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....was this
year, 2013, at the end of May. The
French Open was in progress and the city had that
added buzz that accompanies any international
sporting event with world-wide attention. The
focal point of this trip was to explore a most
charming area of the city, the 6th Arrondissement,
known as Saint-Germain-des-Pres. It’s a neighborhood
of narrow, picturesque “rues” off the Left Bank of
the Seine, full of cafes, shops, galleries, and
markets. At any turn, you could find yourself in a
little courtyard with a bench and some local birds
to keep you company.
In
the past, I’ve stayed at the historic Hotel
D’Aubusson on Rue Dauphine. It
was fully booked this time, but I wanted the same
convenient area and found the more modest but still
charming HOTEL DAUPHINE SAINT- GERMAIN-DES-PRES just
a few steps away at 36, Rue Dauphine. It turned out
to be a good choice. They
offer a breakfast buffet including egg dishes of
your choice in a nicely decorated room off the lobby
with windows facing the street....always a parade of
people to capture your attention and imagination. The
staff was helpful and the location ideal for
exploring the Ile St.-Louis, Notre Dame, and St.
Sulpice. It
seems nothing in Paris is too far. It’s
truly a stroller’s city. Our (do you think I would
go to Paris in the springtime alone?) room faced an
interior courtyard, so unfortunately, no view of
Parisian roof tops but cozy, quiet and perfect for
an afternoon nap after several hours of walking. For
an interesting diversion, do try “The Original Paris
Walks”..... they
offer two-hour walks and talks in various
neighborhoods with themes full of facts and fun.
Their brochures can be found in most hotel lobbies.
My
objective was complete relaxation and indulgence,
the latter of which comes pretty easily in Paris! I
planned to immerse myself in the cafe life and dine
outdoors with good wine at both lunch and dinner,
plus explore the many art galleries and antique
shops along the winding streets. We stumbled upon
the Lover’s Lock Bridge crossing the Seine where
couples affix a lock with their initials scrawled on
it, make a wish, and toss the key into the river.
(Writer’s note: I was traveling with my beloved
girlfriend, Jane Rothchild, real estate broker in
New York City and owner of The Hotel Helper which
supplies products to hotels and restaurants. We had
our own romantic objectives for our first trip
together to the City of Lights.)
Within
a few blocks of our hotel, we found three
outstanding places to dine, full of history and
waiters with great elan. None of them was as
expensive as we were used to near where we live in
Manhattan. Les Deux Magots on Bl. St.-Germain-des-Pres
is famous for the intellectuals and artists that
have dined and conversed there over the years. We
even had the good fortune to see Karl Lagerfeld
perusing through magazines at a news kiosk right
outside. On Rue du Buci, we ate at two restaurants
opposite each other, Cafe de Paris and Brasserie
L’Atlas. Street performers were outside for
entertainment as if the food and atmosphere weren’t
enough to occupy our attention.
While
most tourists in Paris make a beeline to the
museums, I enjoyed gazing at the art displayed in
dozens of galleries in the neighborhood. Posters in
various windows offer a glimpse of attractions, as
you can see. Jane, of course, loved all the
boutiques. There’s something unique about the French
when it comes to style, and she picked up a few
items to remind her of this special time for us in
Paris.
If
you want a romantic or contemplative escape for any
length of time, a visit to the 6th Arrondissement is
ideal. The Bl. St.-Germain-des-Pres, which runs the
length of this area, is a street not to miss. You’ll
get the true feel of Paris with its movie houses,
cafes, stores, and Metro stations with their Art
Nouveau detail. HOTEL DAUPHINE SAINT- GERMAIN-DES-PRES
turned out to be the perfect spot to enjoy all these
treasures. Make sure you leave room in your suitcase
as you’ll want to shop while there. Tell yourself
“oui” and Bon
Voyage!
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