Ralph's

I want to tell you about the most beautiful and wonderful place in Paris. It's called Ralph's and it is the little restaurant nestled in the courtyard of Ralph Lauren on Boulevard St Germain. Ralph Lauren is a simply chic and classic brand that oozes laid back style and sophistication, whilst promoting the enjoyment of the finer things in life. This mantra also applies to the little restaurant that feeds its crowd of supporters. 

The hustle and bustle of the busy Boulevard St Germain is instantly lost as you step into the shady arch passage leading to the central courtyard of the boutique. The sound of traffic, bus horns and angry taxi drivers is replaced with the quiet chitter chatter of the city's finest, catching up on daily affairs and exchanging conversation with their friends. Paris is lost and it feels like you have found yourself in a quiet, relaxed courtyard garden in the south of France or even Italy. Fresh flowers cover the tables whilst big white parasols blotch out the sunny sky, shielding the clientele from the hot rays on sunshine, creating a cool and shady escape. 

Plush nautical blue and white wicker sofas make this simply beautiful terrace a little corner of luxury. The waiters are quietly attentive, very attractive and refreshing pleasant compared to many waiters in Paris. They dance around the little maze of tables bringing over freshly made mojitos and little bowls of toffee-nut popcorn. 

We stopped for a leisurely refreshing drink and cake, Paris's answer to tea and biscuits. As much as I love french patisseries, sometimes I crave cake, proper cake. For this, Ralph's is the perfect solution. I chose the home-made ice tea, which is a treat in itself as cool earl grey is poured over ice and a little jug of syrup is provided so that you can mix it to your own taste. I like mine as sugary as possible, with a little slice of lemon. Mamma T decided on a little trio of desserts, including the brownie, ice-cream and cheesecake. AW chose the raspberry sorbet and a minty-fresh non-alcoholic mojito. Everything was delicious, if a little too indulgent. 

Ralph's is the perfect place for a little afternoon-tea, a cool evening drink or even a leisurely lunch. I saw the burgers, they looked amazing so I will definitely be back for dinner sometime very soon. In my opinion, this would be the perfect little date spot. I would certainly be impressed. 

Mood- Appreciative

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Les Jardins de Versailles - Part II

After exploring the the sumptuous rooms of the palace Mamma T and I decided that it was time to venture into the gardens to enjoy the sunshine, have a picnic and to stroll around the grounds. The gardens are free to everyone which means that there is a mix of tourists, joggers and couples shading themselves leisurely amongst the trees. Despite being formal gardens and in France we were free to sit on the grass and decided to picnic by one of the grand statues. Unfortunately the water was not on for the fountains and I was informed that there are specified water shows which really show the garden off in all its glory. 

I love how happy Mamma T looks in this photo

The main formal gardens are set out in a rectangular grid that leads down to the Grand Canal and we weaved our way amongst the wide shady boulevards and the lush green hedges that bordered the paths. Statues greeted us around every corner and the views of the Chateau were absolutely incredible. Unlike the beautifully planted and overflowing gardens that are often synonymous with large palaces, the gardens at Versailles were divinely understated. I mean that in the pleasantest way. 

We stopped for a sorbet and sat on the banks of the Canal, lying in the sun and just appreciating the incredible display of natural and man-made beauty that surrounded us. The old fashioned sorbet stall was an old car and the vendor was the friendliest ice cream man I have ever come across. My lemon sorbet was so bitter and refreshing and gave me the energy to walk back to the Palace. The chateau de Versailles is not a day out for the faint hearted and the ache in my feet proved how much we walked. 

My favourite part of the gardens was the Orangerie were we stopped to pick a few oranges, fresh from the trees (or pretended to anyway). The palm trees, the hazy heat and the fresh smell of vegetation transported us to a tropical land and it was impossible not to be impressed at the incredible sculpture and topiary. 

The best thing about the gardens was that they are absolutely free and would make the perfect afternoon trip for a picnic with friends or even just a good book. 

Mood - Refreshed 

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le Chateau de Versailles - Part 1

Mamma T arrived in Paris last week and I was very excited to welcome her to fabulous city of light and to show her around. I couldn't wait to take her to a few of my favourite places, restaurants and gardens and to show her my home, rather than just the tourist route. Both of us have been wanting to visit the Chateau de Versailles for several years and so decided to start her trip of with something neither of us had done before. I know I have been in Paris for nearly a year now and I know it is sinful not to have visited the palace before. I have been waiting for a sunny day, as I have heard that only sunshine can make the chateau even more spectacular. Not only were we blessed with a beautiful sunny day but it was deliciously hot as well and we made the most of this by enjoying the incredible gardens. One day, as we were warned, was definitely not enough so we decided to focus on seeing the palace and the gardens, saving the queen's hamlet and trianon for another trip. So what follows is Part 1- The Chateau.

As we stepped through the intricately sculpted gates into the first sloping courtyard that is framed by the palais it was hard not to blown away by the intricately sculpted gates and golden topped rooves glinting in the summer sun. 

We couldn't resist taking a few pictures and I had even put on my princess skirt so that I could sweep the marble floors and descend the staircases pretending to be Marie Antoinette. 

The interior perfectly complemented its grand exterior and no amount of words can even describe how breathtakingly luxurious and delicately decadent everything was. We passed through room after room bursting with beauty and historical significance, not just for those who lived and worked there but for the whole of France. We quickly associate the Chateau of Versailles with Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette and forget that hugely important modern events have taken place there, including the signing of the Treaty of Versailles that brought world war 1 to an end. 

Is there any more simply elegant than a smooth and cool marble floor? 

My favourite room in the house was the queen's bedchamber with its pastel colour scheme, complemented with gold trimmings. It was every little girls answer to a princess bedroom and couldn't have been more perfect. 

A sweet little selfie! We thought we would have made a good Queen and Princess.....

My advice would be to get there early as it was absolutely rammed with visitors who are hurried through the rooms and jostle for photo opportunities. We ended up ditching the audio-guides and making up our own silly little stories about its past whilst appreciating the palace for what it is; absolutely stunning. Similarly, the hall of mirrors was absolutely incredible but I feel it would only be truly appreciated if all the tourists disappeared and you were able to viennese waltz down it, swirling your silk ball gown, dripping with diamonds and accompanied by an attractive prince. Maybe that's just me? 

Mood - Ready to meet my prince for a quick dance. 

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