The Earful Tower and

 Bonjour tout le monde!

I am a fan of the Earful Tower, a podcast by Oliver Gee, who has also created a great community.  He interviews interesting people, mostly in Paris, and finds wonderful ways to share his life in the City of Light.  Earlier this year, he published a list of things to do your first (second, third and fourth) time in Paris.   

If you have been to Paris, how many of these things have you done?  

Fortunately, I have done all of the first list.

I have been to Paris so many times I have lost count. I have been to the Louvre; it is nice to skip the big stuff and explore all the other parts of the museum - it is the largest one in the world so there is so much more than the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and the Venus de Milo.  There are decorative arts, tons of Egyptian relics and also the crown jewels of France (didn't know they had any, right?)

I would add to this list

11. See the stained glass dome at the Galeries Lafayette.  Fortunately it is very near the Printemps, so you can do both in one trip!

Want to know more about the Earful Tower and join the community?   https://theearfultower.com/

You ca can also find their videos on YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/@TheEarfulTower

Le Train Bleu

 Bonjour tout le monde,

This past January, I went to Paris with a cousin and my daughter to celebrate a shared birthday with my cousin.  We had a great time shopping, eating, more shopping, more eating, and a visit to the Louvre thrown in.

Highlights of the trip included dinner at le Train Bleu, a fabulous restaurant that opened in 1901 as a "buffet de la gare".  That is because it is located in the Gare de Lyon (one of the 7 train stations in Paris).  Soon, this buffet became "the" place for high society travelers.  In 1963, the restaurant was named Le Train Bleu to commemorate the Paris-Vintimille” line that stopped at towns along the Mediterranean coast. 

This is the most amazing restaurant; the décor is from the Belle Epoque, with lots of paintings of pastoral scenes.  The menu includes their famous rack of lamb, which is on a wheeled trolley.  I did not order that, but had the steak instead.  The waiters are amazing, and there is even a presentation about the grand history of trains. 

If you have the time (and the $$) be sure to make reservations to eat at this wonderful spot. https://www.le-train-bleu.com/fr/