Paris in the Springtime!
This is my first time in Paris in April — and the start of spring around which many songs have been composed. Think Maurice Chevalier’s opening line from I love Paris, or Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s version of April in Paris.
Ok, it did snow my first day here, but it was short-lived. Still, the temperatures have stayed chilly, and it is windy and rainy, so perfect weather to duck into a café from time to time, or a lot, — but at least the flowers are blooming everywhere.
In fact, the tulips are pretty much done with 10 days of warm weather before I got here! /Paris in Springtime
One day the sun came out briefly, and I took my take-out café crème to a small park where I found the most unusual sight — an outdoor area with workout machines like you would find in a regular gym.
An outdoor gym with about 6 or so different machines! In winter this might be challenging!
I sat on a bench underneath a tree heavy with apple blossoms and watched as this”woman of a certain age” did her reps.
Only in Paris.
You really don’t see this every day. No, I did not try it myself.
A few days into this trip, my closest friend, Shardie joined me, and for her birthday the next day, we headed out to Le Vaudeville, a popular seafood restaurant next to the old Paris Stock Exchange.
For our “déjeuner”, we toasted Shardie as she dined on an appetizer of fresh oysters, and a main of moules et frites/mussels with French fries.
Shardie with oysters! I had them too. yum!
Shardie said the mussels cooked in white wine, cream with a bit of dill, and lots of garlic were the best she ever had.
She could not finish all the mussels so I helped!/ Paris in Springtime
As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I am on this trip to experience a couple of home exchanges in France, one in Paris and one in Cannes. (See homeexchange.com for more details.)
The Paris apartment I found is located in the 17th arrondissement, a little west of central Paris.
The apartment is modern, and decorated with a strong African theme.
Home Exchange in Paris/Paris in Springtime
It is really spacious with three bedrooms, a large balcony, and an incredibly well-equipped kitchen
Home Exhange in Paris/Paris in Springtime
My hosts Yael and Frank, parents of three boys, could not be more accommodating. (They went to stay with Yael’s mother for the week.)
Nice to know as I will be hosting them for a stay at my home in Canada this summer! (While I will be on a houseboat in Northern Ontario.)
Next stop — the Riviera my friends — keep ya posted!
How has your experience of Paris been in the spring?
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Diana Bishop the founder of The Success Story Program and A Woman of a Certain Age in Paris as well as a well-known correspondent with over 25 years working for CTV, CBC News, and NBC News. She loves travel, writing, and all things Parisienne.
Your weather in Paris does sound a bit challenging! One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to stroll outside. Many years ago, when I was 16, I took my first trip to France. It was March and we landed in Nice. It was my first time seeing palm trees and the weather was 70-some degrees and sunny. Everything from the white washed buildings with terracotta roofs to the colorful flowers in the window boxes was beautiful. I LOVED that city. After several days we drove to Paris. It was cold and rained every day except one. It felt like such a let down after Nice. I went back to Paris in May of 2016 and the weather was sunny and in the 80s so I got to see another side of the city’s personality. We toured gardens and cathedrals and enjoyed outdoor cafes. What a difference 2 months can make!
I also love Nice! We will be visiting that city again as well this trip. Lots to discover hopefully most of it in the sunshine. Thanks for commenting. It has been awhile since I heard from you. Diana
Fantastic! Keep us in the loop. Never been to Cannes so I am looking forward to reading your adventure in Southern France. Martin
Will do Martin…looking so forward to some sunshine!
i was there in may once and spring was just starting. it was pretty cold out though and rained a lot! glad you’re seeing the flowers.
I think Spring in Paris would be best in early June!!!! But still happy to be here. Thanks for the comment Rhonda .. always so great to hear from you, Diana
It is so special to be traveling with you again and my birthday in Paris was lovely! Merci Merci ! The moules WERE the best I’ve ever tasted. Very excited to be in the south of France ….and to see the sun again! Such adventures we will have chere amie!
It is the ultimate gift to be able to know you all these years my BF. You are so special and I am glad we got to spend your birthday in Paris. That is a first for us! Happy Birthday again to you! Diana
Hi Diana,
Glad you are able to be back in Paris in the springtime. We are still not travelling.
Here’s hoping that one day we’ll be able to be there at the same time so we can share with you some of our favorite places. Have you been to the Musée Zadkine (https://www.zadkine.paris.fr/) in the 6th? I think you would enjoy it.
Meilleurs voeux de Montréal,
Susan
Susan, thank you so much for the suggestion. Always a pleasure hearing from you. I have not heard of this museum. I will definitely check it out.
I hope you get to travel soon!
It’s WONDERFUL to see your photos … they allow to “be there with you”!!
So great to hear from you Trudy! It has been a while. I hope you have been keeping well. I will be taking lots of pictures for you! Diana
Salut Diana,
My first time in Paris was in March/April many years ago and it was pure magic with the new blossoms coming to life in the warm sunshine (no wind or rain thank goodness!). I sat on a bench outside Notre Dame eating a baguette absorbing the scent of new growth and my body tingling with the sheer thrill of just being there. For me, Paris was love at first sight!
There is an outdoor fitness park just like the one in your photos next to the library in Sidney, here on Vancouver Island. (definitely not suited to an Ontario winter!). Its a fantastic place for your grandchildren to wear off energy after a couple of hours in the library!
Bonne Vacances in the south of France, my favourite place on earth…
Anne xoxo
Sounds heavenly! So great to hear from you! Thank for the comment. Diana
I took my then 82 year old mother to Paris in April 2005. It was a trip of a lifetime for mother and daughter. The spring flowers were in full bloom, and the chestnut trees were covered in sweet smelling pink blossoms. I introduced her to Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, a boat cruise on the Seine, Versailles, museums, parks, bistros, and French pastries. She was like a giddy child in a candy shop. We walked for miles every day, and ran up and down dozens of stairs in the metro. She kept right up, almost wearing me out. It was probably the most wonderful time I ever spent with my mom. ❤️