Ces derniers jours...those last days...

Our final days in Paris.  This is the time of last minute lists...shopping, anything we really want to do or see that we haven't.  Non, ne me dites pas que c'est fini!

So...a wander around the Marais today, one of my favourite spots in Paris, and a little shopping at favourite shops.

Marie Antoinette is a tiny, luxurious cave of a parfumerie.  Each year I visit the shop to buy my special scent and to be entertained by the cheeky effervescence of the proprietor Antonio.  When you arrive at the shop, more than likely the door will be open but Antonio will be missing.  If you glance over your shoulder, Antonio will be sitting at the resto across the street, usually with a friend, glass of wine in hand...or if you're very early, perhaps a coffee!  He gives you a wave to let you know to enter and he'll join you in a moment.  Once he arrives, the fun begins!  Antonio is instantly recognisable by his ever-present bow tie...there is a photo in the shop of Antonio as a young boy, wearing a bow tie, and he says he's worn one ever since!

A stroll along rue Saint-Antoine and, close to Saint-Paul metro station, there is a kiosque "Lulu dans ma rue" - a 'conciergerie de quartier' established in early 2015, which has been a wonderful success.  This neighbourhood service kiosk connects residents with services within the quartier - pet care, courses, handymen, cleaners, administrative help...from putting together flat-pack furniture to waiting for a parcel to be delivered at your residence.  Most services are set-priced between 5 and 20 euros per half hour, and the staff make the connection for you.  The intention is to bring back that human touch to connections within a neighbourhood.  Such a great idea!  And...once a month they host aperitifs on a Friday night at the kiosque!  A big idea, delivered from a tiny space...worth celebrating, I say.