlsace flies the flag for its regional heritage on the most beautiful avenue in the world.At all times of the day the crowds flock to the turn of the century décor, with its bevelled mirrors and wood panelling, to try one of the many versions of sauerkraut, the traditional star of the menu.Or why not come and try one of the other specialities, such as the braised ham hock, suprême de volaille in Riesling or the Alsatian tart… not forgetting the magnificent seafood table and the onion soup au gratin served in this, the restaurant which never closes its doors.

Tags: alsace, alsatian, Champs, champs elysees, Elysees, onion, onion soup, Paris, sauerkraut, seafood, where to eat