Sitting gazing out the window of the apartment, looking at a sky that is blue with fluffy white and grey clouds with the sun shining on the buildings for as far as we can see, sun bouncing off the dome of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre in the distance, I wonder whether we should write a blog, have a glass of wine or both. Glass of wine is a given, so it looks like both. Back in a few minutes.
Sunday 28th:
We walked around Le Marais & Bastille areas this morning, loosely following a walk suggested in a book we brought with us, “Walking Paris, the best of the city”. This took us past the Hotel Sully, built in the early 17 century as a private home and is now the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the caretaker of France’s national treasures.
Past the Hotel Sully is a spectacular square, the Place des Vosges, which was built between 1605 and 1612. It is said to be the most perfect square in Paris, with beautiful 17th century town houses (Victor Hugo lived in one of them), manicured trees and a very popular public space.
On to Place Bastille, where the Bastille, a fortified prison, was stormed on July 14, 1789. The prison’s former footprint is marked in cobblestones. Big market on the day with all sorts of edible delicacies and other foods as well as clothes and other useful, and not so useful, stuff. Bought 10 avocados for 1 euro. Only had to throw 1 out.
Passed by the Musee (should have an accent on the first e, but don’t know how to do that) Carnavalet, a museum for the history of Paris. Will return in the next few days to go inside. On past the Archives Nationales, which exhibits priceless documents and artifacts from France’s past and down to the Seine. On the way, we saw the regular Sunday roller blade crowd pass by along one of the main roads beside the river. There seemed to be several hundred of them in a group. The road is closed to traffic to allow the roller bladers a very fast run. Police were on duty to ensure the way was clear for them and then to open the road to vehicles again. There were even police roller blading with them.
Every summer for the last number of years (how’s that for a very accurate time frame?), one of the roads beside the Seine River is closed to vehicles and the “Paris Plage” becomes a very well used “beach”. There are deck chairs, umbrellas, people who shouldn’t be sunbaking in public and people who look good sunbaking.
Back “home” for baguette, cheese, avocado, ham & wine for dinner, having had a nice felafel on a restaurant on the way.
Monday 29th:
Took the Metro to the Arc de Triomphe. Climbed the narrow, steep circular stairs to the top and had a great view over Paris. Watched the traffic entering, leaving and going around, with 12 roads radiating out from the centre. All very civilised, traffic in the intersection has to give way to traffic entering.
Lunch in a small but very popular park beside a church. A little peace & relaxation in the middle of the busy city.
Walked along the main shopping street, then Metro back to near Le Marais and walked back home, picking up a pastry to go with coffee (still Carte Noir) and food for dinner.
Just had to mostly close the windows to keep the heavy rain from splashing in. For the last 3 nights, there have been short storms with heavy rain, enough to cool the air and make it much more comfortable. Rain has almost stopped now (after 5 mins), and the horizon is incredibly clear.
Sunday 28th:
We walked around Le Marais & Bastille areas this morning, loosely following a walk suggested in a book we brought with us, “Walking Paris, the best of the city”. This took us past the Hotel Sully, built in the early 17 century as a private home and is now the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the caretaker of France’s national treasures.
Past the Hotel Sully is a spectacular square, the Place des Vosges, which was built between 1605 and 1612. It is said to be the most perfect square in Paris, with beautiful 17th century town houses (Victor Hugo lived in one of them), manicured trees and a very popular public space.
On to Place Bastille, where the Bastille, a fortified prison, was stormed on July 14, 1789. The prison’s former footprint is marked in cobblestones. Big market on the day with all sorts of edible delicacies and other foods as well as clothes and other useful, and not so useful, stuff. Bought 10 avocados for 1 euro. Only had to throw 1 out.
Passed by the Musee (should have an accent on the first e, but don’t know how to do that) Carnavalet, a museum for the history of Paris. Will return in the next few days to go inside. On past the Archives Nationales, which exhibits priceless documents and artifacts from France’s past and down to the Seine. On the way, we saw the regular Sunday roller blade crowd pass by along one of the main roads beside the river. There seemed to be several hundred of them in a group. The road is closed to traffic to allow the roller bladers a very fast run. Police were on duty to ensure the way was clear for them and then to open the road to vehicles again. There were even police roller blading with them.
Every summer for the last number of years (how’s that for a very accurate time frame?), one of the roads beside the Seine River is closed to vehicles and the “Paris Plage” becomes a very well used “beach”. There are deck chairs, umbrellas, people who shouldn’t be sunbaking in public and people who look good sunbaking.
Back “home” for baguette, cheese, avocado, ham & wine for dinner, having had a nice felafel on a restaurant on the way.
Monday 29th:
Took the Metro to the Arc de Triomphe. Climbed the narrow, steep circular stairs to the top and had a great view over Paris. Watched the traffic entering, leaving and going around, with 12 roads radiating out from the centre. All very civilised, traffic in the intersection has to give way to traffic entering.
Lunch in a small but very popular park beside a church. A little peace & relaxation in the middle of the busy city. Walked along the main shopping street, then Metro back to near Le Marais and walked back home, picking up a pastry to go with coffee (still Carte Noir) and food for dinner.
Just had to mostly close the windows to keep the heavy rain from splashing in. For the last 3 nights, there have been short storms with heavy rain, enough to cool the air and make it much more comfortable. Rain has almost stopped now (after 5 mins), and the horizon is incredibly clear.
Paris sounds and looks fantastic - whilst we were there for three days we didn't see a great deal - I don't think we were adventurous enough (probably my lack of French language skills scared me off!).
ReplyDeleteI look forward to more commentary