Food & Stays

Categories: Accommodations · Basel · Food · France · Paris · Switzerland · ZurichTags: · ·

As I say Danke and Merci to Zurich and Paris, here are the food and stays during this trip: La Bottega Di Mario is a wonderful ristorante and salumeria in Zürich, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction. Catching up with Swiss friends, I was taken to Zeughauskeller, for traditional Swiss fare (warning servings are huge!) Another Bib Gourmand brasserie that is good is AuGust. A gem of a restaurant is Bauernschanke, tucked in an alleyway in the old town. Totally deserving of their Bib Gormand. A modern Japanese izakaya is Gaijin – another casual place with a Bib Gourmand distinction….

City of Lights

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Seven years later, I made it back to Paris. First stop is my favourite Jardin du Luxembourg. The second item on my to do list is to visit The Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection. The building, formerly the commodity exchange, has been wonderfully restored and transformed by architect Tadao Ando and opened in 2021 exhibiting modern art.

Dormir et Manger

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · Europe · Food · France · Loire Valley · ParisTags: · · · ·

I saw Fontevraud L’Hotel featured in an architectural design magazine a couple of years ago and I placed a sticky note on it as a reminder that I should visit it one day. Fast forward and here I am at Fontevraud L’Hotel  which forms part of the Fontevraud Abbaye Royale – and it definitely did not disappoint. The setting is idyllic and in a sense, spiritual. Service was warm, the rooms were simple and modern, and it is the common areas and the grounds that make it extra special.                     I usually stay in the 6th…

Paris en Hiver

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Third year in a row I have been coming to Paris in the winter, and it was a cold one this year – with some snow. Musée Jacquemart-André is set in a 19th century mansion – relatively reasonable in size but offers a lot with its magnificent art and decorative objects. The impressive collection include pieces from Tiepolo, Bellini, Botticelli, David, to Rembrandt and Frans Hals.                       Musée Rodin is one of my favourites in Paris – I call it my “happy place”! I would be well content to be…

Loire Valley

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Studed with fairytale châteaux and storybook villages, Loire Valley is known as the “Garden of France” and needless to say, its various vineyards. The area has become a showplace of the pleasure castles that take on different architectural styles. The Chateau of Villandry is the last of the great châteaux of the Loire built during the Renaissance of the Loire Valley. The elegance of its architecture combined with its expansive gardens make this one of the jewels of the world heritage.     Chateau D’Usse is known as the inspiration for Charles Perrault for his tale of Sleeping Beauty. This…

Fontevraud Royal Abbey

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The main reason for my trip to France this year : to visit the Royal Abbey of Our Lady of Fontevraud in the Loire Valley. Formerly a monastery in the village of Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, near Chinon, it was founded in 1101 and became the center of a monastic Order. It is one of the largest surviving monastic cities from the Middle Ages, until 1792 when the last abbess was evicted following the French Revolution. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex of monastic buildings was transformed into a high security prison by order of Napoleon Bonaparte housing up to 2,000 prisioners…

Au Revoir

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · Food · France · Paris · TravelTags: · · 4 Comments

Au Revoir, Paris. Until the next time.                             I promised to try new restaurants and patisseries during this visit to Paris. While walking, I came across a tiny cafe that serves excellent espresso – Terres de Cafe. One restaurant I really enjoyed both the meal and the vibe is Cafe Trama in the Saint Placide area. Traditional french cuisine in a casual but modern style, with a good wine selection.     A couple of blocks away from the hotel I stayed at is  Patisserie Thevenin, where I would…

Palais Garnier

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Palais Garnier is an extravagant example of Second Empire architecture in Paris. This opera / ballet house was designed by the architect Charles Garnier, who won the competition launched by Napoleon III. The Palais was inaugurated in 1875 with a beautiful ceiling in the auditorium painted by Marc Chagall in 1964.                                                    

Retour à Paris

Categories: Europe · France · Paris · TravelTags: · ·

Now, it’s “Back in Paris“! It’s been twelve months since I was last in this inspiring city. I continue to be in trance every time I am here. No matter how often I visit – this elegant and enthralling city still has something new to show. I am planning to see new sights, visit new restaurants and try out new patisseries.