Friday, July 31

http://backpackers-zone.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/laduree5.jpg

Today was all about great shopping, great food and great art. We spent the morning at the Musee d'Orsay enjoying the wonderfully restored train station filled with an assortment of fabulous art. It's hard to choose just one favorite artist or piece of artwork from the huge collection which includes works by Degas, Renoir, Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Whistler and Seurat. We then strolled across the Seine towards the posh shopping area of the Rue Faubourg St. Honore. After selecting a tie for my husband's birthday at the fabulous Hermes store, we walked down the the Rue Royale for a late lunch at Laduree. We were all ready for some pampering after our big morning and this lovely restaurant filled the bill. Lunch was delicious with big, fat crispy frites accompanying a perfect omelet, then scrumptious desserts for us all. While known for their wide variety of macaroons, all of the sweets we enjoyed were heavenly!

http://images.evalu8.org/images/la-grande-epicerie393.jpg

It is true that in August many of the stores and restaurants in Paris close for the holidays, and we found that out the hard way. Many of the dining spots in our neighborhood were shuttered for August, so we visited the Bon Marche food halls for an al fresco dinner in the courtyard of our hotel. The food hall was stuffed with too many goodies to list from places all over the globe. We selected a variety of salads, cheeses, breads, and desserts for our picnic.

http://www.gothereguide.com/Images/France/Paris/Eiffel_Tower.jpg

After dinner we headed towards the Eiffel Tower in hopes of seeing the city from the second or third level elevation. It seemed that everyone else in Paris had the same idea as this iconic landmark was jammed with throngs of tourists. In lieu of riding to the top, we wandered around the base of the tower and watched as the light show commenced upon the hour. It was a beautiful night and the perfect culmination of our big day in the City of Light.