What’s Your Favorite “Purely Paris Photo of the Day?”
Bonjour mes amis,
Hasn’t it been fun being together for almost two months and allowing us to share Paris with you? We’ve loved it and hope we’ve taught you to see this wonderful city in a tender way. Life here is sometimes difficult, but so worth it in every regard. It’s not for everyone, I suppose, but certainly fills our hearts with joy and memories.
We had a “pique-nique” lunch on the river enjoying the much cooler temps.
And then for dinner, we had one of the most, if not THE most memorable meals we’ve ever had in Paris at Dessance, a restaurant recommended by Jim Bilbro on rue des Archives. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it as we sat close at the bar where the food was being prepared. Every time you go will be different as the ingredients are seasonal and totally fresh. There were five people working constantly to prepare each dish which was like painting a beautiful picture. Each had a task, and they were like an orchestra in perfect synchrony. I had a difficult time hearing all the descriptions but if you go to Jim Bilbro’s Facebook page, he nailed it. If you’re a foodie, this is a place you must visit. It’s casual, reasonably affordable, and delicious down to the last bite! I’m sorry the dishes aren’t in the correct order, but this program I use jumbles everything up, and it takes too darn long to insert each photo separately.
So we rolled out of Dessance about 11pm. The ticket was about $300 for the four of us so yes, a bit pricey. It’s only money, as we like to say. If you don’t mind a slow meal and many exquisite new taste combinations, save your pennies and go! It’s not for everyone for sure.
And now to our little contest to pick the favorite “Purely Paris Photo of the Day.” I’ve done the work for you. Choose one by the title and respond in the comment section of the blog if you wish. I’ll announce the winner tomorrow when I post my final, sentimental summary blog.
Ah, finally done. This has taken quite a while to do so indulge me and make your selection in the comment section or you can email me.
It’s raining outside mid-morning and very cool. Tonight our dinner with the neighborhood gang on rue Etienne Marcel. So much food!!
À bientôt,
L & B
July 22, 2017 @ 8:45 am
Wonderful collection of purely Paris photos! All are great but I have to go with the musician on the metro. They are everywhere! It seems the quality is a bit better this year than in previous years. For a really Parisian experience, you needed a photo of the one-note lady at the Sunday market at the Bastille with a recording of her “music”.
July 22, 2017 @ 9:29 am
Thanks, Peggy. You’re the very first vote!
July 22, 2017 @ 9:31 am
It was hard but I picked “Artist painting our apartment”
July 22, 2017 @ 9:48 am
Thanks, David! I love that one too. Just wish we could have bought it but he disappeared and never came back.
July 22, 2017 @ 10:48 am
We have so enjoyed your trip with you! You have given us some very good restaurant tips for our next visit.
Look forward to meeting up again next year
A bientot
Antonia x
July 22, 2017 @ 10:51 am
Ps: for me the Paris photo is the Miss Manon pastries – they are so creative in Paris with their pastries and too inviting
July 22, 2017 @ 11:19 am
Absolutely, we look forward to our rendezvous at the tearoom! Our dates are 15 June to 15 Aug.
You all must try Dessance for a remarkable meal.
July 22, 2017 @ 5:23 pm
Dessance is definitely on the list! X
July 22, 2017 @ 10:53 am
Diner en blanc tutu … what a fun tradition!
July 22, 2017 @ 11:21 am
Accordion player at Montmartre was my favorite but it was a difficult choice as Loved so many of them.
July 22, 2017 @ 11:49 am
Too hard to choose! My vote goes to Artist painting your apartment 🙂
Dessance looks absolutely amazing! How special to have that experience on one of this trip’s last nights in Paris.
Merci for pulling all those photos into one post. They are all wonderful. Bon weekend L&B!!
July 22, 2017 @ 11:52 am
Tough choice – all are wonderful. But I have to go with Diner en blanc tutu! It just captures that free spirit of Paris.
Thank you for your beautiful words and photos. I will truly miss my morning treat with your posts. Bon voyage and I hope to see you both soon. Merci beaucoups!
July 22, 2017 @ 11:55 am
I’m so sad that your visit to the City of Light is coming to an end, and will miss reading your daily blog with my morning coffee. Although I love all the photos, my vote goes to Musician on the Metro.
July 22, 2017 @ 12:03 pm
So hard to choose! Such a wonderful variety! I’ll go with the Chimney Pots, but love all the others too!
July 22, 2017 @ 12:07 pm
For some reason today’s blog didn’t come to my email, so had to search for it the long way. Now I want to vote again for the Window Boxes!
July 22, 2017 @ 12:08 pm
As others have indicated, it is difficult to pick just one but the Girl with the Umbrella speaks to me. Thank you again for sharing.
July 22, 2017 @ 12:39 pm
I choose the picture of street roses.
July 22, 2017 @ 12:57 pm
I have loved “being with you “on this years Paris visit! I BIG THANK YOU to you and Bernie for the gift of sharing your joy!
I just loved the composition and the historical feel to THE CAT IN THE WINDOW but I also had a hard time choosing.
Safe travels home. God speed.
Jemalee
July 22, 2017 @ 1:07 pm
Linda, all of the pictures reflect a beautiful Paris and was hard to choose just one, but I pick Musicians on the Subway. Once again I couldn’t wait to read your blog every morning to see what fun experience you were going to take us on for the day. Thanks for everything and safe travels home.
July 22, 2017 @ 1:08 pm
Musician on the Metro… especially since we got to see it live! Thanks for letting us invade for a week this year…the kids will remember for a lifetime. Email your flight info again please. Safe travels home!
July 22, 2017 @ 1:16 pm
Girl with the umbrella is my favorite as it shows the individuality, artistry, and spirit that is Paris!
July 22, 2017 @ 1:48 pm
Musicians on the subway is my vote for Purely Paris photo. They were all so delightful plus so many (good job Bernie, Linda) that I predict there will not be a winner!
Every last entry on the blog I’ve read but haven’t had the time to comment since it takes me so darn long to type! Thinking back though my impression is how special this time in his homeland is for Bernie…and how the laundry process and HOT weather doesn’t dim the City of Lights for you! Beautiful blog…
P.S. Which entry has the working link for James’ special talent???
July 22, 2017 @ 2:14 pm
Amy, are you talking about the video that Bernie’s son, James, took? I’ll try to email it to you. Love ya! Or go to the post for July 14 on Bastille Day and it should be there. Some have gotten it to work; some haven’t.
July 22, 2017 @ 1:53 pm
Chris and I could taste the dinner at Dessance with Jim Bilbro’s pictures and your descriptions — delicious presentations there
July 22, 2017 @ 1:57 pm
They are all so interesting! I choose the Artist Painting Our Apartment. Thanks for all the posts!
July 22, 2017 @ 1:59 pm
I vote for Man with pigeons in his arms. I have absolutely loved every post and the food makes me want to travel to Paris again. Thanks Linda for all of your efforts to share the beauty and everyday life with us
July 22, 2017 @ 2:08 pm
Diner in Blanc is my favorite. Something I hope you and Bernie can bring to Huntsville. The girl with the umbrella should be a painting. She is so wonderful.
July 22, 2017 @ 2:12 pm
It was way too hard to pick just one, Linda, so we’re taking advantage of being two people, and giving ourselves two votes each. Marlyn picks “Girl with Umbrella” as his very favorite, with “Accordian Player” as a close second. Monica’s are “Diner en Blanc Tutu” and “Salmon in Window.” Great stuff! We’re sad that your (and our) trip must end.
July 22, 2017 @ 2:16 pm
Speaking for Charles, as he loved sneaking pics of children over there, I’ll submit girl with umbrella. As for me, le chat in window. Doing this took my mind off things for a while. Rough day.
July 22, 2017 @ 3:01 pm
I pick two dogs…I think it captures the ‘sense of Paris’.
July 22, 2017 @ 3:14 pm
Diner en blanc tutu
July 22, 2017 @ 3:33 pm
1/2 vote to ‘Umbrella Girl’ in line at the Christian Dior exposition and obviously preparing for/dreaming of her time on a fashion runway someday. 1/2 vote to ‘Subway Girl’ or Little Hippy Chick with flowers in her hair and sandals on her feet. Congratulations to both you and Bernie on another successful, fun, entertaining, and educational trip. Maybe you would consider a Christmas in Paris trip. We’re sure you’re ready to get home, relax, and enjoy your memories. Thank you.
July 22, 2017 @ 3:42 pm
Linda; My vote is for The Lovers. That speaks to me as PARIS in all it’s glory.
Plaisir d’amour
Fred
July 22, 2017 @ 3:46 pm
Little girl on the subway! Thanks all of the posts you have shared! Travel home safely!
July 22, 2017 @ 3:51 pm
I have to vote for Two Dogs at Cafe. To me that photo could only be Paris!
Thanks for your delightful daily blogs and for all the time you spend entertaining us during all of June and July. It’s been a great ride!!
Bon voyage!
July 22, 2017 @ 4:08 pm
Oh, Linda. This is your next book – all of these: Summer in Paris, 2017. It has been such a joy to read your posts; I appreciate your dedication to sharing each day. So, to select “purely Paris” (ranking is actual tie – noticing that all are of people)
1. Accordion player at Montmartre
2. Girl with umbrella
3. The lovers
Dinner shown here must be a “purely Paris” as well. How will you face dining out anywhere when you come home??? The price seems quite reasonable for the exquisite meal and pairings for you four. Have you and Bernie thought of opening a truly French restaurant here? Enjoy your last day(s) and safe travels.
July 22, 2017 @ 5:52 pm
There is something here for everyone. “Poetry art on the street” sums up Paris and Parisians best for me. The hints of Paris in the wrought iron railings and architecture. The Parisian love of using railings and public places to express themselves. It celebrates the Parisian love of culture in both the art and also the great Parisian thinkers of the past, amusingly summed up in the piece bottom left… “Are you happy with life? Is life happy with you?” Magic!
Most of all thank you for all your posts and photos of your time in Paris which have been entertaining and uplifting. Antonia and I so enjoyed see you both again in Paris and we look forward to seeing you again next year. Love to you both from London.
July 22, 2017 @ 8:06 pm
What a difficult task…all are so, so Paris! I have come to look forward to your blog every morning…what am I going to do now? Thanks for taking the time to share everyday with us. My favorite, then, is Musician on the Subway! Pure delight!
July 22, 2017 @ 8:29 pm
I have chosen Chimney Pots. Thank you for a summer full of fun with you and Bernie in Paris. Hope we can do it again.
July 22, 2017 @ 9:51 pm
I have so enjoyed this year’s blog I had to purchase Bernie’s Paris to help me wind down from it!
I thought right away “Cat in the Window” would be my favorite yet it worries me it could sort of seem like a photo from Greece. So “Poetry in the Park” is my choice, it has so much going for it that is French yet maybe a little atypical. I also loved Miss Manon’s pastry display and The Lovers, which would be more Purely Paris maybe…but “Poetry in the Park” is something to look at longer! Yes, you can tell how hard the choice was!
July 22, 2017 @ 9:54 pm
Thanks for purchasing our book!!!
July 23, 2017 @ 3:04 am
The book is very fun and interesting for this armchair Paris traveler. I hope you understood my misquote of the title for my choice..”Poetry Art on the Street”.
The dinner you had looks so incredible! What interesting tastes and how difficult it must be to damage the art!
July 23, 2017 @ 1:52 am
Linda, thank you for sharing your time in Paris. I greatly enjoyed the photos. I like the cat in the window, but several others as well. Jim
July 23, 2017 @ 5:38 am
True to your book, I’m going to have to go with Lovers!! But artist painting your apartment and girl w/umbrella were my next favs!!
July 23, 2017 @ 3:52 pm
The Lovers!!! PDA’s are just Paris to me!
July 23, 2017 @ 7:05 pm
Umbrella Girl is my favorite
July 24, 2017 @ 12:40 am
I’m choosing “Bastille Day Scarf” – not for the scarf, but for the two women – sitting at a sidewalk café, sipping rosé wine, and talking (with hands!) I’m sure there’s a flower stall just next to them. 😉
July 26, 2017 @ 3:55 am
Linda! Which was your favorite???
July 26, 2017 @ 9:09 am
Probably, the musician on the subway which came in second, not so much because of the picture but because my grandchildren were with us when the picture was taken. They gave him a coin, and were excited to do that!
July 26, 2017 @ 2:25 pm
Spoken like a true grandmom.
July 26, 2017 @ 11:21 am
Very sweet memory, bringing the photo alive.
Thanks, I really enjoyed reading about the experiences of the grandchildren’. Their excitement in the airport seeing you, was palpable.