Flânant à Paris

This is Monday, 21 February, our huitième day à Paris. The time is going very quickly.

Some of the places we have visited frequently and since the last blog include Cathédrale  Notre-Dame, Square de la Tour St-Jacques,  l’Église St-Eustache, Fontaine des Innocents, we have walked across le Pont des Arts,  le Pont Neuf,  been  à la Sorbonne, been back to Place des Victoires, which is now completely sectioned off. 
  

Le Jardin du Palais- Royal February 2011

We have walked through Le Jardin du Palais Royal and come out of the gardens opposite the north wing of Le Louvre.

Le Jardin du Palais-Royal February 2011

Le Centre Pompidou (referred to as ‘Beauborg’) is a landmark for us as is La Tour St-Jacques. When you think you are getting lost, you then see a bit of white or blue plumbing  of le Centre Pompidou jutting out into the rue.  L’Hôtel  de Ville is again a bit of a landmark for us. We often visit le magasin, BHV –Bazar de l’ Hôtel de Ville.  Another shop we have frequented for ordinary household products is   Leroy-Merlin, 52 rue Rambuteau 1e (arrondissement).  Forum des Halles which is corridors of chain stores, is a minutes walk from where we live. Frequently, we walk along or cross la Seine.

Wednesday, we shopped in the famous rue Montorgueil 2e and returned there on Friday.  It is an old fashioned pedestrian market street. Again, it is only a few minutes from where we live.

Also,the famous Pâtissier  Stohrer which dates back to 1730, is on this rue. So far, we have only looked in the window. No doubt, by the time I write the next blog, we may have sampled something like their baba rhum (rum drenched brioche) or some other mouth watering delicacy. In April 2004, Queen Elizabeth II, on an official visit to Paris, walked into the shop to buy a cake, so I guess I can do it too.

 

Rue Montorgueil,  with all the pâtissiers, the delicatessens, the caterers, the brassieres and the  small restaurants are all that is left of the huge market place, Les Halles demolished in the 1970’s.

On Thursday, we had our second trip on le Mètro to les Galeries Lafayette et au Printemps on blvd Haussmann 9e, although we could easily have walked there, They are large magasins like an expanded David Jones, block after block.

I had my haircut on Friday by Alexandre  and I will go back there next time. Again, this was a good exercise in learning the French vocabulary in regards to having a haircut.

Yesterday, Sunday, was Geoffrey’s first day out for a while,he has been unwell. We went to La Marché aux Enfants Rouges in the 3e. This is the oldest covered market market in Paris, dating back to 1612. Not a lot of stalls open as would be expected at this time of year. In my opinion, the quality of the produce was not up the standard that we have seen elsewhere.

We have been at a bit of a standstill for a few days because Geoffrey has a cold, flu and sore throat. Also in Dubai,he broke his little toe, which has not helped.

This has forced me to go out and around the streets of Paris on my own and loving it and then find my way home. Obviously this has worked.

Today, Monday, my being immersed in the French language was to post a letter and some birthday cards. The end result was that I managed to do  just that. To achieve this, I had to ask someone à une pharmacie, “Où est le bureau de poste s’íl vous plait”? This was after I had planned my trip to the post office meticulously….. however,  the best thing  was that I could understand her directions in French.  The post office was self service and I did not blink an eye, nor throw the items to be posted in the bin. There were plenty of staff to assist and again it was all done in French.

We love Paris. I have replanted the flowerboxes
on the balconies of our apartment.

We wander the streets and there is plenty of time to do everything. The fresh produce is superb.  I generally make a baguette for lunch and Geoffrey cooks the dinner. Paris has fresh produce from all over the world. In Australia we buy only Australian produce, but here we buy everything no matter where it is from.

It was 1^o C in the morning a few days ago, however, we soon warm up in the apartment when we return from wherever. Geoffrey has already made enquiries about renting the place next year.

À bientôt