What you need to know about Paris

What you need to know going to Paris:

Do not wear open toe shoes. This is a very dirty city.
If it rains buy an umbrella. It rains a lot in Paris and we get 1 week in August usually were it get in the 90 - 95 degrees.

There is no AC pretty much anywhere...

Take your time to figure out the subway system and it takes a long time to go anywhere.

It's OK to get lost. Parisian get lost all the time.

You can get a week pass for the subway in Paris where you can get on the subway as many times as you want. It's cheaper than to use 1 ticket each time you go in. Bring 1 passport picture to use for your pass card.

Parisians wear a lot of black and dark colors.

Do not wear short shorts. Not sanitary with the subway and seating everywhere...

There is a lot of nice people in Paris and they will help you.

Do not jump to catch the subway at the last minute. You could get stuck in the doors and it pinches hard. Although there is always some nice natives like me to help you out and open the doors for you if you get stuck...I have done it many times.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.

By Isabelle Thornton

Paris trip: Back to Paris

Notre Dame

 My last day in Paris, I was back to see my family. I was not able to see all my friends and family but 5 days was too short to see everybody. I still managed to see my friends Monique and Nadine and we went to an Indian restaurant at the beginning of my trip and it was wonderful to see them.
My last day I spend it with my close family in Paris. We met at the Notre dame. It was my favorite place to meet when I was younger and still is.

 La Seine

 This is all the pretty places you see if you walk around Notre dame. Then we took the subway and went to Les champs Elysees.

 Les Champs Elysees

La Duree is on the Les Champs Elysee. Sephora also, so we all smelled super good!

 Paris has the prettiest buildings and architecture.

And prettiest double doors.

 I love those real topiaries.

Cartier building and store. Fancy!

My 2 brothers, Mimi, my cousin and my Mom. At the Champ Elysee.

With me.

This is the Viaduc de Passy. A very famous bridge. It is in a lot of movies. It's on the way to the Eiffel tower.

Mimi and the Eiffel tower or La tour Eiffel.

We went on the top of the Eiffel tower.

You can see all the old buildings. They are all beautiful and the same style.

It was our last day. We went home the next day.

Bisous!

By Isabelle Thornton

Deauville beach: Paris trip

I am super late on blogging about our trip last summer but oh well...better late than never.  My cousin took us to Deauville. It is a very famous beach in Normandie. The parasols are really bright and beautiful on the beach. I was very exited to go there since I haven't been to the beach for years and I really missed it. It was really great to spend some time with my cousin most of all.

 Mimi and I on the beach.

 My cousin treated us to ice cream and waffles. so yummy!

 An Hermit crab...How cool is that!

My cousin and her daughter on the beach.

French Country dream backyard tour

I am still not done with the posts about my trip I did in August. We spend 2 days at my Uncle and Aunt's house in Normandy. We ate outside everyday and my Aunt is such a great host and spoiled us with 4 courses meals. She is such a fantastic cook too! A little peak into their backyards:

Eating outside is such a favorite. I used to do it as much as we could when I was a kid growing up in the Country. I moved to Paris when I was 13.

Fantastic outside barbecue build by my Uncle.

Our little cousin.

The backyard is on the hill, my Uncle build levels.

 They have such a wonderful view!

 A cute shed on one of the levels. They also have a chicken coop and had chickens few years ago.

 They have lots of roses, Hydrangeas. It's full and beautiful in every corner. Full of blooms.

Lots of fruit tress and berries. The best strawberries!

My dream garden!

Thanks so much for my uncle and aunt for their hospitality!

All pics are by Isabelle Thornton copyrighted.

Night festival at Honfleur: Paris trip

My Aunt, her daughter and grand daughter (my only cousin on my Dad's side) took us to the night festival at Honfleur. Honfleur is a beautiful and colorful port. You can't really see the colors in my pictures but it is very pretty at night too. They also had a night time open market.

 My aunt and my cousin. Love them!

 My aunt and me.

 Mimi and me.

 The Honfleur port at night.

 They treated us to a ride to the big wheel and carousel.

2 cousins together.

Magical evening thanks to my family.

By Isabelle Thornton

Pictures Copyrights Isabelle Thornton

French country Shabby chic shop in Normandie : Paris trip

 A very pretty shabby chic shop in the village of Pond - Audemer in Normandie. Great source of inspiration. I really enjoy the small shops in villages.

Beautiful bedroom

Mimi and her cousins in the toy  area. My Aunt got a stuff animal here for Soleil when she was born.
By Isabelle Thornton