A bit of a splurge

I'm so glad I ate here at the Grand Véfour when I
did—9 years ago, when the prix fixe lunch was
about $100 total.  Now it's at least half again more,
though no doubt still an incredible culinary experience.
Might be best to have lunch here rather than dinner, unless
you've just won the lottery and don't think 84 euros is
a tad dear for caviar "à la cuillère" (i.e., a third of an ounce) 
and some whole-wheat blinis—and that's just a starter.

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.]

Le Weekend en Noir et Blanc

Must admit that I was not an immediate fan of the
Colonnes de [conceptual artist Daniel] Buren
at the Palais Royal.  But they've grown on me—they
are a definite improvement over the parking lot that used
to occupy this space, and small children think they're
a playground.  Rosemary Kneipp (whose blog, Aussie in France, 
is always interesting and informative) told me when 
I met her in November that Buren's design was inspired 
by those de rigueur gray-and-white striped awnings that shade 
 the windows (including hers) overlooking the Palais Royal garden.

[To see more of The Weekend in Black and White,
visit Dragonstar's meme.]

Jardin du Palais Royal

This was an early-spring day in the garden
of the Palais Royal, and the pleached
lime trees were already leafing out. The
building just visible at the end of the allée
is where Colette once lived.

[It's Shadow Shot Sunday. To see more, go here.
And of course, I'm Dreaming of France.]