The Most Perfect Day in Paris

Truly it doesn't get any better than Chanel and Paris. This was the perfect day during our week in Paris. We arrived at 31 Rue Cambon Wednesday morning for a 10:00 am tour of Coco Chanel's apartment. I'm not sure if Steve & London were quite as excited as I was! They prefer that you don't take too many pictures, so I didn't get as many as I would have liked, but I will never forget this experience.

It was such a fascinating and beautiful tour of the apartment. Once you go up the first flight of stairs, the beveled mirrors are exactly as I had expected. I can completely imagine the fashion shows that she had down the stairs. Then in her apartment, it was beautiful. She had amazing original Chinese screens and customized chandeliers. Every aspect of this apartment had a special touch that directly correlated to some aspect of her life and experiences. Whether it was the men she was involved with and their gifts or her Leo sign, with lions displayed everywhere, it was all very unique and amazingly beautiful. She mixed so many period pieces and designs and of course it worked perfectly......she was Chanel!

After our tour we went downstairs to the boutique. It was so big compared to the boutique in Dallas. How fun to find a special piece that was only available in Paris, don't you think???? After a little shopping it only seemed appropriate to have lunch at the Ritz-Carlton across from the boutique where Chanel kept a suite. We had a lovely lunch and the only issue of the day is that we ordered a dessert to share and London didn't quite understand why the ENTIRE dessert was for her. She had become quite used to her French desserts! Who can blame her for not wanting to share?!?!

How exactly do you come back to Paris after this experience??? Perhaps our next visit to Paris will be for a Chanel fashion show. Hmmmm, I do believe my birthday falls around spring fashion shows!!!! ;->

Seriously, I sincerely want to thank the lovely ladies, Pilar & Yvette from the Dallas boutique for setting up this experience. It was the most perfect day in Paris! Truly beautiful & unforgettable!

This is the only thing I wanted from this trip - a picture of me & London on Coco Chanel's famous staircase where she had her fashion shows many years ago.

Even better, all three of us on the staircase at Coco Chanel's apartment

Another angle of the staircase - it is all original and is quite beautiful

Inside the apartment where all the details of the apartment design were being explained to us on the tour

Coco Chanel's chandelier design. Do you see the number 5's and the interlocking CC's throughout the chandelier? Amazing!

This was one of two statues in the apartment. Since Chanel never married or had children she referred to these 'men' as her 'companions' in her later years. She bought the statues in Venice.

Clearly London was introducing herself to Coco Chanel's 'companion.' London was hoping he would dance with her. ;->

Outside the boutique after an amazing tour of Chanel's personal apartment and of course some SHOPPING!!!!

Look mom, I'm ready to go - love SHOP, SHOP!!!

London was making a run towards the seamstresses in the Couture department. Can you really blame her????

Lunch at the Ritz - 'What do you mean you want to SHARE this dessert????"