Premier, as in my first actual port of call.
“Meet you at the Eiffel, and we can cop an eye-full”, I said to Belle. I had missed her so much after she had taken off on a solo trip around Europe a month before. Doubt she had missed my humour.
Sonny happened to swing by on his scooter between shows, while we were there, and told us where to go for dinner.
We parted ways for the evening (she, to her hostel, and me to Sonny’s fashion week apartment) at Alma-Marceau.
The following day, Belle and I met up again to visit the Centre Pompidou, a favourite of mine cos modern art gives me the smiles.
And that night, to my delight, was Fêtes de la Musique, where it feels like the whole of Paris is on the streets playing music. The summer solstice sees restaurants, cafes and bars all with their own performers, dancers in the streets, and such a buzz.
Belle was less impressed with the throngs and just wanted to get to our restaurant, Le petit Bouillon Pharamond. There was a queue, but we were in the minority as a twosome so we hardly waited at all. Generous serves of food and wine, and very tasty. Good value too (our yardstick quickly became the price of escargot in restaurants). Typical French fare all served in such a cool space – busy Baroque (though honestly I’m not sure of the genre, but it was cool. 
Belle’s friend Steph arrived, so the next day I took them to my favourite store, Tombees du Camion, which used to be a shopfront in downtown Paris but is now one of a thousand or so store-fronts in the Saint Ouen flea market. A little trickier to get to, a little more of a sketchy area, and not open every day, but definitely worth the trip.
It’s the coolest, eclectic collection of bits and bobs.
Makes me smile.
Destination Photographer. Australian Photographer. Wedding Photographer. Documentary Family Photographer.
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