Le Tour Eiffel and a Norman Farm: 30x30 Outfit 2

Dress: Bebe / Top: Buckle / Shoes: Clarks / Necklace: Ruche / Earrings: AE / Scarf: Parisian vendor

We woke bright and early and got to the Tour Eiffel by 7:30 am, and as you can see there wasn't a tourist in sight! We came across only a few joggers and gendarmes* while taking advantage of this photo op. The gendarmes watched me like a crazy lady, but for once I didn't care. I was at Le Tour Eiffel {pronounced Eee-fel in French}! The Parisians hated it when poor Gustave was constructing it for Paris's World Fair. And petitioned to have removed. I bet he got a few tomatoes thrown at his abode. I also bet they were secretly glad he didn't cave. Bien fait*, Monsieur Eiffel.  Property by his work of art is prime real estate these days.

It was supposed to rain all morning, but miraculously the clouds parted for the hour we spent there. When we finished around 8:30, the queue for entrance into the tower was starting up. We considered waiting, because the Husband had never been to the top, but since it looked like it might rain again he decided we'd better just be on our way to Normandy. We strolled along La Seine on our way back to the Metro station...

 ...then checked out of our hotel and took the RER train back to the airport to get our rental car. 

We've been to Paris before, so we kept this trip short to maximize time in Normandy and the Riveria. After a ridiculously long wait for the car, and having to return to find out how to go in reverse in our spanking new Skoda Fabia  {it's where first gear is and you have to push down on the shift...bizarre} we hit the road to Normandy.  Along the way, we hit up a Carrefour for some snacks, stopped by this lovely wheat field {these little side excursions are the Husband's fave}...

...and this charming place...



...and finally arrived at the bed and breakfast farm recommended by Rick Steves for 38 euro, including breakfast, in the most enchanting 300 year old stone compound overgrown with flowers, two dogs and several cats and kittens, old wooden doors, and stone stairways.

Our room is through this archway...

...up this stone stairway...

...past this landing...

...and behind this wooden door.

Isn't it simplement parfait*?

Too perfect. Once again, we laid down for a nap only to awake at midnight. There went our idea to hit up some D-Day beaches that were only a few miles away.  That's why this post didn't get up in time. Oh la la!

P.S. I clearly need to train the Husband to warn me when my hair is misbehaving. I lost a few bobby pins with those chunks over my ears by the tower.

P.P.S. So sorry for the lack of accents on French words; I don't know how to make them on my laptop yet.

P.P.PS. This is getting ridiculous, but I'm dying to know what you think of this dress? I came across it shopping for EBEW maxi day, then couldn't resist it after we booked this trip. I thought it was perfectly French, but it turns out I needed my black leather jacket for an ace in that department. They're everywhere. In fact, there's lots of black in general. Black on black, black and white, black and nudes, and black and florals. I especially saw quite a few small print, muted floral minis with black tights or leggings and flats or boots.  Hmm...perhaps I'll have to find a floral skirt to add to my 30x30. I daresay I'd fit right in, then :) Except for my accent, of course. They always think I'm British, though, so I may be improving. Or it's my hair.

Linked up here for the Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday!

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*gendarmes = policemen; bien fait = well done; simplement parfait = simply perfect
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