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Just returned from a few days in Paris, during which part of our business
was shopping - too bad, someone's got to do it!
Kirk, my husband, went to the Porte de Vanves flea. Actually, we both went
as soon as we got there, since the info we had said it was open til 5 (we
arrived at noon on Sat.). But there was nothing there, and Kirk went early
Sunday morning (I, the wimp, slept in!). He didn't buy anything - said
prices were high-no deals. It's open from about 7 (they were finishing
set-up then), til 1:30 Sat. and Sun.
We've been to Clignancourt before. It's huge. No deals there either, but so
much to see!
Have you visited Village St. Paul, in the Marais? We want to be sure to
spend time there on our next visit. By the time we found it, it was Tues,
and it was closed Tues-Wed. Not a flea, but there may be brocante stores
there as well as antiques, although I'm not sure.
The best deals, as is true anywhere, I guess, are to be found outside the
big city and the most-touristed areas. We've found the best prices in the
Dordogne.
Concerning your enjoyment of churches, parks, and museums: A couple of
places we really enjoyed this trip were the Musee Jacquemart Andre-intimate,
small, with an array of superb acquistions by the collecting husband and
wife - including complete frescoes on walls and ceilings, brought home from
Italian villas. This couple was described as upper middle class - boggles
the mind!! The other was Eglise St Roche, in the 1st arrondissement, where
we heard a lovely noon- time concert. The church was very airy and light,
and filled with such beautiful and uplifting art - both sculpture and
painting. While listening to the concert, we lifted our eyes to an exquisite
life-size (maybe larger..) white marble nativity, above which mischievous
putti peeked out of puffs of clouds. The Tuesday noon concerts (free!)
continue through March - check the Paris tourist office website for details.
A favorite park is Monceau - have you walked through it?
We, too, really enjoyed Salisbury cathedral. I was impressed by how
inspiring and uplifting it was from outside even more than inside - perhaps
that has to do with the surrounding grassy yard, rather than the buildings
or streets that so often close in the great cathedrals.
Anne in Virginia
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