Blue (&White) Monday @ Le musée Carnavalet.

The musée Carnavalet is a wonderful museum to visit.

The parisfr. website describes it thus: The paintings, sculptures, furniture and scale models, that the collections in these two erstwhile townhouses in the Marais conceal, tell the story of Paris from prehistoric days to the present. This museum also features a handsome collection of drawings, prints, photographs and posters – and a remarkable coin cabinet.

Tucked away in a corner I discovered a tiny parlour with a display of the most wonderful blue and white ceramics.

So, I thought I'd share some pix with Smiling Sally and all the great bloggers that gather at her place for Blue Monday.

Come back for Outdoor Wednesday and view Paris from a bateau on the River Seine.............

Day one in Paris: Le Marais, 4th Arr.

For our base in Paris last weekend we chose an apartment just steps away from Place de Vosges, in Le Marais, one of the oldest and best preserved areas of Paris.


It has wonderful narrow streets and historic squares steeped in the past, as well as trendy shops and bars.

I found the apartment on the VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owners)website.

A beautiful Art Nouveau panel on the shop front next to our big black front door which leads into the courtyard.

It was a small one bedroom pied a terre, with tiny kitchen, well equipped bathroom and very comfortable sitting room. The bed was a little hard for us, especially after hours of walking the streets of Paris, but hey, you can't have everything.

Oh, and did I mention the steep narrow stairs??
Nevertheless it soon became our home away from home and we would certainly recommend this type of accomodation if you should ever decide to spend some time in the City Of Lights.

Close by is the Hotel de Sully built in 1624.
I had stayed in Le Marais, a few years back and was keen to show Mr B what a great place it is.

After wandering around Village St Paul and marvelling at the inside of Eglise St-Paul,
we made our way to Chez Marianne, situated in the Rue des Hospitalières-Saint-Gervais, for lunch.
In the afternoon we visited the Musée Carnavalet (click here), the most Parisien Museum in the capital. This statue of Louis XIV stands in the courtyard close to the entrance to the Museum.
I hope you have enjoyed wandering around the Marais with me today, next time we'll be viewing the city from a boat on the Seine as well as visiting L'Orangerie in the Tuilieres Gardens.
à bientôt.