Paris - Mon Amour!

A long birthday weekend in Paris via the Eurostar from London. I seem to always forget how beautiful Paris is! Pourquoi??

Apart from my birthday, I really wanted to go to Roland Garros for the first time (still trying to

do all the grand slams). It was the 6th day of play but the 2nd/3rd round.

It was pretty amazing been there and on the Phillipe Chartrier court on a sunny summer's day!

Saw Venus Williams play in her scandalous lingerie outfit (black lace & red trimmings hmm..) and also Tsonga vs De Bakker, Petrova vs Rezai. Stayed at the Hotel West End on Rue Clemont Marot, which was pretty basic with continental breakfast included, very nice, close to to the designer shops on Avenue Montaigne and Hotel Plaza Athenee hence expensive. Had my birthday dinner at Le Relais Plaza in Hotel Plaza Athenee (where my aunty was staying) which was exquisite! Unforgettable! It's a great hotel with remarkable customer service which is very unlike the French....

Apart from the shopping, walks and french food, I did do a few touristy things too. Went to the Tour Eiffel again at night (la troiseme fois je pense..) - ridiculously long queues and the weather was freezing (don't ask!), Notre Dame de Paris and finally the Centre Pompidou, Musee National d'Art Moderne, which I have always wanted to visit. It was named after the former president of France, Georges Pompidou. The museum had an interesting collection of modern art, some were quite crude and shocking -Elles@centrepompidou, Sarkis, Lucien Freud, Les Promesses du Passe, Takeshi Kitano and Dreamlands (pretty cool american wonderland). The classic collection of art included Matisse, Picasso, Dali, Pollock, Yves Klein, Andy Warhol and I just discovered Kandinsky! On Level 6, Restaurant Georges has some of the finest panoramic views of Paris. The work of Dominique Jacob and Brendan McFarlane, its architecture conforms to the centre's novel structure and is decorated with contoured aluminium sheeting. It also has the most attractive and smartly suited waiters ever! honestly! seriously! I tell no lie... :-)

Printemps department store on Boulevard Haussman also has a breathtaking 360 degree panoramic view of Paris from it's rooftop terrace called Le Deli-Cieux a self-service restaurant.

Also checked out Le Marais which has lovely cobbled streets, a cathedral, cool bars, cafes and restaurants. It has been compared to convent garden, not sure about that but I spotted some suspiciously gay bars. Overall a relaxing and amazing weekend, Paris mon amour.......