Company’s a Comin’ for the Birthday Bash
Bonjour mes amis,
I realize that there will be far too many photos to have a one week-long summary blog so here’s a few photos to whet your appetite. The last set of cousins from Alsace, Pierre and Laurie Verdier, arrive today by train.
Like many who visit, Bernie’s brothers, Bill and Steve, are having some difficulty with all the walking and all the steps. Thus far, I haven’t been able to grab Bill for any photos but we’ll do better. I’ll caption our activities over the past few days. One significant event day before yesterday was a sleet storm in Paris with a prediction of very cold weather.
The two best light photos were these, the first taken by Bernie in front of La Pavillon de la Reine where the cousins are staying and the second by Steve in the Chatelet subway station.
It has been cold and bothersome with hats, coats, gloves, scarves…a really tough life. Here’s a recap of the past few days.

Inside the Hotel Crillon where Curt and Diane have stayed years ago. They wanted to see the renovations.

Walking down rue de Rivoli to dinner at Benoit in front of the BHV, our large department store in the Marais.

Diane will kill me for posting this but just couldn’t resist. The puffy rolls you see were the only really good thing of the night.
Just a word about Benoit, a 1-star Michelin restaurant…disappointing. Save your money and eat somewhere else!
We’re off to the races today. Hope you’re enjoying the birthday week.
L & B
Hi Linda and Bernie,
As always, such lovely photos and we enjoyed reading about your activities. Beautiful places. 12 euros for a coffee, ouch but then it was at the Crillon!
Looking forward to seeing you both this weekend.
Malcolm and Antonia X
All just wonderful! Merci for taking the time to post and share this memorable week.
Love the header photo and the goofy guys sharing the scarf. Fun!
Hope everyone stays steady on the endless steps. Bonne continuation 💟
Just curious? Is the pic that’s labeled Steve and Bill at the apartment really a brother? Sure looks like Bernie. Are they twins?
Oops, good catch. It is captioned incorrectly. It’s Bernie and Steve!! I’ll correct.
Absolutely love the Christmas photos! Sorry to hear your special dinner was a disappointment. Looking forward to continuing to follow Bernies celebration.
I love seeing the store fronts with their decorations! Beautiful. Stay warm
Took me some time, but I finally got the Louis Vitton shirt. Y’all are showing places that I’d never go and certainly never eat at even if I was in Paris. Thank you.
Love Bernie’s light photo with color outside of the hotel! Also the flowers in that other hotel were gorgeous. Don’t get the Louis Vuitton shirt… Are you surprised? Love seeing Bernie have fun with family! The “joined at the neck” is cute! Yay for Christmas windows!!!
Louis has the word “oui” inside it. Yes??