Most of my life, I spent Easter in Florida with family, attending church services, relaxing at the beach, dyeing eggs, and of course, eating! Living in Europe with my hubby, holidays have a new spin! And, I love it! We go with the flow, and do what we feel.
So, what is Easter like in France? Easter is celebrated all weekend, even on Monday, people spend time with family, cook traditional meals like lamb and other spring items. On Monday (day after Easter), outside of the tourist areas everything is closed. Leading up to the holiday weekend, shop fronts and bakeries are decorated with chocolate rabbits, fish, eggs, bells, and other signs of spring.
Window displays for EasterEaster eggs in ParisChocolate Easter eggs at Stohrer, the oldest pastry shop in Paris
There are Easter Egg hunts, chocolates, and colored eggs, but the Easter Bunny is justnow becoming popular in France. A common tradition I like, is the cloches volantes, or “flying bells”. So, the story is, no church bells ring between Friday and Easter Sunday morning bc the bells fly to Rome to visit the pope to receive a blessing, then they return with treats for the good kiddos. Cute, right?!
I see these candy displays during many holidays in France. I am not sure what they are called, but I like them! We were given this when we went out one night. I call them candy cakes.
Do you have a place where you like to go for a mini escape? Maybe a private beach, a park, or even your own backyard? When I am in Florida, I go to the beach or bike trails to find peace. Since living in Paris I have discovered many tranquil spots.
Lately, I love visiting Montmartre, the hills of Paris! Located on the right bank, in the northern section of the city is the hilly part of town with the famous, Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur at the peak of the large hill (usually the main attraction for tourists). The view from the tippy-top is STUNNING!
This is my peaceful/happy place (on a sunny day).
It gets a pretty crowded on nice days when in season, so I like to go on weekdays or early mornings.
You know the anticipation you feel when you are about to walk into a special building, park, or even a home? You are not really sure what to expect.. You can see it’s beauty from the outside, but when you actually walk in, it takes your breath away!
Well, these are my feelings about The Paris Opera house, known as Palais Garnier, which was built from 1861 to 1875 for the Paris Opera.
The emperor Napoleon III held an architectural design competition for the new opera house in 1860, and he awarded the job to Charles Garnier, hence the name.
I have wandered around the outside many times, marveling at the gold details, huge columns, statues, and famous composers etched in stone.
Living in Paris I have learned to truly enjoy sunny days. Coming from Florida, sunny days are a part of life. It’s easy to get used to the simple pleasures in life, ya know?! What is your favorite thing about where you live?
This photo is an example of why I LOVE this city! Colorful surprises are around every corner.
Yes, gray days are pretty common in France, but on the bright side, a dull sky makes colors pop around the city! Everywhere I go in this city, I see beautiful colors. That is (one of) my favorite things about where we live.
Character all around me!View along Canal Saint-Martin
Have you ever re-discovered a part of town that you never paid much attention to? Recently, I have been visiting the lively and vibrant, Latin Quarter. This district is located in the heart of Paris in the left bank (opposite the Seine River from The Notre-Dame Cathedral).
Street cendor located on the Seine River. See the Notre-Dame in backround 🙂
Imagine a busy, colorful area in a European city packed with tight winding side-streets, cafes, bars, pastry shops, restaurants, eclectic boutiques, and more. Eye candy for a tourist or photo lover!
Fridays are great, Saturdays are amazing, but I have to say Sundays are my favorite!
What is your favorite day??
The song, Easy Like Sunday Morning plays in my head every Sunday morning while I am chilling around the house with my husband. There is something simple and relaxing about Sundays. Ya know?
It’s a new weekend, but I am still thinking about last Sunday and I want to share my idealSunday in Paris!
Selfie with The Seine River on a Sunday afternoon
Jason had an away game, so I decided to go explore, I hopped on the Metro with plans of visiting Saint Chapelle (Holy Chapel). Well, as soon as I got off the Metro, I got sidetracked by an outdoor market (they get me every time).
Cite Metro (Next to Sainte-Chapelle and the Marche aux Fleurs)Sainte-Chapelle (to the left)
Sipping on a Café (coffee/espresso) while sitting at a Parisian café is one of my favorite things to do. How do you take your coffee? I like mine straight up, the stronger the better!
Outdoor seating! The warmer months in Paris – October 2016
Cafés are staple rendezvous points in Paris. Most cafés offer much more than tea and coffees. Typically the menus include plat du jour (special of the day), croque monsieur (yummy melty cheese sandwich), onion soup, salads, frites (fries), vin (wine), beer (bier), and more. Here are some of my fav Café experiences from the last few months.
Day date with my husband at L’ Affiche Cafe in Montmartre
What gets you into the holiday spirit? Growing up in Florida, holiday break felt more like spring break! Luckily, I experienced the holiday season in Paris this year! The city transforms into a winter wonderland.
Marché de Noël des Champs-Elysées (Christmas Market)Marché de Noël des Champs-Elysées
I was introduced to Marches de Noel (Christmas Markets), when I moved to Europe. Imagine a holiday themed village with Santa, games, rides, ice skating rinks, and 100’s of stalls selling everything from French cheeses to handmade soaps. The markets are open from November through late December.
November 2016My handsome hubby, at the St. Germain Christmas Market! This is a smaller, charming market, compared to the others.I look a little too excited! Too much sugar?! haha!
Paris has about 6 markets spread-out across the city, the largest market is, Le Marché de Noël de La Défense (La Defense Christmas Market).
Le Marché de Noël de La Défense (La Defense Christmas Market). The city sky line, makes this market so unique!Le Marché de Noël de La Défense (La Defense Christmas Market)
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My last post was all about FALLing in LOVE with Paris in autumn. I shared the brilliant colors in nature, fall street wear, and gave you a peak into the local Parisienne parks.
Well, I had to dedicate another post to FALL in Paris, because I can’t get enough! This time, it’s all about the delicious, WARM treats that are served throughout the city during the cooler months.
There are many walk up crepe windows! You can choose sweet or savory.
The first time I traveled to Paris I fell in love, kind of like the way NYC makes me feel, alive! You must have traveled to a place, near or far, that you remember visiting for the first time, and you felt instantly connected! The experience of living in a big city has been a dream of mine since I was young. I remember being a little girl and telling my Mom, I wanted to live in an apartment, above a florist in NYC when I grow up.. Well, it’s not NYC and it’s not above a florist, but I am grown and living in Paris with my husband!
Exploring The Montmarte neighborhood the first month I moved to Paris. When it was still summer weather! *sigh*
Our apartment building in Paris
Bedroom and Estelle (of course)!
Kitchen
Front room
Of course, we call Florida home. Each May the European basketball season ends, and we head back to Florida, for a summer break at home. It’s amazing to be home with friends and family, but in the back of my mind I wonder, where will we be living next season? It’s usually a different city, or even a new country each season (Luckily for me, we returned to Paris for second season). Once August rolls around, our summer winds down and we prepare for another basketball season abroad. We pack up as much of our lives that we can fit into suitcases, mail packages overseas filled with our beloved American products, and say goodbye to our home. Once we have filled our luggage to the brim, packed up Estelle in her travel bag, and begin our journey towards the airport, we are in THE travel zone, and at this point my stomach is usually in knots! You know that feeling when you think you are forgetting something?Yea, that’s always me when I am traveling.
I needed to fit all of this (and more, much more) into two suitcases!I did it! I found a new talent! lolTwo out of the four boxes I sent before my departure date. Usually filled with American kitchen/bathroom products, vitamins, and sometimes extra shoes that couldn’t fit in the luggage (don’t judge lol). *Boxes are larger than they appear*
After paying a small fortune to check all of our luggage, get through security, and make it to our flight’s gate, I am able breathe again.
Estelle all ready to board the flight from Atlanta to Paris!
After a long flight, a couple of movies, and a sleeping pill, we arrive! It’s a surreal, yet exciting feeling to arrive in a country that felt a world away, my entire life, but is now a 2nd home. Immediately, we are immersed in a foreign land, language, and culture. The first couple of days are spent adjusting and settling in.. Oh yea, and eating warm croissants, while sipping on fresh brewed espresso (something I miss SO much when I am in FL). Whenever I first arrive in Europe, I feel like life suddenly slows down a bit.. Buildings and local streets feel rich with history, people seem at leisure (except when driving, that’s another story), and overall less is more. After the initial shock fades, time seems to start flying by! So I make lists of all my must see, must do, must eat, and must learn during the next 9 months. You never know what life will bring, I certainly did not think I would be living in Europe 9 months out of the year, especially not in Paris! But here I am, and I would not change my life for anything. So, stay excited for life, you never know what is around the corner. Can’t wait to share my adventures with you!
View from the top of The Eiffel Tower.
“Give thanks for unknown blessing already on their way”!- Native American Proverb
Gardenia Trails 