Snow days...

Snow is still such a novelty for this kangaroo in Paris. There's something kind of magical about watching snowflakes fall all around you when taking a walk. Here's a few snaps I took on a very quiet Sunday morning in January...

Louis Braille of France

World Braille Day is celebrated on January 4, so I thought I'd take a minute to acknowledge Frenchman Louis Braille, who invented this form of communication used right around the world by people who are blind or visually impaired. Louis lost his sight after a childhood accident and, at just 15 years of age, began working on his own adapted codes for reading and writing using the French alphabet. Clearly a very talented man!

This image was kindly sourced from here.

Happy New Year from Paris!

Just a little video of the Eiffel Tower to kick-start the new year... The grand old 'Iron Lady' sparkles every hour on the hour at night-time.

(Apologies for the background noise of high heel shoes clomping across the bridge!)

#12 Christmas shopping

There's no doubt Parisian department stores are top-notch and, especially at Christmas time, it's well worth checking out the beautifully decorated store windows and displays. There was a monster of a Christmas tree in the Galeries Lafayette department store this December - so much so the sheer height of it was difficult to capture in a photo. Decorated with sparkling Swarovski crystals, the tree stood 21m high under the gorgeous domed roof!

#11 Mad Hatter's Tea Party @ Shakespeare & Co

You might already recognise Shakespeare and Company - the famous bookstore across from Notre Dame - as it has appeared in many TV shows and movies. The bookstore is steeped in history and is now run by Sylvia Whitman (after her father/founder George passed away in 2011 at 98 years of age). George wanted to open a bookstore which would be a sanctuary for writers and artists, offering them a place to stay and work. He was well-known for his generous hospitality, often whipping up a batch of pancakes in the morning for those staying at the bookstore.

Locals, expats and tourists flock here to purchase English books or borrow from the library. Workshops and book signings are held on a weekly basis and on Sunday afternoons you can join the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Pamela (originally from Wales and a dear friend of George for many years) runs the tea party and encourages guests to come with "a poem in your pocket or a song in your heart". It's a warm and welcoming place to share stories, thoughts, ideas and cultures.

#10 Magnificent sculptures

As you know there are many, many museums in Paris. Perhaps one of the best for sculpture is the Musee Rodin located in the 7th arrondissement. The museum has plenty on offer but isn't too big to feel overwhelming. In good weather it's a fantastic spot to wander through the gardens while admiring different works, including Rodin's El Pensador (The Thinker) and La Puerta del Infierno (The Gates of Hell). But in not-so-great weather, don't despair, there's an indoor part to the museum so you can manage to stay dry!

There are so many wonderful pieces here. I'm always amazed at sculpture, the creative process and how the pieces are brought to life...

#9 Antiquities

The flea market at St-Ouen in the north of Paris is almost like a mini city in itself - an overflowing treasure-trove of antiques. From vintage Chanel and Louis Vuitton clothes, to chandeliers and woodwork, old photos and postcards, as well as trinkets and furniture, this market has it covered. After all, it's said to be the biggest antiques market in the world. Be prepared to spend quite a lot of time here, as there's just so much to see! Prices fluctuate depending on what you're after, but thankfully browsing is free! ; )

One of the best tips I was given is to take the metro to Garibaldi, then walk down Rue des Rosiers to the market. This avoids the street hawkers and tourist traps at the other end.