Three Women in Paris, Three Days of Shopping: Or What is the Definition of Trouble? Day Two

From the rooftop of Galleries Lafayette is a magnificent view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower.

It's important to have a substantial breakfast to begin our day of shopping.

The girls had never been to the big department stores in Paris. Bon Marche was an experience in big price tags, designer clothes, designer food, and unique items not easily found in France.  This was our first stop.  It was an easy walk from the hotel.  After getting separated and losing time trying to find each other, we eventually tired of the overwhelmingly expensive top name brand items for sale and decided it was lunchtime.  The little restaurant in the center of Bon Marche looked like the perfect spot for a ladies lunch. That was a mistake.  We knew our lunch would be overpriced, but we thought we would at least have excellent service, tasty food and reasonable portions.  Enough said about lunch other than it was a disappointment on all counts.

Ceiling of Bon Marche

Shoes! Bon Marche

You can fly with these shoes.  Bon Marche

I had a successful day of shopping!

 I wanted to show the ladies Galleries Lafayette.  It’s a long walk but we took our time, again going into any shop that struck our fancy.  On the way I found a store that sold cashmere sweaters and scored with a zippered hooded sweatshirt that will be perfect for cold days on the canal.  I also found a cute children’s shop and managed to do some damage there.  Rocky found something as well.  Then Rocky saw a shoe store across the street and wanted to just run over to check it out.  Naturally we all needed to go in.  It was a small store, filled with customers.  Every seat was taken.  Cherolyn and Rocky got their turn and had great success.  Cherolyn got a pair of black patent leather shoes and Rocky bought two pairs of black patent leather shoes.  

The girls are excited about their new shoes.

Patent Leather is definitely the new style in Paris.

We made a quick stop at our hotel to drop off our purchases then we were off again.  Since lunch had been light, by late afternoon it was time for a coffee break.  Cherolyn couldn’t resist a beautiful slice of apple pie that we all helped her eat.  It was delicious.

Coffee and pastry break.

 We were near Galleries Lafayette. It’s an amazing structure and everyone should visit at least once. Make sure you take the time to crane your head back to view the magnificent ceiling.  After that I insisted we go up each flight of stairs, continuing to admire the structure.  Finally we climbed up to the roof to check out the views.  

It was getting late and we barely had time to see the merchandise in this huge store.  I saw a dress that I thought would be good for Hawaii, but it looked better on the hanger than on me.  Meanwhile Rocky found a jumpsuit that she tried on, in the middle of the store.  She loved it and bought it.  Galleries Lafayette is worthy of a future visit.  This store is affordable and has great merchandise.  I wish we had more time, but we were going to be late for dinner.

Ceiling of Galleries Lafayette

Detail of the walls leading up to the ceiling of Galleries Lafayette

We climbed to the roof top of Galleries Lafayette to see the views.

We were going to be late for dinner, broke our rule of walking everywhere and grabbed a cab.  It’s a good thing we did, or we wouldn’t have made it in time.  Dinner was at Fish La Boussonerie.  We had a delicious meal.  The salmon appetizer was smoked in house.  The calamari was perfection and melted in our mouths.  Their wine list was a book, and I found a delicious 2015 Pino Noir that worked well with our meal.

Smoked salmon appetizer

Calamari main course.

Light dessert

The kitchen and staff were great.  When I looked through the window they invited me in to observe first hand how the meals are prepared. I didn't come back with my camera until they were cleaning up.  If you ask, they have a chief's table in the kitchen.  

From my balcony I could see the Golden Dome of Napoleon's Tomb

Day two summary:

15491 steps

7.07 miles walked

2460 calories burned

31 flights of stairs

Another wonderful day in the beautiful city of Paris!