There used to be a market with many small stalls with umbrellas or coverings. Then Napoleon 3rd (I think) had this built. It was there a long time. It was deserted because of rats and whatever.
To bring people back they started building this building in the 1970s and before it was finished they decided that they did not like it.
There are these bicycle stands all over the city. You rent them from one place and can drop them off at any other stand. The first 1/2 hour is free and so a lot of people rent for 29 minutes and then wait a few minutes and then get another for another 29 minutes.
We walked home over one of the bridges of locks (not its proper name). Apparently when couples get married they buy a lock and attach it to the fence of the bridge and then throw the key into the Seine. Profess undying love and that they are locked together. The city tried to remove them and there was such an outcry that they left them alone.
We had to make a quick stop at the Louvre to go to the gift shop. Sharon needed a Louvre book. Then we had to hurry home, get Kris and head out again to get to the concert we were going to at La Sainte Chappelle. We made it just in time.
They are now tearing it down so they can build this new mall/cultural center.
We stopped in several stores. Then we ended the walking portion of the tour at a little wine shop.
We had our tastings there: bread, cheese, wine, cherries, quince paste, a fresh mint chocolate dessert. That was interesting.
cheese and quince paste
bread - she told us how you could pick a good baguette.
fresh mint and chocolate cake.
After our tour we went for lunch at the Creperie Beaubourg near the Pompidou. We all had savory crepes and wine.
After this Kris stayed home and got some much needed rest. Jennifer, Sharon and I headed off to the left bank for an afternoon in the 6th arondissment or the Saint Germaine area.
There are these bicycle stands all over the city. You rent them from one place and can drop them off at any other stand. The first 1/2 hour is free and so a lot of people rent for 29 minutes and then wait a few minutes and then get another for another 29 minutes.Along the outside fence of the Luxembourg garden is an feminist art installation of photographs. This is one titled Moscow. "An Orthodox Mona Lisa" at Weaver's Cathedral 2005
No shortage of views of the Eiffel Tower.
We went to Jardin du Luxembourg, a very manicured garden.
We went to Un Dimanche for hot chocolate. It was hidden away in a side alley. We were lucky we found it.
Unfortunately, I had the same problem I had at Angelina's a few days ago. I don't want hot chocolate when I am hot and tired. I hear it was a delicious drinking chocolate. So I had a red peach sorbet which was very refreshing. Someday maybe I will go back to both Angelina's and Un Dimanche for hot chocolate in the morning and compare.
We walked home over one of the bridges of locks (not its proper name). Apparently when couples get married they buy a lock and attach it to the fence of the bridge and then throw the key into the Seine. Profess undying love and that they are locked together. The city tried to remove them and there was such an outcry that they left them alone.
We had to make a quick stop at the Louvre to go to the gift shop. Sharon needed a Louvre book. Then we had to hurry home, get Kris and head out again to get to the concert we were going to at La Sainte Chappelle. We made it just in time.
We went to a concert at La Sainte Chappelle. I was blown away. It is a small chapel but it is entirely in stained glass. Not an impressive place from the outside.
We heard Handel's Sarabande, Mozart's Sarabande and Vivaldi's 4 Seasons performed by Bertrand Cervera and Company. It was an hour concert. I am so glad we went.
After that we came home to relax with some wine and cheese. We needed a break from the fabulous 3 hour dinners. :-).
