The late, great Lou Reed’s words resonating in my ears I take to the streets to make the most of my last days reveling in what beautiful Paris has to offer. One week. Just one more week to explore her beauty, taste her culture, forge lasting memories. The sun is shining and as the man says – ‘it’s such a perfect day’…
Today’s highlights:
Le petit déjeuner (small breakfast) in a quaint outdoor cafe.
Hôtel de Ville Love locks on the Pont des Arts behind Notre Dame
L’Hôtel national des Invalides (The National Residence of the Invalids) war memorial and Napoleon’s tomb
The Place Vendôme and Pont Neuf
Wandering home after a coffee stop
Back at Republique...just another perfect day indeed.
Checked out the National Archives. Aside from housing all the public docs from the state of France since the seventh century AD to 1958 did you know that Napoleon’s will is also stored there along with the rules of tennis, keys to the dungeons of Bastille and the declaration of human rights? A whole lot more of course. Interesting.
Could have lingered a few days and risk being personally filed under the curious Dewey system. Stately building too.
Walked the length and breadth of Île de la Cité, the island on which Notre Dame sits. And then it’s smaller sister the Île Saint-Louise. Did you know that all road distances from France are calculated from the 0 km point in the square facing Notre Dame’s western towers? Tried to push the tourists off the marker and take a selfie for posterity but no joy.
Lunched in a lovely little restaurant where a British born-again Christian (post adultery) tried to save me. Jesus was our only savior said he (between hoovering up great mouthfuls of frites because they’re forbidden back home). Nope. We are our own saviors said I (between spooning down great mouthfuls of a very nice Cafe Gourmand selection in preparation for taking flight). Did you know that if you order a Cafe Gourmand you’ll get your coffee PLUS three or four small desserts? Nice!
Tomorrow, the Passages…the quaint kind between buildings.
Le petit déjeuner (small breakfast) in a quaint outdoor cafe.
Love locks on the Pont des Arts behind Notre Dame
L’Hôtel national des Invalides (The National Residence of the Invalids) war memorial and Napoleon’s tomb
The Place Vendôme and Pont Neuf
Wandering home after a coffee stop
Back at Republique...just another perfect day indeed.
