Halloween Week: Cimetière du Montparnasse

After visiting the Catacombs, take a stroll through the Cimetière du Montparnasse.  Unlike most of North America, most of the graves here are above ground which gives it a little bit of an extra eerie feel.

Can you imagine walking through here at night?! I imagine darkness, fog and strange sounds!

xo Ceilidh

Dior Hypnotic Poison

So, I'm getting a little side-tracked from our Halloween week today, but I had to share the commercial for Hypnotic Poison by Dior [the name is at least a little creepy right?]

It was filmed it the Louvre.  The marble sculpture featured in the film is the Nike of Samothrace.  Below is a picture I took of the sculpture on my trip to Paris in the summer.  It's a lot harder to get a picture of it than one would think....the hall is so crowded!

More fun for Halloween week tomorrow!

xo Ceilidh

Halloween Week: The Catacombs

The Catacombs are a really neat place to visit while in Paris.  In the late 1700s, approximately six million people were transferred from their overflowing grave sites and cemeteries to les catacombes.  The catacombs is a 3000-km network of tunnels underneath the city of Paris.  It took some 15 months to transfer the remains of the dead to their new resting place.  The rotting corpses and bones were transported in large carts at night.

The Catacombs are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am-5pm (with last entrance at 4pm).  The entrance can be found at 1, avenue of Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy in Montparnasse (14e arrondissement).  Line-ups can be long as only 200 people are admitted into the site at one time.  It is best to arrive early (before opening if possible) to  avoid long lines.

Once inside the Catacombs, you are looking at a staircase 130 steps down underground, followed by a 2 km walk, then an upward-spiraling 83 steps back to street level.  The ossuary (where are the bones are found) is not directly as the bottom of the first staircase...you'll have a bit of a walk before you reach that.

The temperature below is about 14 degrees Celcius.  The air is moist, but if you think that it might be too cold, you may wish to consider bringing a sweater.  Wear appropriate footwear...you'll be walking on dirt.  Also, taller people may have to bend down in certain areas to avoid grazing their head on the ceiling.

The sign engraved at the beginning of the ossuary reads "Stop! This is the empire of death."

See the black line above the entrance to the ossuary? You can follow it throughout the Catacombs.  It is soot leftover from candles and torches.

The exit to the Catacombs is at 35 Rue Rémy Dumoncel.  If someone wishes to meet you at the exit, they can do so there by following these walking instructions:

• Take Av. du Général Leclerc approximately 300m
• Turn left onto Rue Sophie Germain
• Turn right onto Rue Halle
• Turn right onto Rue Rémy Dumoncel

There is a cool gift shop at the exit of the Catacombs if you wish to purchase some creepy memorabilia.

A must-do in Paris for sure!

xo Ceilidh

* Note: all information presented above was correct as of July 2011.

Halloween Week: Readers Beware!

I have some fun Halloween-inspired things to do while in Paris to share with you this week! Halloween is such a fun time of year...I've pretty much been thinking about it since sometime mid-September.  I can't wait to make some gruesome treats to share with family and friends!

Let me leave you with this really neat picture I took, somewhere around Boulevard Raspail (if I do remember correctly), this summer while in Paris.

xo Ceilidh

Parisian Picture Frame Winner

Congrats to securekey, the winner of our Parisian Picture Frame Giveaway!

Come back next week for lots of Halloween excitement!

xo Ceilidh

Ladurée-Inspired Dessert Table

I am in love with this dessert table! It was inspired by none other than Ladurée.  I love the rosette backdrop, the use of both croquembouches and cake and of course, the macarons.  The table was designed by Jubilee Events based out of Conneticut and the desserts were made by Lovely Lollies.

Photo courtesy of eventjubilee.com

Photo courtesy of eventjubilee.com

Photo courtesy of eventjubilee.com

Photo courtesy of eventjubilee.com

 Everything is so beautiful!  I'm not sure I would have been able to eat anything....I lie, of course I would have ;)

xo Ceilidh

The Great Canadian Pub

For someone who loves Paris so much, it really is a shame that I don't enjoy their food as much as I should.  You may be ashamed to hear this, but on several occasions I have eaten at The Great Canadian Pub.  Located on 25 Quai Grands Augustins, it is only a short walk from Notre-Dame. 

The nice thing about The Great Canadian Pub is that is does kind of feel like home.  You are welcomed into the restaurant with door handles made out of hockey sticks.  You can listen to Canadian music as you eat your food, or watch the big screen tvs.  The food served really is food you would see in Canada [except maybe the blue cheeseburger and duck's legs -- I can't say I've ever seen those in your standard Canadian restaurant]....and it is good.

They offer specials at lunch, which are super cheap by Parisian standards. For 11 euros I was able to get a bacon cheeseburger with fries and salad, as well as a pop. The pop alone is normally 4 euros, so this was a great buy! The salad wasn't great...it was just basically lettuce with a vinegrette sauce but the burger was good (bun was great) and the fries alright as well. Nothing spectacular, but for the money, you can't go wrong! The nachoes there were really good too.

Service was always pleasant and in English.  We ate inside, but there was also outdoor seating available.  Evenings are super busy so go early if you want a good seat.

So, for all of you who aren't fans of the French food, or who are just looking for a little piece of home...try The Great Canadian Pub!

xo Ceilidh

Paris Picture Frame Giveaway

It's time for another giveaway!  This time, up for grabs is a Paris picture frame.  Perfect for a picture of you and/or your loved ones in the City of Lights!

To enter, leave a comment below.

For an additional entry, become a follower of Pâtisserie Paris by clicking "Join this Site" on the right hand panal.  Then leave a comment below indicating that you have done so.  If you are already a follower of Pâtisserie Paris, leave a second comment below stating so.

Good luck ;)

xo Ceilidh
Winner will be chosen at random.  Contest closes Friday, October 21st, 2011 at 11:59pm.  Winner will be announced on Saturday October 22nd, 2011 so be sure to visit the site on that date to see if you won :)  This is not a sponsored post.  Contest is open to residents worldwide.  Prize includes shipping for the above item.  Maximum 2 entries per person as per criteria above.

Les Journées Particulières - October 15/16

Oh, you are a lucky one if you are in Paris today!

Some of Paris' most notable fashion houses are opening their doors to the public so you can encounter the magic within.

From October 15-16 you can walk through private tours, view skill demonstrations and participate in interactive workshops.

Most notably there is a exhibiton at Christian Dior Haute Couture on 30 avenue Montagne.

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dior

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dior

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dior

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dior

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dior

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dior

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dior

 Learn more by clicking here.

xo Ceilidh

Fashion Friday: The Louis Vuitton Woman

Listen to what Marc Jacobs has to say about The Louis Vuitton Woman:

To see the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Show, click here.

xo Ceilidh

Dior Institut

Last day, I introduced you to the Plaza Athénée.  Today, I will introduce you to the Dior Institut.

The Dior Institut is located in the Plaza Athénée and offers a selection of services including a relaxation lounge, tea room, steam baths and saunas and a fitness center.

Their website is quite interactive...you should check it out.


Photo courtesy of plaza-athenee-paris.com

Photo courtesy of plaza-athenee-paris.com

Photo courtesy of plaza-athenee-paris.com

I can't imagine going to the spa.  It all looks so beautiful! And with Dior staff at hand [literally, if you are getting a manicure], I'm sure that the service is impeccable.

I'm a big Dior fan.  All of my make-up is Dior. I'd love to visit the Dior Institut! How about you?

xo Ceilidh

Plaza Athénée

The Plaza Athénée is one of the most luxurious hotels in Paris.  Located on Avenue Montaigne, it is neighbours with some of fashion's high-end boutiques including Dior, Chanel & Louis Vuitton.

Photo courtesy of plaza-athenee-paris.com

The hotel was also featured in the last season of Sex & the City when Carrie goes to Paris.  As the show was immensely popular, the hotel offers a Sex & the City package for people who wish to stay in this iconic hotel.

Photo courtesy of francetravelguide.com

The Prestige Suite has to be my favourite rooms in the hotel.  Does it get any girlier than this?

Photo courtesy of plaza-athenee-paris.com

But of course, who could resist the Terrace Eiffel Suite? Gorgeous!



Photo courtesy of plaza-athenee-paris.com

Wednesday I will introduce you to the spa services available at the hotel!

xo Ceilidh

Chanel Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Show

Little Mermaid step aside! Karl Lagerfeld took his Spring/Summer 2012 Chanel show "under the sea" at Grand Palais.  The results were fabulous! My second favorite show of the season [see Louis Vuitton here].

So, what have I learned from this show besides that Karl Lagerfeld continues to make beautifully clothing? That piercings are in.  Lots of hardware on those model's faces!

Photo courtesy of chanel-news.chanel.com

xo Ceilidh

Fashion Friday: Dior Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Show

Well, this is certainly a step up from the circus that Dior held last season! Still not the Dior from the Galliano days, but much improvement nonetheless!

I'll tell you what I'm not loving -- the metallic geometric prints.  I could definitely do without those.

Here are my favorites from the show:

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/Dior

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/Dior

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dior

xo Ceilidh

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Show

This has to be one of the most magical fashion shows I have ever seen! I really transports you back to your childhood, imagining yourself sitting on a carrousel.  So whimsical. 

Mrs. Kate Moss herself closed the show.  I love how Marc Jacobs is wearing all white when he comes out at the end.  So classy.  The floral dresses have to be my favorites.  Gorgeous...magical!

The show took place at Cour Carrée, which is essentially a "square" found at the back end of the Louvre.  Watch the set-up here:

Come back for the rest of the week to see a recap of Paris fashion week!

xo Ceilidh

Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's Dress

I finally had a chance to wear my new dress from the Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's Impulse collection.  The same dress that Lea Michele of Glee fame was recently seen wearing while filming.

Photo courtesy of perezhilton.com

I may have committed a small crime.  I altered the dress.  I spent a solid hour and a half cutting off the black trim around the dress.  I didn't like it.  I don't think Mr. Lagerfeld would be too impressed, but I like it better this way!

I wore the dress with a pair of Banana Republic suede heels and a cream-colored shawl.  Love it!

xo Ceilidh

Someone Like You

Who doesn't like Adele's Someone Like You? The official video has now been released and it was filmed in...Paris!  Love it :)

xo Ceilidh

Moulin Rouge

The red windmill sitting above the entrace is a sure show-stopper.  Flamboyant costumes, the  cancan dance, and drawings and posters from Toulouse-Lautrec make up the well-known Moulin Rouge cabaret.

Though I've never been inside of the Moulin Rouge itself, I did visit the exterior on my first trip to Paris.

xo Ceilidh