Culture Crêpes

Our favorite Crêpes place in Paris is Breizh Cafe, but it's such a hassle to go because reservations are required, and they do not entertain walk-ins. You can read my post on Breizh here. One trick I've used before, which only worked once, was to go to their deli next door, which has the same menu, but given that Culture Crêpes is a fraction of the price for just marginally less quality, I think this cozy place in Saint Michel is my new favorite.

This is Jem after 20 hours of sleep.
She finally looks like a person after travelling sick for over
a week.

I was craving for an omelette so I ordered a ham and cheese one, but I shared
Ady's galette and Jem's buerre et sucre (butter and sugar) crepe.

Yummy!!!

The place is small and cozy.
Though the sign says they have tables for a party of 1-10.

We didn't make a reservation, but you may want to. I think next time I will. just saying.

Culture Crêpes

26 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 

75006 Paris, France

Paris Revisited Winter 2017

When we did an impulse Eastern Europe trip this Winter, I said I needed to pass Paris before flying home to close my bank account since HSBC has been giving me a hard time. I didn't expect our Prague, Vienna and Budapest legs to be so much fun... and so inexpensive too, that my trip budget was virtually untouched when we arrived in Paris, which sort of gave me license to go all out and shop.

Jem, Ady and I were in Paris for 2 nights (Jem stayed longer with Ivan). We stayed in this nice boutique hotel in the Saint Michel area which was excellently located, plus they had a lift too!

Their lift fits 3... but it was quite a tight squeeze with
luggage.

Since we arrived late in the afternoon, and we only had one full day, we decided to make a go of it, and run directly to the outlet.

Hello, La Vallee Village (with a strict 30 minute stopover at Primark to get all of Fi's bilin). I think we arrived 1-2 hours before closing, but we managed to make good use of what little time we had.

We bought so much and had such a long travelling day (we flew in via Beauvais Airport!) that we just simply collapsed in the comfy couches in the mall as soon as all the stores closed.

You can see us in the ceiling reflection.

We treated ourselves to comfort food for dinner in none other than Leon de Bruxelles.

The restaurant was probably only a 10-minute walk to our hotel... but we really didn't have any more energy to walk. It was really worth it though, because we filled the cab with all our shopping bags.

And the lift too!!! Again!!!

Our hotel was very cute, but you need to borrow a water
kettle.

and you should go in Winter, so you can use the
window sill as your fridge.

La Bagagerie is walking distance, so I bought my set of Rimowa luggage, and I just pulled it home. With a stop for some Pain Au Chocolat.

Hooray for luggage that matches my scarf.

We also went to the Rimowa flagship store so Ady could also buy luggage. 

This was the prettiest store on
Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

Our favorite Hema Store is now also in Chatelet (inside the Metro Station).

Over-all it was really a great shopping trip (which I
haven't had in ages!) My Valentino Haul not in photos.

Food-wise, we also tried several great places, from Tim's favorite Cheap Eats Category on TripAdvisor that they deserve their own post.

 Culture Crêpes in Saint Michel

Bistro Des Augustins for winner Gratin, with a view of
the river and Notre Dame.

Then we capped of the meal with dessert from
Factory & Co.

Their Key Lime Pie is so yummy... and it's light. Just like air. Hahaha.

We still had a full lift when we left... minus Jem and
her things.

At the hotel courtyard.

At the hotel walkway.

I think I now prefer Paris in the winter over spring. So the question is, do I go back in a few weeks, while it is still Winter? or do I wait till December? I am still using bank errands as my excuse (thanks to HSBC's inefficiency). just saying.

Hotel Excelsior Latin 

20 Rue Cujas, 

75005 Paris, France

Culture Crêpes

26 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 

75006 Paris, France

Bistro des Augustins

39 Quai des Grands Augustins, 

75006 Paris, France

Paris Revisited Spring 2017

Last year, I was lucky enough to visit Paris twice.

I am actually seriously considering going again next week to sort out a bank issue. (Don't bank with HSBC, they only bring headaches!!!) But I digress, here are the highlights of our family trip last Spring.

I insisted we stay in the Montmartre area as I am most at home in Line's neighborhood, unfortunately, we were such a big group, we didn't fit in her extra room. Her location is so much better that the apartment we got in Rue Lepic, as I didn't realize Rue Lepic was so long, we ended up quite a hike up the mountain, already across Moulin de la Galette!!!

Of course I had to bring the fambam to my favorite quiche place.
I actually dream about this!!!

My wanderlust ballerines in Emerald Snakeskin match
the door.

Every trip to Paris, I visit La Vallee Village. It's like my long lost friend. Hahaha. Take note, they are open on Sundays... and there is a Primark (which opened the day we were leaving) in the mall right beside it.

Amorino Gelato is love.

Sofia rocking my new Julia clutch.

Another Paris staple is a meal at Leon de Bruxelles.

L'Ardenaise is my abosolute favorite dish!

On our last day, we actually had nothing on our agenda, so we asked Sof to choose, and we ended up at Musee D'Orsay. What can I say, my kid grew up doing Museum Trails (mostly on free museum days) but it sure made her cultured.  

Tip: the best seats to rest are near the clock.

This is where my dad napped and waited for us, 18 years
ago, because he would rather nap then enter another
bloody museum. Hahaha.

Take Note that you can enter Musee D'Orsay (and the Louvre and Pompidou too!) for free every first Sunday of the month. So if you are kuripot like me, you can just plan your trip accordingly. Kids enter free everyday.

Another Paris staple for me, is a visit to my Line, my French maman. She's so nice, she not only feeds me, she feeds my whole family too.

Line's homemade berry jam and pain perdu (forgotten bread or what we know
as French Toast) is the bomb. 

Thank you so much for having us Line.

Paris always feels like home, that's why there's another Paris Revisited Winter 2017 post coming. just saying.