A Day with Friends in Paris
Bonjour,
Yesterday was a great weather day, though quite chilly. It was 38 when we headed out for coffee with our friends Richard and Vincent. Gosh, we’ve known Richard for over twenty years now! We always enjoy their company and got some advice about cold medicine to get from the pharmacy. I’m so disappointed that I forgot to take a picture!
We hopped on the Metro to go to Le Bon Marche for lunch and to see their Christmas decorations. It is the one large classic department store on the Left Bank. Their wonderful epicerie or food store is in a separate building. Upstairs is a very pleasant restaurant called La Table where all the waiters were decked out in gold jackets and black pants. Tasty and reasonable. 
The Christmas theme was everywhere but I didn’t care for it. The windows were a disappointment and of course trying to get photos during the day with reflections, sun and people is a challenge. You’ll get the gist. Maybe you can enlighten me. I’m not sure what the Eiffel Tower has to do with Christmas. Maybe it’s what we all dream about up in the clouds of our minds. The interior of the store is quite lovely.
For the evening, we were invited to a small soiree with local friends. The host couple live in our building so we didn’t have far to go. It was a delightful time. Francois, our host, has been a pharmacist for like 38 years and finally retired a few weeks ago. Their apartment is huge and beautiful. We’ve been there before and will try to see “the gang” once again before we leave.
All in all, a very fun day. We hate going to bed because that’s when the coughing begins! I don’t think I’ve had a good night’s sleep in weeks!
Did you catch my faux pas from yesterday’s post? It was hilarious. I wrote that I had a “chocolat chou” from Les Deux Magots instead of a “chocolat chaud or hot chocolate. What I wrote translates to chocolate cabbage so maybe I have started a new Parisian craze!
Have a great day!
L& B
December 28, 2024 @ 11:20 am
32 degrees there and no sweaters? Is Bernie originally from Alaska?
Your pictures are wonderful.. makes me wanna go jump on a plane! Paris at Christmas is terrific, more colorful than NYC Ive always thought! More decorations!
if I can find the box of cold lozenges I took there I will write it next time, but why not ask your pharmacist friend what to take too. The pharmacists in France are terrific… While you re at it, check on the skin cream I just had several friends replenish for me from City Pharma… A313. and another one called ialuset.. Terrific. stuff, you. might look into it!
Can you. prop your self up with pillows at night so youre sleeping more prone, and thus not coughing? thats a thought. Wait, wrong thought, prone is not right word!!! .. I I mean more in a sitting position, or at least with upper body more up a bit. lying down flat is cough territory.
Glad it has stopped raining, hope it continues… Enjoy enjoy enjoy… your pictures are wonderful.
Ellyn
December 28, 2024 @ 12:14 pm
Looks like things are looking up. Truly enjoy the store’s window displays. We rarely see them here in this country any more. How lovely to get to visit with two sets of Paris friends in one day. I hope you continue to enjoy your trip.
Cindi
December 28, 2024 @ 1:14 pm
Wonderful pictures! I rather like the window displays with the sketchy scenes of Paris and the colors they used. Just very pretty and very well done. I love seeing all the fashion displays and shoes, but seeing the Mariage Frères display was a treat. We always bring their tea home with us.
You two have made many friends over your years of holidays in Paris! Your joy of visiting with them shows in the photos and in your writing.
Hope your cough gets better soon!
December 28, 2024 @ 1:19 pm
Thanks Linda!
Don’t think Chocolat chou will compete with choucroute (sp?) Garnie!
Glad you and Bernie are on the mend.
December 28, 2024 @ 7:29 pm
Add “Ma petit” to “chou” and you have a term of endearment… 🙂
December 28, 2024 @ 11:43 pm
As always, I love the photos and they put me there! Hope the cough goes away soon.