Paris In Spring

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A guest post from one of your fellow Nomads, Siobhan Ford:

There really isn’t much that can top Paris in springtime. Already a city of inimitable beauty, Paris is radiant during the mild, fresh days of early spring. The city’s blooming parks and tightly-packed sidewalk cafes flood with people seeking a few precious hours in the sunshine, and when the long days finally fade into evening, the city remains alive with energy.

I was lucky enough to spend a whole week in Paris in April, meaning I could explore all the city has to offer at a rather leisurely pace. But for those of you whose busy schedules don’t allow for meandering through the arrondissements, here’s a handful of places you should visit in between all your meetings.

Le Timbre (literally, “the stamp”), is named for its size-the entire restaurant isn’t much bigger than a well-appointed hotel room. But the eloquently traditional French cuisine makes bumping elbows with fellow diners worth your while. I had a beautiful dish of escargot and black lentils for a first course, a welcome change from the standard garlic butter preparation. My main course was simple lamb and potatoes, perfectly seasoned. The menu appears daily on a large blackboard by the tiny open kitchen, and there’s a small but well-rounded wine list that includes some very reasonable bottles.

Paris’s street markets are part of the city’s unique fabric. If you can spare time on a Sunday, Tuesday, or Friday morning, stop at the Marche Raspail, located between Rue de Rennes and Rue de Cherche Midi. Eager merchants man stall after stall of brightly colored fruits and vegetables, pungent cheeses, fresh fish, and earthy spices. You won’t leave hungry or empty-handed.

On a clear day take your purchases and walk 10 minutes to the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Medici-inspired park in the 6th arrondissement. You can’t lounge on the immaculately kept lawns, but you can pull up one of the many dusty green metal chairs scattered around the park, break out your baguette and saucisson, and enjoy a sunny lunch break.

Should you find yourself with an hour to kill and an artistic hankering, head to the Musee Rodin. Many of the sculptor’s major works are on display outdoors in a lush garden that you can loop through quite quickly. Unlike the Louvre, which can leave even the most ardent art-lover overwhelmed, this museum will simply fill you with appreciation for Rodin’s genius and send you on your way.

Finally, it’s my firm opinion that no trip to Paris would be complete without a stop at Fauchon, the pink-awning-bedecked emporium of gourmet food and pastry. The New York City and various French locations are nothing compared to the flagship store on the Place de la Madeleine, which is actually two separate stores sitting on adjacent corners. One is devoted to luxury food items of all kinds, while the other houses takeaway dishes and Fauchon’s famous pastries. The latter are delicate, dainty, exquisite concoctions filled with explosions of buttercream and ganache. I saved mine for my last night in the city, and savored every beautiful bite.

What are your favorite spots in Paris?