Eye Prefer Paris Tours: Fred & Randy

Fred and Randy, two of the most fun loving, energetic guys you ever want to meet, did my Marais tour in December.Even though they wanted to see the wonderful architecture and history, the guys also loved to shop. Fred is a real fashion plate, so I took him and Randy to some of the best men's boutiques in the Marais including l'Eclaireur. Fred is slim and compact, built like a typical Parisian man, so he fit perfectly into almost everything (I hated him for this).  A spiffy cherry red velvet blazer caught his eye and it fit him to a tee. I practically had to drag Fred out of there kicking and screaming but I enticed him with the promise of other great shops.

Fred the pensive fashion plate

One of my favorite places to take clients is a small shop with the most exquisite collection of antique and rare musical instruments, dating as far back as the 18th century. Fred is the director of The Seattle Choral Company and Randy is also a well accomplished choral singer,so I knew they would love the shop. The genteel, generous man that owns the shop and repairs the instruments came out and started to play an unusual violin with a keyboard. Being the ultimate showmen and hams, Randy and Fred broke out into song and belted out O Sole Mio in full concert voice, enough so the whole of Place des Vosges could hear them. They were both elated and said it was the best moment of the trip.
Fred and Randy right before the big belt out

Fred is a master cook and he and Randy love to give extravagant dinner parties. Later that afternoon we toured the Etienne Marcel neighborhood where we walked the fantastic food street rue Montorguell and also visited the professional cookware stores where the chefs shop.

I had so much fun with Fred and Randy that I invited them to go with me to the Garnier Opera to see the Maria Callas show of her Swarovski jewelry the next day. We marveled at the gorgeous Swarovski jewels diva Callas had worn for all the legendary operas she performed in and Randy said one diva viewing another divas gems was an unexpected treat! We also toured the opera museum which had beautifully detailed miniature sets, famous paintings and photographs of great dancers past and present, and a fascinating history of the opera house. Afterwards the guys generously invited me for lunch and we went to a classic cafe and munched on delicious, crispy Croque Monsieurs, which they never had before.
Chagall ceiling at Opera Garnier
The Diva Callas jewels
Fred & I in front of the Opera Garnier Xmas tree

Fred and Randy asked me to share a wonderful, lively restaurant they found called Aux P’tit Canaillou, at 4 rue Saint Merri (tel. 01 42 77 25 45), a little side street in the Marais. They asked the cute, friendly Asian waiter what the name of the restaurant meant and he whispered in their ears " At the place of the Little Naughty One". The food was so good and so reasonable (22 euros for a 3 course meal, wine 10 euros a bottle), and the service so friendly they ate there twice.

We are now BFF's and they have invited me to stay with them anytime I visit Seattle. Watch out guys- I'm coming soon!

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Comments

[Evelyn]

You guys had 'way too much fun! I'm glad you included a picture of the violin/keyboard instrument...fascinating.

[Judy]

This is so much fun: a great combination of the dramatis personae and itinerary stops...plus the wonderful pickshas!

[Vicki]

You have too much fun with your job! I am envious!

[Blair]

Thanks so much for sharing a lovely description of your tour. It was a wonderful way to brighten my day in a very cold Cleveland (-2 degrees Farenheit this AM brrrrrrrrrrrrr)

[Jaume]

hello,

I go to Paris in two weeks. Can you say me the adress of the instruments shop, please? thank you very much.