"Laduree, Luxembourg Gardens and Le Grand Colbert!"

A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit or many to the famous Laduree!  This time we visited and partook of a late lunch at the Laduree on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees. 

as you know I have said many times how exquisite the confections are and they are just as breathtaking to see and taste them ..... they are truly works of art and the attention to detail and packaging complete an artform that I admire so much .....

a trip to Paris in the summer is not complete without a visit to the Tuileries Gardens and the accompanying carnivale!  Georgiana absolutely loved it and the best part was the giant ferris wheel where we were treated to some of the best views in Paris .... above the Louvre and the "Pyramids" designed by I.M. Pei.

we also had dinner at Le Grand Colbert in Rue Vivienne ... made famous from the movie "Something's Gotta Give".  The restaurant is the scene where Keanu Reeves and Diane Keaton are having dinner and Jack Nicholson walks in and joins them!  It is a great scene and a fabulous restaurant!  Apparantly, they told us that Diane Keaton eats there frequently when she is in Paris and once said to them the next movie I do I am going to put the restaurant in it!  This is my sister-in-law, Cathy and my neice, Brigid.

we did a great deal of walking which is the best way to see Paris .... then when you get too tired you jump on the open top buses which are also great for information and views above the street line.  The Eiffel Tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel to celebrate the anniversary of the French Revolution and built in 1889.  It is located on the Champs des Mars.  It has become the icon of Paris and every night in summer on the hour it lights up and looks like a glittering diamond....

Brigid and Georgiana enjoying divine ice-creams on our walk to Luxembourg Gardens ....

I absolutely just had to take a photo of this gorgeous building ..... look at the architectural detailing of the stonework, the black iron Juliet balcony and the "PINK DRAPES"  ... I so wanted to go inside and imagine what it would be like to live there .....

                                   Luxembourg Gardens .......

More Laduree ....... but of course .... who can resist ...

I just had to get this picture of Andrew sitting in Laduree in in his pink polo!  How perfect .... colour co-ordinated to perfection!

I promised I would drink a toast to Kristin and I did indeed with this chardonnay ....

and the ladies room ..... perfect pink and grey ..... I did get some odd looks but I explained .... Australian interior designer in Paris .... they understood immediately .... look at the marble skirtings!

and of course we took some treats back to our hotel .....

this gorgeous chambre maid was so sweet and I asked her if she would have a photo with me to which she willingly obliged ......

just a couple of the hotel Georges V courtyard .... I am still drooling at the tents with stripe lining ... it actually is a Manuel Canovas fabric that I can get so I am inspired  ..... I am thinking poolside at our place perhaps!

we called Andrew and Pat the "blues brothers" ....

the Church of the Dome at les Invalides ....

Sacre Coeur or "Sacred Heart"

view of the beginning of "The Tuileries" with the Eiffel Tower in the background ...... as they say Paris is always a good idea .... how true .... once it is in your heart it is in your heart forever!

ps I just also wanted to say that I am still having trouble commenting on blogs that ask for a profile ... I am still coming up as anonymous so I am so sorry.  Victoria from Art House Design, Kit from Chic Provence, Fiona from Chateau de Lille and others I cannot comment on so I just want you to know that I am still reading and enjoying your beautiful blogs .... I am going to make a list and post so you all know!