I know it’s been a long time between posts, but I’ve been a busy girl lately. I left my  full-time job a couple of weeks ago, just started a new one, took a trip to Paris, and celebrated a birthday last week, so needless to say, it’s been hectic! The last minute trip to Paris was such a fun, serendipitous way to mark the end of one era and the beginning of the next.

I’ve been to Paris a few times, but usually it’s been for work or for short visits where I am unable to get in everything in, and one of the things I have always wanted to see are the flea markets around Clignancourt.

Before my trip, I was advised to check out Paul Bert and La Serpette in particular, and they did not disappoint. I knew it would be cool to walk through, but I had no idea how cool. It was endlessly fascinating from start to finish, and even my husband who is not particularly interested in antiques was totally enraptured as well.

Both Paul Bert and La Serpette are considered THE markets for decorators filled with the most interesting finds.

Paul Bert is outdoors and is comprised of miniature streets with vendors along each side, while La Serpette is indoors.

We never grew tired at looking in at each stall at the variety of items each seller had arranged. Some stalls were very focused in terms of style or era, but the most interesting ones to me were the eclectic ones that forced you to walk closer and take a look.

There are no prices on anything, it’s all bargaining, although it was obvious that there were no real bargains here, it’s still considered expensive antiquing.

I had such a crush on some of these trunks and vintage leather travel items from Goyard, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton at Le Monde du Voyage. The trunks were especially fascinating to me, looking at the amazing interior details and imagining what it would be like packing for a journey with such fancy luggage.

After we were done with Paul Bert and La Serpette, we began walking back toward the Metro and came upon another market called Vernaison on our left, the oldest and most authentic of the flea markets. We were fascinated walking around the labyrinth of little stalls, one more surprising than the next. Not as high end as Serpette/Paul Bert, this was clearly the place to hunt for affordable treasures. It was fun looking at all of the costume jewelry in cases, old postcards and books, antique dolls, trinkets & bric-a-brac.

There’s even a gentleman that wheels his cart around the market selling snacks and drinks.

Around one of the side alleys, we heard accordion music and followed it until we reached a dead end and found Chez Louisette. This strange little place has been famous since the 30′s for feeding flea market patrons and entertaining them with a chanteuse. Manuela was singing the day we visited with lots of old Edith Piaf songs which felt like a time warp and we stood for some time enchanted by this little place that seemed to come out of nowhere.

For more details about visiting the Flea Markets around Clignancourt, see this guide. On my next trip, I would love to go back again and check out some of the other markets I didn’t have time to see!

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Of all the cities in the world, it’s hard to compare any to the beauty that is Paris. No matter how many times I visit, its romance never tires, and I constantly daydream about the next time I’ll visit. Anna Tsoulogiannis of Annawithlove never tires of Paris either, and although she has already been there, I think it’s safe to say she cannot wait to get back. Anna has a photo diary blog where she posts all of her gorgeous photos of Paris, and other cities, so be sure to check them out! ::: Luster

::: From Anna ::: I dreamt about going to Paris my entire life (I mean who doesn’t right?) so when my best friend and I booked our euro leg trip two years ago it was first on the list.  As soon as we arrived, it was love at first sight/smell/sound/touch/taste.  Everywhere I would point my camera be it a street, the sky, buildings it made for a beautiful photograph.  They are right when they call Paris a photographer’s heaven…because it sure was mine.  Three days (and 3GB) later I was on the train en route to Barcelona and dreaming of Paris.  As I sat on the train writing in my journal I promised myself I would be back…and soon.  For the next month all my energy and focus was still on Paris…Paris…Paris.  Very soon after I got back to Toronto I was promoted at work and part of my new job was to attend film festivals around the world…to my delight two of the main festivals to attend were…surprise surprise in France!  And here began my love affair with Paris.  I was very lucky and fortunate to be given that incredible opportunity to travel for work.

I could write for pages and pages on all the things I love to do in Paris, but for your sakes I will try to keep it brief and focus on my favorites.  My third time in Paris I stayed at a hotel near the Louvre, one night after I enjoyed a lovely dinner (avec delicious red wine) I strolled over and sat in the Louvre grounds.  It was so quiet, comforting, peaceful and just the right amount of eerie.  The big crowds of tourists had dispersed and just a few photographers were left setting up their tripods.  There I sat for two hours, alone in the city I love, with nothing but my thoughts and camera surrounded by history.  It was a perfect evening.

Aside from the basic tourist spots I visit to take photos of (Eiffel Tower/Arc de Triomphe/Notre Dame) other things I like to do in Paris is…eat…a lot.  Unless you are staying at the Ritz skip the hotel breakfast and head to a Boulangerie for fresh pastries and croissants followed by a morning stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries. Be sure to set time aside to sit and people watch at a cafe (Cafe de Flore a goody) and grab some Macarons from Laduree or Pierre Hermes! My favorite is the pistachio flavor…MMmmm.  Of course a walk along the Seine is a must…watch out for the locks of love along the bridges (specifically the Pont Des Arts).  I also adore visiting the Shakespeare and Co. bookstore in the Latin Quarter; even though I’m not much of a reader it is so visually interesting.  The main thing while in Paris…relax and enjoy!  Allow yourself at least a day to not have a plan and just wander around getting lost in the city of love.

Since this post is wanderlust I decided to choose my dream hotel in Paris over my 3 star-but-i-pretend-its-5-star hotel choices. The Ritz Paris! Talk about elegance & glamour…I don’t know that I would want to leave the hotel!   (For reference I like to stay either close to the Champs-Elysees, near the Louvre or in the Latin Quarter…all great locations!)

Anna’s Packing List:

1. A chic Burberry trench coat

2. I make sure my nails are painted bright fun colors

3. I love my Longchamp bag it fits everything I need inside and looks fabulous too!  I usually pick up another bag every time I’m in the city because they are so much cheaper than in Canada

4. Sunglasses (of course) — Ray Ban Wayfarer Tortoise Brown

5. Perhaps a cliche but I don’t care, I always pack a navy and white striped shirt — Moschino Striped knitted sweater

6. Scarves, scarves and more scarves! I pack 2-3…okay 5.  If you want to look “Parisian chic” you must master the art of the scarf

7 & 8 . A comfortable pair of flats!! Even though I’d love to finish off my outfit with a pair of killer heels, realistically I’d last about two hours.  I walk everywhere in Paris to make sure I find interesting new photos…plus why take the subway when you can walk through such an amazing city?

9. The most important thing I pack after my passport…my Camera!  Currently I use the Canon Rebel t2i

10. I love bringing back little knick knacks for my family, friends and of course for myself.  I have about three mini Eiffel towers all over my room.  I also love the street sign magnets.  I bought the Champs-Elysees magnet for my mama. I absolutely adore the black and white postcards and vintage Moulin Rouge posters which are sold everywhere.

11.  A notebook.  I’ve been to Paris twice on my own so I always carried one around to jot down my thoughts, ideas, inspirations as I sat people watching alone in a cafe

12.  An amazing guide to Paris.  This book won’t be something you will pack with you as it is both heavy and huge! But a great read  — Taschen’s Paris by Angelika Taschen

13. Photo

Hope you enjoyed Paris through my eyes! A big thanks to Jennifer for letting me be a part of her Wanderlust series, it’s been so much fun! ‘Til next time, Bisous! xo

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Thank you, Anna!

For more Wanderlust destinations, be sure to check out Vietnam | Belize |  Ireland |  St. Petersburg |  Dubrovnik, Croatia |  Marfa, Texas |  Vancouver Island |  The Amalfi Coast |  and Reykjavik

When fall draws near, I start dreaming of the most beautiful city on earth, Paris. The month of September has always been my favorite time to visit with the warm sunny days and cool evenings and the bustle of tourist season finally over. Last September, we were lucky enough to attend my best friend’s wedding on a tiny island off the coast of Brittany which was incredibly special. This September I’ll be in NY, but thinking of the city of light and love.

Above collages via Martha Stewart Weddings | Oui necklace by Dior

Miss Dior Cherie campaign | photo by Liz Rusby

To really step inside the daydream, check out the Miss Dior Cherie commercial directed by Sofia Coppola.