But back to today's adventures and we had an early start as the parkrun was over on the other side of the city. However, when we arrived at the Bois de Bologne, we struggled to find the starting point. Cue 20 minutes of walking in circles around a huge park. So unfortunately, by the time we found it, the race was well underway.
However we were undeterred and did our best to work out the route and run it ourselves. So no official time or personal bests but we got our run in the park in Paris!
Leggings - Nike from Sportique Magherafelt (currently on sale on Nike.com online)
Trainers - Asics (still available on the TKMaxx website)
Quilted Running Jacket - Primark
Afterwards, we took the metro to Trocadero and walked from there to the Arc de Triomphe to watch the traffic mayhem...tho I appreciate there aren't any cars in this photo 😳 - there was a lull...
Then it would have been a shame not to walk the Champs-Elyesse and check out a few shops.
I had a quick scoot around Zara first where I picked up this bag.
I had a quick scoot around Zara first where I picked up this bag.
I'd admired it in the larger version last year but it was too big & heavy for me. Sadly this cross body one isn't leather but I decided to break my pleather handbag rule just this once.
I then ventured into Sephora-
...this Paris one was my first experience of Sephora way back in 1997 but today, I couldn't wait to get out of it! You couldn't look for a moment at anything before a sales assistant pounced. I like to browse for a while and consider and then I'm open to being helped but the pushy staff here, combined with the crowds, just made me want to run for air outside...which I did. No purchases made - in any case the GBP/EUR rate isn't great so the prices were no better than you'd get online.
Next, we visited the Abercrombie & Fitch store and it was a real wow moment. This is the entrance gate (with obligatory bag check - this is happening in all the stores now)
....you then walk down a tree lined avenue
....to these gorgeous doors into the shop.
A unique experience making the shop one to definitely pay a visit to, even if like me, you'd rather not buy anything there. Don't get me wrong, they have some lovely pieces and I do like their jeans but it's all overpriced in my view. Though I guess those store fit-outs need to be paid for somehow!
Oh and here's where I fess up to wearing my running gear all round town. Ming I know but we were so close to all this and to zigzag across town would have taken a couple hours out of the day. I wasn't smelly I promise!
Onward to a ton of car showrooms for the wee man (and his dad) to look round and then we headed down Avenue George V to see how the other half live...
Picked up some nice gifts here - a bit different and beautifully packaged:
And then it was back in the Batobus to the train station and onwards to the hotel for a rest and shower.
We headed out again initially thinking we would have dinner but went off the idea partly because things looked like they were kicking off and partly because we weren't that hungry - two days of rich food had taken their toll and we just got some wine, cheese and crackers for the hotel room.
We did stop by the centre George Pompidou, which I thought was a shopping centre so imagine my disappointment as I realised it's a museum. Oh well - here's what I wore - to prove I got changed
And that was day 3! I'm ending fast here as my phone battery is about to die and I'm in competition with the husband for the travel plug.
Last day tomorrow - we fly in the evening so there's plenty of time to explore more. Thanks for all your comments, messages and emails - I'm delighted you're enjoying the Paris updates!
Ax
Top travel tip - bring a plug adapter so you can use your normal chargers with only one travel plug!!
ReplyDeleteGenius! Definitely doing that next time - thank you x
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