La Belle Époque, France's Beautiful Age

I'm excited about an upcoming book release, A Paris Apartment, which tells the story of a woman living in Paris during the belle époque. The years from 1871 to 1914 were a time of indulgence, optimism and innovation which came to an end with the advent of World War I. But the building and artistic endeavours during this period helped shape the Paris that we know and love today.

The city of Paris played host to two World's Fairs during this time. The first exposition in 1889 saw construction of the iconic Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Paris and Montmartre

Paris, 2012 - Our second day in Paris got off to a great start with a delicious cup of café au lait and two pain au chocolat still warm from the oven. Breakfast is one of the little things that lured me back to France.

The included city sightseeing tour would take in many sights we had visited the last time we were in Paris, but we joined the tour as far as Place de la Concorde. From here we walked through the Tuileries Garden and onward along the River Seine to Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Paris - Tuileries Garden