Who loves Paris in the Springtime? I have been meaning to post this for a while now.  In between the website relaunch and learning its new features plus the exciting release of “Teatime in Paris” in the UK and USA, this has fallen behind.

So here’s a very short slideshow of Paris in spring.  I’ve had fun playing with this! We’ve seen the arrival of the long-awaited Spring buds, the cherry blossoms, the wisteria and the horse-chestnut candles blossoming in the City of Light. Now Paris is so green and extra special, and with the arrival of holiday season here (even if the French are not yet on holiday themselves), it’s so lovely to be able to eat outside in the cafés and restaurants again.

Cédric, who updated this website to make it mobile and tablet friendly, will be pleased that I’m finally using a fraction of the capabilities on the site.  So, here goes …. !

Are you sitting comfortably? Let’s roll.

  • Jump on

    and let me take you for a quick ride around Springtime in Paris!

  • Or take the bus or metro

    Exiting the metro at le Louvre, the rain had stopped end March and spring was in the air …

  • Le Nemours Café

    Empty? Mais non. Everyone was inside …

  • Le Palais Royal

    Go shopping under the arcades for cover on wet days and it’s a great starting point to the nearby historical Parisian passageways.

  • Le Palais Royal

    First signs of Spring life: blossoms and magnolia flowers starting to burst open …

  • … the daffodils and narcissus…

  • Bionic buds!

  • The Eiffel Tower

    Greenery popping out …

  • Les Invalides

    Impressive and glistening at any time of year.

  • Les Esplanades des Invalides

    In the large park in front of the army museum and les Invalides, picnics and petanques take over.

    playing boules at the Esplanade des Invalides

  • l’Opéra

    The golden embellishments remind me of an opera cake with its frilly buttercream

  • l’Opéra

    At the back of the opera and in front of the department stores in Boulevard Haussmann, surprising musical ambience

  • Want a free view like this?

    Head to the roof of Galeries Lafayette

  • Where’s the Phantom?

    .. and from the same roof, take in the skyline and view of the Opéra.

  • The perfect skyline view

    Take a seat at the top of Galeries Lafayette department store (and munch on a macaron, ice cream or pastry at teatime)

  • Notre Dame Cathedral

    The Japanese cherry blossoms in full bloom – a favourite spot for Spring wedding photos.

    Blossoms at Notre Dame in Paris

  • Le Louvre

    The ideal spot on a downpour – or the nearby tearooms. Sebastien Gaudard, Angelinas or Jean-Paul Hévin for example? Or the Gagliani bookstore …

  • Wisteria!

    End of April and the wisteria comes to life with its purple blossoms

    Wisteria in Paris

  • Eating Outside

    the city is alive with good food, wine and conversation at the tables

  • Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre

    Before you climb the steps, pop into Christophe Roussel in Rue Tardieu for some chocolate kisses and macarons

  • Art Nouveau Metro

    There are two left in Paris like this one at Abbesses. And there’s a new pâtisserie just opened around the corner, Gilles Marchal (9 rue Ravignon)

  • Horse Chestnut Candle Blossoms

    Out in all their glory in the City of Light

  • Paris Parks

    Time to enjoy teatime in the parks with some pastries bought along the way

    park at les Invalides

  • And there’s no shortage of pâtisseries to choose from

    My favourites are all mentioned in Teatime in Paris, where locations are pointed out; this delicious map is from the endpapers by artist, Carol Gillott.

  • Mid May, the French are superstitious about bringing out the geraniums yet on the balconies. Ideally they wait after the Saint de Glaces on 11, 12, 13 May, which is typically cold. This year it was warm but we had this surprise period later!

    Geraniums at the french market

  • End of May

    The poppies are out in the fields just outside Paris. Time for a perfect picnic with rhubarb and poppy macarons along by the River Seine – recipe in “Teatime in Paris!”

  • Summery ice-creams

    And before we know it, summer is here! Head to Berthillon on Ile-Saint-Louis or make your own rose petal ice cream from “Teatime in Paris!”

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For recommendations on sweet stops for your next Paris trip, don’t forget to check out le blog and check out my Instagram feed, where I share daily life in and around Paris.  For 50 teatime recipes and many of the best Paris pâtisserie and tea salon addresses, my favourites are all in my new book, Teatime in Paris!

Next stop, summer is just around the corner…

11 replies
  2. Liz
    Liz says:

    You’re making it awfully tempting to come to Paris in the spring! There’s talk amongst my sisters about a girls’ trip to France—fingers crossed we can swing it in a year or so 🙂

    Reply
  3. Thomasina
    Thomasina says:

    Rose petal ice cream and raspberries – now that appeals to me now that the weather is much warmer. Perfect for watching tennis from Paris. Love the slideshow Jill especially the wisteria.

    Reply
    • Jill Colonna
      Jill Colonna says:

      Thanks, Thomasina. You’ll love this ice cream. We’re also loving the tennis – still routing for Andy Murray! Allez l’Ecosse!

      Reply
    • Jill Colonna
      Jill Colonna says:

      It is a bit short, isn’t it. And where are all the pastries and food? Too much material, so little time. Glad you liked it, Jean-Pierre. Of course I’ll do a summer one if other people like the idea too …

      Reply

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