Interested in a Music and Markets Tour? We’d love to hear from you!
We’re looking ahead to Spring – Aix en Provence for the Easter Festival.
One of our favorite French words (and activities!) is flaneur. It describes a person on a leisurely stroll or wander,usually in a city, just enjoying and taking in the sights, sounds, smells on the way. No particular destination, no tasks to accomplish, just reveling in the beauty and life of one’s surroundings.
So today, Sunday, we’re flaneurs in Paris, stopping to admire whatever we want such as this pretty building on rue Madame, taking our time, counting our blessings as we stroll.
Stop a while and listen to a bit of Dixieland jazz here, pause for a lunch of French classics (Onion Soup for Monsieur, goat cheese salad for Madame),
enjoying the views as we sit in prime flaneur seats, both facing out at our tiny café table.
And what flaneur doesn’t engage in a little leche vitrine (window licking – French for window shopping)? Russian Christmas decorations here,
a tropical macaron fantasy at Laduree…
It’s a quiet Sunday on the Seine – Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle that way,
the Eiffel Tower a hike away in the other direction.
We were reminded, by an article received from France Today this morning, of the Palais Royale, which we haven’t visited in decades, so we seek out the striped columns in one courtyard, 
and the gardens
surrounded with boutique-lined arcades in another.
A few steps further, and there’s pretty Galerie Vivienne, Paris’ predecessor to shopping malls, but how very much more charming!
The bookseller and most of the shops are closed, the tearooms are open – an inviting pause.
I have to admit, we do have one item on our agenda – the windows of the Grands Magasins (department stores), the holiday extravaganzas of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. 
The Noel Monstre (monster Christmas) of Galeries Lafayette is of no interest to me – though the children packed before the window obviously love it! The Burberry Magical Voyage of Noel windows of Printemps, though, are adorable, 
with charming and playful scenes of snowscapes, Paris and London and beyond.
Returning across the Seine with a smile, we watch the Eiffel Tower twinkle, 
and enjoy a few decorated streets of the big city
before returning to cozily small Aix tomorrow.
The best way to describe us (Kirk and Anne Woodyard) is that we're interested in the stories that make the places we visit come alive.
We've visited Europe more times than we can count, learned some entertaining stories there, and met some warm and helpful people who also enjoy the wonders of music and life in Europe. Between our music-related travels, we split our time between our homes near Washington DC and in the the south of France. We look forward to sharing these stories and friends and experiences with you.
I do so love your photography and stories. This time you reminded John and I of our trip to Paris a few years ago and as always made us long to return…and I know we will. Thank you.
Paris IS always a grand idea, Anne, and I can’t think of a better way to spend time than as a flaneur in the City of Lights. Beautiful photos to inspire anyone’s Parisian journey . . .
Wow…hope to go there in 2016! Flaneur sounds like cruisers in English!
I’d love to flaneur in Paris. However as fun as window shopping in Paris might be the translation “window licking” fall a little short… Gorgeous photos and thanks for the armchair tour. Meanwhile, I’m dreaming of Paris…
I know have a new favourite word – flaneur. I have to remind myself to take more opportunity to be a flaneur, wherever I am. Your photos of Paris are great, a wonderful place for a leisurely stroll.
Wonderful photos of Paris- love it lit up for Christmas. It really is The City of Lights.
What a fun tour, I also love to window shop, especially the large store windows of Paris during Xmas. Thanks for taking us there today!
What a lovely day you had. A bowl of that delicious French onion soup would work for me right now. It’s super cold here in Korea this morning!
We just spent a few fantastic days in Paris last month. Thanks for the great reminders. 🙂
Thanks for bringing up the concept of being a flaneur. I’ve had some wonderful times when I lapsed into being one, instead of a focused stroller with an itinerary or agenda. I am looking forward to being one again sometime soon. Wouldn’t mind if I am in Paris for the experience!
There is no place in the world like Paris! Your photography evokes wonderful memories.
Ah Paris. She is always so beautiful. I really enjoyed reading your post. Your photos are great!
It’s been WAY too long since I’ve been to Paris and I think it’s time to go back (in the Spring)!
Paris is such a great city to walk around. The window displays remind me of NYC.
Loved the pix, and the memories they evoke. Can’t think of a good reason for not wandering around France. I see you’re heading for Aix in 2015. It’s an area I’m particularly fond of.
So glad to hear you all enjoyed the Paris views and memories!. Yes, Ursula, we are in Aix as often as we can be! I just returned yesterday from our much-loved apartment, Ambiance d’Aix, where kitchen renovations are nearly complete. And two of our Music and Markets tours are in Aix as well, beginning with the marvelous Festival de Paques in April. Although we love visiting Paris, Aix is our home in France and we love it more each time we’re there!
Thank you for taking me back to one of the places I love most in the world. Your story and photos bring me right back to the city of light. I can not wait to return. Merci beaucoup!
What a beautiful walk down memory lane. No matter when you have visited, and for me it was quite a few years ago, Paris remains at the from of my memories. Wonderful!