A Trip To Paris


Last month, I spent 10 days in the City of Lights. (Business trip for hubby, pleasure for me.) The weather was typical winter in France -- highs only in the 40’s with rain and wind making most days raw. But that didn’t stop me from getting out and walking the fabulous streets, even though my daily souvenir was a very red nose.

I love Paris. The perfect city for a romance author!

You've heard of the lovers bridges over the Seine river, right? It's such a romantic concept! Hubby and I eagerly bought a padlock, put our initials and the date on it, locked it to the bridge and then threw the key into the river so that our love can't be unlocked and will always endure. Take a look at these other lovers. Amazing, right?... 




Our hotel was the George V, right off the Champs Elysée. And this was the amazingly quaint view from our balcony… 



And who would miss out on the chance to see these familiar sights?

Eiffel Tower

L'Arc de Triomphe

Notre Dame Cathedral

I.M.Pei's addition to the Louvre museum
The continental breakfast at the hotel was quite pricey, so every couple of days I would run out to the local grocery store (Monoprix) to pick up some fruit, sandwiches for lunch, and a bottle of wine to have before dinner. I felt sooo Parisienne carrying my groceries in their tote bag! (It says “Your life has never been so full/busy/complete.”)


One of the highlights of the trip was an exhibit at the Grand Palais of spectacular Cartier jewelry owned by Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Grace of Monaco, Queen Elizabeth, Wallis Simpson the Duchess of Windsor among other fabulously rich women. Just look at this tower of diamond tiaras!


And other fabulous jewelry…




I hope you’ve enjoyed this vicarious trip to Paris! To remember it by, I’m giving away this cute 12” x 14” Paris tote bag to one lucky winner:

Just answer this (very Google-able) question:  who designed the Eiffel Tower?  I’ll pick a randomly-generated winner, and announce it next month!

Good luck (or should I say “Bonne chance!”)

Jenna
www.jennaives.com


12 comments:

Carly Carson said...

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I was last in Paris almost 2 years ago but it's always a wonderful city. The name you want is itching on my tongue, but I can't spoil the contest. :) Oh, we did ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower on our last visit because my kids love things last that. I thought it was scary, in this totally packed, lurching elevator and when you get to the top everything is too far off to really enjoy. But it's definitely a bucket thing.

Jenna Ives said...

Glad you enjoyed the pictures, Carly! I wish it had been sunnier, but Paris is romantic at any time of year :)

Jenna

Natasha Moore said...

Would love to go to Paris someday, Great pics. Thanks for sharing :)

Hmmm, When I Google your question...which I thought was going to be ovbious...Eiffel...right? He was referred to as both Alexandre Gustave Eiffel and Gustave Eiffel. But there was also mention several times of architect Stephen Sauvestre as designer as well.

Love the bag :)

Robin Bielman said...

Hi Jenna! Oh, Paris is at the top of my wish list of places to visit! I so long to see the Eiffel Tower in person!! Loved your pictures and felt like I was almost there - thanks for sharing them! Let's see, Gustave Eiffel's company built the tower, but I think the design was by one of his employees - Koechlin.

Desere said...

Hi Jenna I totally know the answer but I would be spoiling the contest! I have always wanted to visit Paris just love all the pictures you posted, it was a little look into the Parisian world! Thank you!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the pictures. I enjoyed them very much!! :-)

vickie dailey said...

Stephen Sauvestre - really cool pictures - never heard the lock story before - the jewelry is exquisite

Unknown said...

Forgot to name the builder. Gustave Eiffel.

Sandy McVicar said...

My daughter just learned this in French class. It was Maurice Koechlin.

catslady said...

whilst Eiffel and his team were behind the initial project and were the engineers that planned and built the tower, it was actually an architect called Stephen Sauvestre who gave the tower much of its distinct look. I had a few days in Paris over 35 years ago - it was magical and I'd love to go back.

Unknown said...

Hi Jenna, my answer is Stephen Sauvestre! love the tote bag!

Susan P said...

I find the name Gustave Eiffel as the answer. :)
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