There is a French excess in this blog, admittedly but what can I say, it is a photogenic country and coincidentally, Paris happens to be a European capital I’ve visited twice in the past year. This post is more or less a visual diary of this September’s observations of the city. I had the privilege of just walking aimlessly for hours, watching daily life unfold and would have loved to photograph even more lovely sightings (stumbled on a private party in a courtyard, kids playing with their parents in a park, just cute couples sharing loving, bashful gazes in cafes) but such real-life snippets were simply too precious and intimate to intrude in with my camera (bad enough I was already gawping in real life at people just wanting to live their lives). Instead, I hope the following shots interest you!
From a garden in Gambetta. It’s a close depiction of Paris to me – leafy trees framing Haussmann balconies..
I don’t have a clue what this is about apart from the fact that it’s some type of a puppet theatre but the beret and the baguette is just a super awesome cliche!
Cool little alleyway of Cite des Ecole in GambettaDaily fromagerie display on GambettaMore casual fromagerie display in the neighbourhoodNeighbourhood patisseries
Hydrangeas at a local florist in GambettaEthically produced, natural based ingredients in this wonderful Gambetta grocery store (Great place to stock up on Lavender tea)Fresh veggies in a special vegetable grocer in Gambetta The fresh vegetable grocer aboveWatching people go by at a neighbourhood cafe in GambettaBicycles on rent – love this healthy trend Blue vespa More local locomotives
What Macron was up to in the fall of 2018
Love the concept. Down with the monarchy. St. Martins Canal
Contemporary minimalist restaurant by St Martins Canal for vegan food
Salad of the day
Minimalist restaurant serving creative vegan food by St Martins Canal
The shopping Boulevard of Paris aka London’s Oxford Street – this is a patch of land where Printemps and Galeries Lafayette sits on. Also just got a history lesson about Haussman and how he reinvented Paris to the look we now connect with the city. Oolalala.. it was more of an architectural and design experience and less a consumerist one.. in this generation, stepping into a department store in Europe is no different to a shopping mall in Asia hence I go straight to the 5th floor for souvenirs, books and food to sample what is unique to the country. Ubiquitous Ceiling of Galeries Lafayette from the Ground FloorMore of this flamboyance from the 4th Floor…
Eiffel Tower Chocolates
Flag coloured packaging
More delightfully packaged biscuits
Oooofff. Why must you look and taste so good. Top floor cafeteria at Galeries LafayetteBeautiful plant presentations at Galeries Lafayette Maison Gourmet (it’s across from the Galeries Lafayette department stores) More of the same above. A magical rooftop no? Printemps, I even love the name (Spring in English). What a genius way to name a brand selling beauty and lifestyle. Printemps entrance – delicious tiles.Printemps entrance. I do love the flower display, makes me think of the majestic flower arrangements in classic Rajasthan hotel lobbies of India. Ground floor cafe at Printemps. Rooftop view from Galleries La Fayette
There is a rooftop cafe on Galeries Lafayette where you can sit and enjoy this view. Imagine how much more stunning over the summer. Not my best photo of the tower (my better Eiffel Tower shots can be seen here) but to illustrate the view from Boulevard Haussmann
Final Words
While my favourite season for Europe is still the burning hot summer of June and July, it’s hard to deny how beautiful, atmospheric and even more authentic Paris is in autumn (when the millions of tourists start to disperse and the raw realities of daily life takes over again). Don’t hesitate to make a trip there just because temperatures are climbing down (or maybe for some people this is the favourite season and summer is too hot). Every time I leave this city, I immediately imagine what it would be like when I return again, explore yet another one of her delicious neighbourhoods and keep trying to capture her essence. And this trip was definitely not an exception to those sentiments.
I don’t have a clue what this is about apart from the fact that it’s some type of a puppet theatre but the beret and the baguette is just a super awesome cliche! 
