All posts filed under: Paris

One French Film per week challenge!

Published by

I have decided to set my self the challenge of watching at least one French film a week. This way, it not only helps me to immerse myself in the language, but it allows me to understand and experience the culture and the French je ne sais quoi, so to speak. The films included on this list may shock you, as some of them are classics that I have not seen – so please do not judge! My French Film challenge: Amélie Romantics Anonymous A Very Long Engagement Populaire I Do The Fairy Bird People OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies Kings of Pastry Serial (Bad) Weddings Le Chef Entre Les Murs Amour Coco Before Chanel These are the only films that I could think of, so if you can think of any films that I have missed, or urgently need to watch – leave a comment below!

Do something different challenge

Published by

I recently stumbled onto this amazing blog, which is run by Anne, an American expat in Paris. Pret a Voyager offers an amazing array of information, guides and tips to living and exploring the city that I call home, Paris. One of the posts that I really like the sound of is ‘Do something different everyday’, which includes a list of the various things that the blogger did during her free time. The aim is obvious, to do something different everyday. So I’m going to give it a go! But rather than something everyday, I’m going to make it my challenge to do at least two different things each week! So keep watching this space to see what I get up to. If anyone has any suggestions of what they think/know is off the beaten track here in Paris, please leave a comment to let me know!   Check Anne’s blog and useful pages here: http://www.pret-a-voyager.com/2010/05/do-something-different-everyday/ http://www.pret-a-voyager.com/search/label/Paris%20Travel%20Tip

Palace of Versailles, France

A Flea Market and Versailles

Published by

  As previously mentioned, this weekend the family’s previous Au Pair Ruth came to visit. It was lovely to finally meet Ruth in person, as she was incredibly helpful during the run up of my arrival in Paris. As well as going to Jay Z and Beyonce on the Saturday night (have I already mentioned how amazing they were!?), on Sunday morning we headed over to a local ‘Flea Market’. On this occasion I think the description ‘Flea Market’ is a little off, probably a glorified car boot sale (with out the cars or their boots…) would suffice. Anyway, we spent a good hour looking around, and items that were on sale varied a great deal. There was the usual, such as books, old clothes and toys. However, the odd stall was selling some very interesting stuff. One woman had boxes and boxes of free fur for sale. I was really tempted to buy one that could act as a throw for my chair (for €20, that’s not too bad), but I think my conscience altered me …

What a weekend!

Published by

I have been in Paris as of two weeks today. Time has flown by so quickly! Last week was my first ‘proper week’ of the Au Pair lifestyle, which included picking up the children from school on my own, making dinner and making sure there was no fighting! I had a blast, and can definitely tell that I am going to enjoy my year here. As well as looking after the children after school, I also went into Paris on different days, including enrolling in person for my Language school. However, this post is all about the amazing Beyonce and Jay Z who came to Paris for two nights to complete the end of their On the Run tour. Ruth, the family’s previous Au Pair, had a spare ticket to the concert so I tagged along – and boy am I happy I went! It was amazing! The concert was at Stade de France, near Saint Denis Abbey, and pretty much the whole venue was packed (as you can see in my photos). Jay Z …

Cycling in Saint-Cloud Park with the most amazing views

Parc de Saint-Cloud

Published by

Pretty much every day that I have been in Paris so far, I have been blessed with sun and beautiful weather, and this weekend was no different. On Sunday (Dimanche) I took M’s bike, and went cycling around Saint-Cloud park (the one I previously adventured through last week). Because I was on bike I was able to cover more ground, and wow, the park just keeps getting more beautiful and spectacular every time I go. The park has many different axial avenues which led to different parts of the park. The main one leads you towards a French style designed garden, including sculptures, fountains and a variety of trees and flowers. The most amazing thing though was the view that you got once the landscape had opened up from the woods – you can see pretty much the whole of Paris! Although not captured very well in the below photographs that I took, there was a hot air balloon floating above the city which reminded me of the ones used during the Parisian 19th century Exposition …

Semaine un à Paris

Published by

Salut from France! I thought it was time to update y’all on the happenings of my life so far having arrived in Paris on Monday. It’s so hard to believe that today is Friday already! Seriously, where has the time gone? For those who don’t know, I am an Au Pair for three children (who will be referred to by initials throughout my blog) P – 15 years old; Con – 13 years old girl; and Ch, the youngest boy at 8 years old. Lundi – arriving in Paris On Monday I left England via Liverpool Airport, and made my way to Paris. Everything went smoothly, including trying to pull my two extremely heavy bags whilst negotiating the Parisian airport (which was very confusing). It took me about 10 minutes to finally find the bus stop. However, it all began to go down hill from there. I ended up getting off at the wrong stop. I am still adamant and will only take 50% of the blame for this occurrence, as there were no signs …