Flashback: My first days in France (Part 3)

I am browsing through my archive of photos when I realized that I have not seen the whole of Paris just yet. In addition, I failed to take photos of some of the landmarks that I have seen and as a result, I am not readily able to blog about them. Instead, I will have to stick with the sites that I do have photos of and share with you some information that I know or have researched about.

To continue the theme of this series of blog posts, let me share with you the photos of Galeries La Fayette---one of the famous shopping galeries in Paris. While Paris is known for many things including art and architecture, food, and fashion to name a few; the art of shopping in the city continues to lure tourists all over the world.

Shopping in Paris is not like in any other cosmopolitan city. For one, Paris is the headquarters of big fashion houses and haute couture designers. On the other hand,you can also enjoy shopping in quaint boutiques althroughout the city which cater to almost any style, taste, and budget.

Given the limited time of tourists, they tend to flock to Galeries Lafayette (or Au Printemps). For one, they can buy their favorite designer brands here (clothes, accessories, cosmetics, etc and all tax-free of course) as well as shop for affordable fashions. Second, they can sample the wide array of French food including chocolates that can be purchased in the said gallery. Third, they have access to free exhibits that are sometimes housed here. Not to mention, they get to enjoy the beautiful architecture of Galeries Lafayette that is a constant reminder to shoppers that shopping in Paris is unlike any other!

Come to think of it, that pretty much sums up all the reasons why you came to Paris.

The beginnings of this French landmark can be traced way back in 1893 and due to the huge success of the novelty shop that started it all, it expanded it's area in 1896 and in 1905. In 1906, renowned architect Georges Cheddane and later with the help of Ferdinant Chanut, redesigned the store's layout. Throughout it's lifespan, Galeries Lafayette has been a venue of a number of events and has undergone countless restorations and improvement.

Did You Know?

• On January 19, 1919, a Gaudron G3 airplane landed on the terrace of the gallery after a 25 000 francs reward was promised to anyone who could successfully land a plane there. This feat was seen again on July 4,1948 by a different pilot.
• In 1950, Edith Piaf sang to the crowd at Galeries Lafayette.
• In 1980, a Festival of fashion took place here and was attended by a crowd of 50 000.
• In June 2001, the Mogador escalator of the gallery was modernised and was able to extend to the rooftop.

Galeries Lafayette

Paris Haussmann 40, boulevard Haussmann75009 PARIS
M-Sat. 9.30 am - 8.00 pm
Th-until 9.00 pm
Sun.-closed
Metro: Chaussée d'Antin La Fayette
RER : Auber
Phone : 01 42 82 34 56

For Special Store Hours, visit http://www2.galerieslafayette.com/international/goFolder.do?f=home_en&lang=en

Sources:
Galeries Lafayette. http://www.galeries-lafayette-paris.com/
National Geographic Traveler: France. 2nd ed. 2007. Published by the National Geographic Society. Washington, D.C. USA.

Galeries Lafayette. http://www2.galerieslafayette.com/international/goFolder.do?f=history_en&lang=en&fontLang=null

Flashback: My first days in France (Part 2)

I find it amusing that I am trying to reminisce about my first days in France to be able to continue my blog about it. Since I already published the first part of what I think will be a series, I might as well continue what I started.

One of the first places I went to upon arriving in France, was the Jardin du Luxembourg. My friend, who also happens to be my roommate, brought me there because she had a tough time at work and needed to unwind. Apparently, hanging out in the park was a common way of spending time to relax here in France and the French has in fact made it a way of life.

There are numerous wrought-iron chairs scattered throughout the park, and the French, locals and tourists alike are able to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the place. Having taken these pictures during the onset of spring in France, I was lucky to get a good dose of sunshine. It was a bright sunny day, and albeit the occasional cold gust of wind, people flocked to the garden to enjoy the warm rays of the sun.


Amidst the flower beds and lush areas of grass are fountains, small ponds, and monuments scattered all-over the park. Moreover, statues of French queens, saints, and various sculptured work also add charm to the surrounding main area of the garden.

The upkeep of the garden is superb, and who would have thought that it was initially completed in 1625, and has kept it's present area of land since 1790. It was Marie de Medicis who had the Palais and the Garden built as her residence after her husband, Henri IV was assassinated. As of date, the Fontaine Medicis (located in the garden but not in the photos) is said to be all that was left of the original grotto built in 1630.

The photo below shows the Palais du Luxembourg which houses the Senate and is located in the vicinity of the said jardin/garden. The said palais is open to the locals and tourists alike who wish to witness public hearings. The Musee du Luxembourg like the Palais du Luxembourg is located along rue de vaugirard.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is located in the 6th arrondissement (district) of Paris and can be found along the streets of Boulevard St.Michel, Rue du Vaugirard, Rue Auguste-Comte, and Rue Guynemer.

Jardin du Luxembourg
7.30 am - 8.15 pm

Palais du Luxembourg
15 rue de vaugirard
Phone: 0331 42 34 20 00

Musee du Luxembourg
19 rue du vaugirard
Metro: Odeon / RER: Luxembourg
Phone: 01 42 34 25 95
M,F 10.30 am - 10 pm / T,TH, Sat. 10.30 am - 7 pm / Sun. 9 am - 7 pm


Sources:
Luxembourg Gardens. http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=39
Paris For You: Walking guide for discovering paris 2008-2009. Published by Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Flashback: My first days in France (Part 1)

It has been awhile since I first arrived here in France, and yet I still remember how I felt and how I struggled to adjust to life here.

My plane landed on CDG Airport last April 28, and I remember how eager I was to get my luggages and go and see if my friend was there to pick me up. The unloading of the luggages from the plane took awhile, and I remember seeing my luggages on the conveyor belt pass by me once before I was able to position myself between the other passengers who were as eager to get their own luggages. Alas, I was able to get my two heavy luggages and put them on the trolley.

Little did I know that I will have my first taste of adventure in France as soon as I stepped out of the airport. I only had so little pocket money with me so budgeting it as soon as I landed was a priority that was hard to ignore. My friend suggested that we take the RER (pronounced as: er-ou-er) to get to Paris, and take the connecting metro from there. It sounded like a good idea, since the RER ticket from CDG airport to Paris only costs 8 EU each and a Metro ticket costs 1.60 EU each. Compare that to a 50 EU rental for a car, or more if you decide to take a taxi.

What I did not know was that taking the RER and the Metro would entail lifting my two (weighing approx. 23 kg. each) luggages up and down the stairs while we transfer lines from the RER and within the Metro stations. We took a minimum of three lines total, and that equaled to even more stairs (some stations had 2-3 flights of stairs).

To make the long story short, I had a backache by the time we reached our destination but even this was not enough to dampen my spirits. My adrenalin was high and as soon as we were able to take a nap (my friend had to as well since she took the night bus to CDG and waited for my flight to arrive that morning), I was given my first tour of Paris. The first stop was the Eiffel Tower or Tour Eiffel in French.

The photo above shows Ecole Militaire which is is just across the Eiffel Tower.

On our way to the Latin Quarter

If my memory serves me right, we proceeded to the Latin Quarter in search for a Chinese resto since I was craving for Chinese. Little did I know at that time that the Notre Dame was just a stone-throw away from where we were. This is why, I saw the Pantheon first before I got to see the Notre Dame.

Having studied Interior Design, seeing the Panteon was a must on my first day and I must say that I was not disappointed.