PennyWise in Paris

After much budget crunching and complex navigation of the world of travel rewards systems, my husband and I were able to realize an end of summer jaunt overseas: 
first stop, the City of Lights! 

 While online searches and advice from experienced travel bloggers recommended thousands of helpful tips and must-visit locales for enjoying this most popular of destinations, with limited time, sadly we could only get a small glimpse of the delightful Vie Parisienne.

 With a promise not to bore anyone with endless "what I did on my vacation photos", I thought I'd share a few of the fun, fascinating and of course, pennywise highlights and projects inspired by our trip in a few of my upcoming posts.   

Artful Dining

Having recommendations from two reliable and Paris savvy blogger sources Botanic blue and Tina Boomerina, we had one of our most enjoyable (and surprisingly affordable) meals in the restaurant at the Musee D'Orsay. Open late on Thursdays, we popped in on a whim (admission covered by a must-buy museum pass) and with minimal crowds we were able to score a table sans reservation. France's version of a "museum cafeteria" features painted gilded ceilings, soaring windows, chandeliers and delightful and attentive service. For the price of an average cafe lunch we had wonderful dinner after admiring the collections.

A renovated train station the D'Orsay is an open and airy unique venue to admire some truly wonderful masterpieces. 

The Musee de la Chasse et la Nature

or, Pardon me, there's a bear in the parlor

 Paris' most famous draws are spectacular but can be crowded and sometimes overwhelming when scheduled back to back. Why not take a break from the maddening crowd and pay a visit to the quieter, smaller, and sometimes quirkier venues the city offers.

I had seen some information on the Musee de Chasse and Nature and popped in for a quick visit. As an avid animal lover it might seem an unusual choice to visit a hunting and nature museum but after reading about how it elegantly portrayed mans interaction with the natural world etc etc, my interest was piqued-  plus I wanted to see the giant polar bear.  

                         Lions survey the gallery                         A fox sleeping on a tapestry chair

The museum is housed in a beautiful limestone circa 1650 building and worth every bit of the modest 8€ entry fee. It features an unusual array of taxidermied animals set cheekily among beautiful art, antiques and contemporary animal themed works. Because there were only a handful of visitors that day, the accommodating staff were happy to personally and enthusiastically fill us in on some of the fascinating facts about the exhibit. The museums petite manageable size made it a perfect attraction for a quick visit when you find yourself with some extra time or a rainy afternoon keeps you inside.

lovely garden courtyard

The dog room celebrates all things canine

All photos CPaul2013

Of course Paris lives up to it's reputation as a shopper's paradise, but if budget (and luggage space) prevent a major spree, window shopping can be a delightful, inspiring and (for the strong willed) free activity. Boutiques brim with an amazing array of merchandise but it's the exquisite and artful arrangements that make Paris shops so special. Even the casual corner flower stands are thoughtfully displayed.

While taking photos inside shops is frowned upon, I freely snapped away outside for my digital "scrapbook" of inspiration to refer to later. From the use of bold colors to the creative juxtaposition of unique objects, the art of display in France is just that.

    

 Lock up Love

The Ponts des Arts

Want to embrace the romance of Paris for the price of a padlock? The famous bridge boasts thousands of locks emblazoned with initials and declarations of amour! With a lock and a sharpie you can help ensure your romance will last a lifetime (although no data actually supports this). Simply write names or a message on the padlock, attach to the bridge and toss the key into the Seine below. Snap a photo as a fun romantic keepsake. 

I happened to catch a bride and groom as we were walking by, a pretty common site.

PennyWise Paris Tips

Dining out every meal can get pricey. Many travel experts and friends wisely recommended substituting non-stop restaurant dining with improvised al fresco meals, much like natives of Paris do.
If you pack a small penknife with corkscrew in your (checked) luggage, you can buy some wine, gourmet cheese and fresh fruit at a local market and you'll be ready to enjoy your delicious picnic fare and people watching in one of the wonderful scenic parks.
You can even go all out and pack a blanket and non breakable cups if space allows.

All Photos property of CPaul 2013