Last Week in Paris!

Dinner at Chez Paul!

Pantheon, Paris!

Laura and I inside Zaha's temporary piece at the Arab Institute

Photo op on my last night in Paris

Cake and champagne in front of the Eiffel!

Due to the lack of internet being available and my poor health, this is going to be a blog post compiling my last week of adventures in Paris! The architectural highlights include visiting the Cartier Foundation, the Pantheon, and the Institute du Monde Arab. My favorite of these was the Institute du Monde Arab. Incredibly interesting facade, custom made to incorporate symbols that are important to the Arabic culture. At one point, this facade actually acted as a moving screen with geometric motifs that were photo-sensitive, motor-controlled apertures. Unfortunately, they were only operable for about two months, but they are still beautiful. Also, in the courtyard of the Arab Institute was a temporary building by Zaha Hadid. I was very excited to see one of her works, even though it was only a temporary piece.

Laura and I went out for an amazing meal on our last Saturday at a quaint little restaurant called Chez Paul. I had a steak and dauphinoise potatoes which were prepared perfectly... well the steak was a little rarer than I would typically order, but I don't think they actually have a MR option here.. So I am fairly certain it was rare. Oh well, it was delicious and I didn't die. :) Oh, and the bottle of wine we shared and the crème brulee we had for dessert were to die for. After dinner, we went back to the first bar we came across, Clair de Lune, and said goodbye to some of our friends.

Thomas had to see us one last time on Sunday and introduced us to basque cuisine. He took Laura and I out to lunch to another great restaurant and I tried a unique salad that was served in a giant bowl with all the ingredients tossed in it. Sooo good!

Throughout the week, we said goodbye to our friends that we made, squeezing in last architectural stops, and enjoyed any remaining time indulging in the sweets that I don't know how I lived my entire life without. Yes, I may be 10lbs heavier when I return to the states...

I started to come down with a cold in the midst of all this fun and by the end of the week I was quite miserable. However, we had one last night in Paris and I was determined to enjoy it and we made it as cliché as possible. Couldn't get much better (or cliché) than champagne, cake and friends in the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower. :)

Perfect ending to a perfect adventure in a perfect city. Love.