Sissi's Corner

After 3 years, it only made sense that my first stop in Paris was shopping in Le Marais. 

I did some research on the best consignment shops to check out and found Sissi's Corner on a list in Time Out Paris. Located around the corner from Place des Vosges and a short walk from Bastille, it's a quintessential dépôt-vente tucked in Le Marais.

It may be a small space, but take the time to look at every coat rack and shelf at least twice to make sure you don't miss anything that you would regret not buying. In some ways, Sissi's Corner reminded me of consignment shops in southern Rhode Island, except the inventory at Sissi's Corner is filled with a mini arsenal of French designer brands and mid-priced labels in remarkable near-perfect condition. 

It's easy to lose your excitement over shopping when you work in retail. I typically avoid going into a corporate store without the intention of buying, because if I purchase nothing or waste a salesperson's time, it negatively impacts the store's foot traffic-conversion and (possible) sales commission.  I enjoyed speaking with Sissi and learning the history and details about the store, like how the vintage Yves Saint Laurent framed piece in the dressing room is quite rare. 

I bought a vintage Joseph Tricot knit sweater and an Isabel Marant military jacket. I almost walked away from the jacket and wanted to think about it in case I found something else, but I'm glad Sissi convinced me to buy it. The jacket itself is a dream with its infinite number of pockets and removable shearling lining—it also turns out the jacket was a best-seller and is hard to find. 

...

The next time I come to Paris, I'm definitely bringing a bigger suitcase. 

Paris, Day 20: Morning in Le Marais and Musée d'Orsay

I went for a morning walk in Le Marais. Our group had gone there so many times towards the evening that I wanted to explore the area in a different light.

I came across a local market while I was searching for the All Saints store for my brother Adam. There were booths for everything--bouqets of fowers, piles of fresh fruit and vegetables, bottles of wine, homemade sweets, rows of meat, and most importantly, a seemingly infinite selection of fromage.  Theoretically, you probably could do your grocery shopping for the week.

It's unfortunate that these pictures cannot capture the market's sweet and savory smells...  

It was realy hard walking away and not buying anything. Apparently it's illegal to bring some cheeses from France to the United States because they exceed the FDA's bacteria guidelines.

Needless to say, it was also heartbreaking to not bring back bottles of wine. I might have managed to bring two, but the risk of the bottles breaking in my luggage between two flights was too high.

Ever since I went to Matsu Sushi in Westport, I've had a craving for sushi in Paris. I found a cute sushi place nearby the market and had miso soup, a salmon and avocado roll, and a hot cup of green tea. 

I met Baptiste and his friend Auddray, and her friend Sonya, met at Musée d'Orsay later in the afternoon. Musée d'Orsay was my favorite museum I visited--this was in part because of the layout of the exhibitions, the beautiful architecture and its traces as a former train station, but it was mostly because of the Impressionist exhibit. After taking a course on 19th century history of Paris, I became enamored with Monet and his water lilies.

I ate a crêpe from a stand across the street while I was waiting for everyone...

Musée d'Orsay

A view of the Louvre from one of the clocks

We tried finding the café featured in Inception, but apparently it was closed... I don't think the GPS was giving accurate directions, because the café we were in front of was not nearly like I remembered it in the movie. Also, the building we were in front of was more of a cooking homewares store...

At least we got this awesome view walking around looking for it

I said goodbye to Auddray and Sonya for the night and went back to the hostel to change for the night out with Baptiste. While we waited to get into a wine bar, we went to the restaurant next door for dinner. I not only had the best dinner during my trip--magret du canard and crème brulée--but I got a mini lesson from Baptiste on French food and wine. The last time we had dinner together, last May at the Clarke Cooke House, I asked Baptiste to teach me how to use utensils properly...it didn't go over so well. Thanks to Monica and Kelly, they taught me one morning at breakfast, so I didn't look too much like a clueless American.

Pont Alexandre III at night

Paris, Day 6: Place des Vosges and Musée Carnavalet

We ended up in Le Marais on Saturday to see La Place des Vosges and Victor Hugo's apartment. After being in Paris for almost one week, it's become quite clear that Le Marais is one of the go-to places in the city for everything--shopping, eating, and sight seeing.

La Place de Vosges

A library nearby La Place des Vosges

The China Room

 

 

After visiting Victor Hugo's apartment, we walked around the area and headed to Musée Carnavalet. There were good historical exhibitions with interesting cultural artifacts. I want to go back to see the temporary exhibit, Roman d'Une Garde-Robe, in partnership with Palais Galliera, La Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

A miniature of a Lanvin boutique storefront in the 1950s

 

The classiest wheelchair to ever exist--only in Paris

We grabbed lunch in the Jewish district, then headed back to the FIAP. A successful first Saturday in Paris...

Paris, Day 3: La Crypte de Notre Dame and Galleries Lafayette

I'm a little behind on blogging already--combatting with the WiFi has been a challenge--but it's really been the only difficulty I've faced so far. As frustrating as it can be when I'm trying to blog or work, I have to keep calm and remind myself I'm in Paris, connected with the Internet or not.

Yesterday was the first day of classes at La Sorbonne. We started with an introduction to the course then went to tour La Crypte de Notre Dame, which is located underneath the cathedral. It turns out there are ruins of Lutèce, the ancient city center that would eventually grow and become Paris. There was a forum which served as a market, meeting place, and baths and the ampitheater, known as Les Arènes de Lutèce. The ruins in La Crypte, as well as of Lutèce in general, have been excavated since the mid-19th century and continue to be excavated today.

School building

School of Medicine at La Sorbonne

This building reminded me of my impending doom when I return to the United States for spring semester: senior thesis

The view of the Seine opposite Notre Dame, facing Place d'Italie

Yesterday was the first day of classes at La Sorbonne. We started with an introduction to the course then went to tour La Crypte de Notre Dame, which is located underneath the cathedral. It turns out there are ruins of Lutèce, the ancient city center that would eventually grow and become Paris. There was a forum which served as a market, meeting place, and baths and the ampitheater, known as Les Arènes de Lutèce. The ruins in La Crypte, as well as of Lutèce in general, have been excavated since the mid-19th century and continue to be excavated today.


The street corner next to Notre Dame

Notre Dame and un bâteau mouches

The Coca Cola ad reads: "For every angry thought, there are 4 million thoughts of love."

After class, we went to the Galleries Lafayette to check out the first day of les soldes. Kelly and I waited in a line to get into Longchamp--we found a cute bag with the Eiffel Tower on it, nearly bought it under the belief it was 40% off, then it turned out it was only available for full price at 85 €. Needless to say, it was a low point in the trip when quickly decided to leave Galleries Lafayette empty-handed, without our dream Paris souvenirs.



We will meet again, Longchamp...

AIFS hosted a nice welcome dinner for us back near Boulevard St. Michel at Vins et terroirs on Rue St. André des Arts. I got ravioli for an entrée, duck for the main course, and baba au rhum for dessert.

Jackie, Kelly and I finished the night at a café in Marais--it was great to see a different arrondissement of Paris and get used to navigating the métro in the city.

Notre Dame and the Seine at night

Bonjour, Marais!

My drink (bottom left) was called French Kiss, xoxo

Café Challot