Truffles, Transfers & Tender Moments in Le Marais

Tuesday in Paris: 19,000 Steps, 3 Metro Rides, and 1 Perfect Falafel

Paris has a funny way of slowing you down just enough to catch your breath—and your balance. After a night of just a few too many real truffles on a pizza, my belly needed a bit of grace, so I gave my legs a semi-break and became something of a metro pro today. Three rides, multiple transfers—executed like a local. Yay me.

I spent the heart of my Tuesday in Le Marais, soaking in the charm, art, and just enough sunshine to make the whole day feel wrapped in gold.

☀️ Place des Vosges: Lovers’ Lane in the Form of a Square

I lingered in Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, and couldn’t help but notice how made-for-romance it is. Lovers lounged in the grass with picnics and whispers, the kind of soft affection that makes your heart ache just a little—sweet nothings in the Paris sun. I sat for a while and imagined stories of each couple.

🖼️ Art & Reflection: Hugo & Picasso

I toured Victor Hugo’s house and then Musée Picasso, where I took my time learning and lingering—my kind of cultural indulgence. There’s something healing about strolling through history and letting yourself learn just a little more than you knew before.

🍷 Lunch for One, Kindle in Hand

Lunch was at Cour des Vosges La Terrasse, where I dined solo with my Kindle—my current read is The Winemaker’s Wife. Reading while dining feels so right here. In Paris, it’s perfectly normal to sit quietly, sip slowly, and turn pages between bites. My Kindle has been my dining companion for months now, but feels especially right here in Paris.

🛍️ Shops, Sweets, & A Falafel You’d Write Home About

I popped into shops all throughout Le Marais, intending to head back toward my hotel for dinner… but then L’As du Fallafel stopped me in my tracks. Fine dining it is not, but I’d trade white linens for paper napkins any day when the food is that good. The falafel sandwich—tucked into a pita, stacked with eggplant, herbs, crunchy veggies, and sauce—might be the best I’ve ever had. Truly.

Afterward, I picked up a couple of macarons to take away for later. They made it to my hotel intact… and became my perfect bedtime snack.

🎀 Grandbaby Goodies & Jellycat Dreams

Later, I took the metro to Galeries Lafayette, where I wandered the fifth floor with my granddaughter in mind. I was smitten with the sweet little girl shoes from Jacadi, but since their shops are scattered all over the city, I’m holding off on that purchase. For now, I scooped up some darling Jellycat toys—the plush patisserie line is magical, and I hope one day she’ll come with me and pick out her own Paris treat to take home.

🌙 A Golden Stroll Home

I took the long way back to my hotel, winding through side streets and pausing at Place Vendôme, just because. Paris glows differently at night—soft and spellbound—and I didn’t want to rush through it.

💫 Looking Ahead to Wednesday…

Tomorrow begins at Musée d’Orsay, then maybe a stroll through the Latin Quarter, across Pont Royal or Passerelle Solférino, and another wander through the Tuileries Garden—perhaps a light lunch in the sun.

After a quick change and rest at the hotel, I’ll head to the Louvre for my 5:30 p.m. visit, and hopefully a lovely dinner at LouLou. And if I’m still up for it, I may go see the Olympic balloon rise at 10:30 p.m. I hear the view is spectacular.

💋 Parisian Observations

So many people here smoke. At café tables, walking down the street, leaning out of windows. And while I personally find it anything but appealing, I’ll admit: the French somehow make even that look sexy. No idea how. I wouldn’t want to kiss those lips—but I admire the aesthetic.

💛 A Final Thought

I’m still here, still healing from love unrequited. But I’m also still learning, still growing, and still loving my life. I’m giving myself grace and space, and letting Paris remind me that joy always finds its way back.

Honey Note:

I only managed 19,000 steps today and still managed to live a whole little lifetime between croissant crumbs and metro transfers.

Heart open, Kindle charged, and Paris on my lips.

À demain,

MaryNell 🌸