Outdoor cafes, picnics under the cherry blossoms, long walks through historic neighbourhoods, bicycling, art galleries, chocolate shops, flea markets, and flower markets...it's April in Paris! The romance of Spring is celebrated by Parisiens and tourists. The city is dressed in pink.
April is the month when the big blossoms of cerisiers - cherry trees start to bloom. Ribbons of pink line the walkways in parks, and city squares. Photographers, with detailed maps of the best places to see the cherry blossoms, mingle with couples, families, and globe trotters under the spectacular floral arches of the trees.
The trees on the Champs de Mars, near the iconic Eiffel Tower are often photographed. The tower's wrought iron latice spire, reaching 324 metres (1,063 feet) into the sky, is softened by the pink underskirt of cherry blossoms. Square Jean XXIII, on the South side of Notre Dame Cathedral is another mecca for cherry blossom worshippers. Across from Notre Dame, on the Left Bank, there's a cluster of cherry trees framing Shakespeare and Company, the popular and picturesque English bookstore. Tour guides and bloggers say the "most beautiful tree in Paris" is found on the Left Bank, in Jardin des Plantes, France's main botanical garden, and part of the Museum d'histoire naturelle. The tree has giant pink pom-poms cascading from branches which almost touch the ground - a perfect tree to picnic under, after walking around Paris.
Paris is a very walkable city, ideal for strolls. The French have a word, la flanerie for happily wandering, and discovering the city. Seasoned travellers, say it's best to pick one sight to see each day, and improvise the rest of the day.
If your feet get tired, sit down in one of Paris' famed outdoor cafes. Delicious French croissants and pastries are divine when eaten en terrace. Enjoy a rich, dark coffee in a bowl, a thick hot chocolate, or an herbal tea known as a tissane, and do what everyone does in an outdoor cafe - people watch!
If you need to take shelter from one of April's showers, an indoor restaurant that is on every foodies must-see list, is the 121 year old Restaurant Chartier, also known as Bouillon Chartier, in the heart of Paris' Montmarte district. Chartier is legendary for good French food, at affordable prices. In 1989, it was named a monument historique. Here, it's possible to step back in time, and feel trendy at the same time, because the hippest bistros take their style cues from Chartier's high-vaulted ceilings, dark wood pillars, brass rails, and wood floors.
Parisiens and tourists alike take lunch on the run, or picnic. Every neighbourhood has cheese shops; bakeries with freshly baked breads and baguettes, cakes and pastries; butcher shops and delicatessens. Gourmet food is around every corner!
If you need to take shelter from one of April's showers, an indoor restaurant that is on every foodies must-see list, is the 121 year old Restaurant Chartier, also known as Bouillon Chartier, in the heart of Paris' Montmarte district. Chartier is legendary for good French food, at affordable prices. In 1989, it was named a monument historique. Here, it's possible to step back in time, and feel trendy at the same time, because the hippest bistros take their style cues from Chartier's high-vaulted ceilings, dark wood pillars, brass rails, and wood floors.
Parisiens and tourists alike take lunch on the run, or picnic. Every neighbourhood has cheese shops; bakeries with freshly baked breads and baguettes, cakes and pastries; butcher shops and delicatessens. Gourmet food is around every corner!
Paris is famous for its markets: fruit and vegetable markets, flower markets, antique markets and flea markets, all of them held in different neighbourhoods, on different days of the week. The flea markets, or Marche aux Puce go back centuries, to a time when rag pickers would fish through city garbage at night, looking for something they could resell the next day. They were called Pecheurs de Lune, or Moon Fishermen.
You never know what treasure you'll find in a Paris flea market. They have everything from lace curtains, to jewelry, to antique postcards and vintage sheet music. I have an antique porcelain doorknob decorated with a picture of a blue bird on a leafy branch. My sister found it while browsing in one of the many flea markets she visited while living in Paris.
The city is also famous for flower shops, with buckets and baskets brimming over with fresh cut flowers. and hand written chalkboard signs noting the name and price of each bouquet. Tulips, ranunculus, and gorgeous peonies are in abundance.
A must-see for flower lovers is the Flower Market of Paris, which dates back to 1808, and is now known as Marche aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II, or as the English would say, the Queen Elizabeth Flower Market. On June7th, 2014 the flower market was renamed in her honour, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Located on Isle de la Cite, the island where Notre Dame Cathedral stands, the flower market is open every day. On Sundays, there's also a bird market...you could leave with a bouquet of Parrot Tulips...and a parrot!
Photographs Copyright of: Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.
I loved Paris each time I was there. And I love your beautiful flowers and your Paris text.
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