Countries, Culture, Deals, Europe

On the up, highfull in Paris

On the level here… the best view of the City of Light, any city, is by skyline, and so we’re on the up, highfull in Paris.

But this time sans famille.

Louvre is all around: And time to check out the Mona Lisa

It’s a dozen years since we stayed in a room without a view, a basic attic in Paris.

Booked through all-paris-apartments.com on Boulevard Jules Ferry, and for four nights for €1,274 for the four of us.

Tower de force: And Laurie and Ally in Paris

And like all women Mrs M, still gets dewy-eyed about Paris.

Only her Paris, every woman’s Paris, is a rooftop balcony with an eyeful of a certain tower.

Peninsula awe

Salut: Your table is served

Comme Le Peninsula peut-être?

Life for high-end Parisians is spent on the balcony.

Whether it‘s a la carte dining and that starts like the best Parisian at le petit dejeuner.

The Peninsula Paris’s rose-filled rooftop garden is now open for guests for breakfast with a view over the city skyline for the first time.

Dormez vous: In your Paris bed

Le Rooftop will serve fresh bakery items, including croissants and pains au chocolat, and cafe, naturellement.

There’s also a new ‘light-bite’ summer menu designed by chef David Bizet and Antoine Guichard.

For visitors wishing to enjoy small plates with their evening cocktails.

La famille de triomphe: By the arch

Menu highlights include Ume plum served with honey from the hotel’s beehive.

Et Pugliese burrata with basil oil, smoked piquillo and black garlic; and courgette carpaccio with sauteed fiddleheads.

Or the two-Michelin-starred French gastronomy restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc with panoramic views.

Secret rendezvous

Cocktail set: And it’s drinks o’clock

But then your mademoiselle wants (and deserves) to be treated as the only femme in la monde.

And so the Peninsula has the ‘Secret Table’ for your romantic rendezvous.

It’s a private terrace at the highest point of the hotel building.

With views of the Sacré-Cœur, the Eiffel Tower, and the rooftops of the City of Light.

Beret good: The Notre Dame

And with a dedicated butler for a sumptuous seven-course tailor-made dinner with paired wines and – of course – fine Champagne.

Guests can also get out on the city with a private chauffeured driving tour of Paris in the hotel’s own Rolls Royce Phantom.

You’ll take in the Eiffel Tower, the Pont Alexandre III, the Place de la Concorde, and the Arc de Triomphe.

Deal us in

City of lights: And there are fireworks

Stays include a daily American breakfast for up to two persons to be enjoyed in the garden of a suite.

‘Peninsula Time’ – flexible check-in and check-out times, unlimited use of fitness centre and swimming pool, and a bottle of French rosé from Château d’Esclans.

Stay in a Garden Rooftop Suite at the hotel on 19 Avenue Kleber from €1,550 until 31st August.

Mais oui, you’ll be on the up, highfull in Paris.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Happy Bastille Day France

A revolution is needed… does anyone know of a prison to storm?

Even if it only has seven inmates, that’ll be enough particularly if it has weaponry.

Jim sandwich: Jim Gallagher, Muriel Bolger et moi

Today we commemorate Bastille Day in quieter fashion than usual because of COVID-19.

Flower girl

And we reflect on a new world order that we must build for ourselves.

Embassy guest

Quieter yes.

Quieter certainly than that unforgettable Bastille Weekend two years ago.

Bravo: Bandanaman and Danny, French Travel Writer award winners

We were invited back the following day to watch the World Cup Final between France and Croatia.

Pop the Champagne

Oui Paris: Today

Well, where else would you want to be than sovereign French territory drinking French Champagne and canapés?

And dancing and whooping in front of a big screen.

Croat of arms

Full disclosure here and I had been invited to take breakfast with the Croatians of Croatia Tours www.croatia.ie that morning.

You see I was straddling both horses but then I do love them equally.

Les Bleus won. And I was chanting Vive La France.

Now seeing that today is their national day I’m flagging up how we all get back out there again and where.

Paris: We’ve come a long way from our first billet on a post-school camping trip.

There we were propped up against our rucksacks in Paris Gare St-Lazare.

Until pistol-toting gendarmes awoke us with a kick to the ribs.

The Bel Epoque Peninsula Paris Hotel https://www.peninsula.com/en/paris/5-star-luxury-hotel-16th-arrondissement is located just steps from the Arc de Triomphe.

Giants of gastronomy

Now you’ll be feasting in rich company, the well-vaunted ‘dinner of a lifetime’ attended by Marcel Proust, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso and Stravinsky.

There is a range of diverse restaurants with the piece de resistance the rooftop L’Oiseau Blanc with its stunning views of the Eiffel Tower.

Provence: Le Lockdown has had La Scary Une et moi talking about where we dream of going.

A passionate jardiner she would love to see the lavender in Provence.

Airelles Gordes, La Bastide is palace-classified.

Stars align

And they have introduced a range of initiatives.

It includes complimentary e-bike rental, stargazing, rooftop yoga and open-air cinema evenings.

And they’ve even thrown in a wine and olive oil tasting experience.

You’ll find it at the sister property, the Chateau D’Estoublon, just sn hour’s drive away.

Check out this deal… stay for three nights or more and get a complimentary upgrade to full board and a Sisley spa treatment.

See https://airelles.com/en/destination/gordes-hotel/special/get-all-way%20%20airelles.com/en/gordes-hotel.

Saint-Tropez; The Chateau De La Messardiere is the chic resort’s largest hotel.

There are 25 acres of glorious grounds overlooking the Cote D’Azur and Provence.

Jardin air

Their trademark domed cupolas and turrets mark it out.

As does the glamorous beach club Jardin Tropezina https://www.messardiere.com/en/jardin-tropezina.php on the beach of Pampelonne.

And here’s why I love the French Riviera The Boat D’Azur, The Lourdes prayer and https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/dresdens-renaissance-martin-luther/europe/water-way-to-go-in-biarritz/.

And remember that France and the French are celebrated the world over.

And I know that the Australians are struggling with renewed lockdown but they know how to be big, bold and francais…

See https://www.australia.com.

Un nuit at l’opera

MEET YOU EN FRANCE