Bonjour, petit chat!

I realize it may not be everyone's cup of tea
(so to speak), but my friends and I loved our visit to
Le Café des Chats, where 12 rescued kitties play,
lounge, and sleep among the clientele (and may jump
up in your lap for a cuddle and a scratch behind the ears).
This one is called Lovely, and she turned this felt
kitty "condo" into her own private bed.

[Today's prompt for the Thursday Photo Challenge
is "small animals." To see more, visit Dale's meme.]

A bit of a splurge

I'm so glad I ate here at the Grand Véfour when I
did—9 years ago, when the prix fixe lunch was
about $100 total.  Now it's at least half again more,
though no doubt still an incredible culinary experience.
Might be best to have lunch here rather than dinner, unless
you've just won the lottery and don't think 84 euros is
a tad dear for caviar "à la cuillère" (i.e., a third of an ounce) 
and some whole-wheat blinis—and that's just a starter.

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.]

Le Weekend en Noir et Blanc

Must admit that I was not an immediate fan of the
Colonnes de [conceptual artist Daniel] Buren
at the Palais Royal.  But they've grown on me—they
are a definite improvement over the parking lot that used
to occupy this space, and small children think they're
a playground.  Rosemary Kneipp (whose blog, Aussie in France, 
is always interesting and informative) told me when 
I met her in November that Buren's design was inspired 
by those de rigueur gray-and-white striped awnings that shade 
 the windows (including hers) overlooking the Palais Royal garden.

[To see more of The Weekend in Black and White,
visit Dragonstar's meme.]

Be still my heart

Clearly they are masters of more than just macarons
at Ladurée.  You could capture my heart on
Valentine's Day with this pretty pink confection—
though I'm not sure I could bring myself to cut into it!

[To see more Pink Saturday posts, visit Beverly's meme.]

ABC Wednesday—Y is for "yummy"

I had some delicious food in newly discovered (for me)
restaurants when I was in Paris.  But our best meal of the day
was often this one—collected on the way back to the apartment
 and enjoyed with a glass (or two) of wine as we
rehashed the high points of the day and planned the next.

Okay, this stuff is beyond yummy, but
for me it was mostly a "visual" feast.

[To see more ABC posts, go here.
And, of course, I'm Dreaming of France.]

Des ombres des arbres

I'm just back from a wonderful week in
Paris, where I met some talented—and inspiring—
expats (artists, photographers, designers)
who are living my dream of making it work in
our favorite city.  I also walked miles every day,
collecting "blog fodder" such as this beautiful
building in St. Germain des Prés.

[It's Shadow Shot Sunday. To see more, go here.
And as always, I'm Dreaming of France.]

I love my view!

I've been told that if you take a picture of
a person next to one of these stone creatures that
live atop Notre Dame, the chimera will look real and
the human will appear to be made of stone.  I've never
tested it out myself, but others I know have and guess what:
It's true.  If (or better yet, when) you go to Paris, climb 
the 387 steps of the north tower and try it out for yourself.
(Or just go up there for the awesome view!)

[It's Skywatch Friday. To see more, go here.]