As soon as we arrived in Paris, we updated our Navigo Decouverte card which gives us unlimited Metro rides for the week or month — at a price of course.
My NaviGO pass – just swipe and ride, after you recharge it, of course
After a quick breakfast at the apartment, we headed out to complete one of our Paris walks from “Walking Paris” – Republique to La Villette. Â It is a walk of about 3 1/2 miles, starting at Place de la Republique past the Hopital St-Louis (built in 1607-11 to cope with the nationwide outbreak of the plague) through a 19th century working class neighborhood and extending northward along the Canal St Martin, Bassin de la Villette, and the canal de l’Ourcq.
Art adorning the garden outside Hopital St-Louis
The canals linked to the Seine previously and when opened in 1825 spawned growth to the area with workshops and small industries, many now transformed in bistros and shops. The footbridges crossing the canal yield a great view of the locks – all iced in due to the extreme cold France is suffering.
Don’t think these boats are going anywhere….
So count one metro ride from apartment to Republique.
Along the canals, pathways had traces of previous snows and the canals were frozen. Towards the end of the walk, we found a Depots-Vente – one of my favorite haunts from the old Three French Hens days.
Here are some photos of what we saw at La Salle des Ventes du Particulier!
 Ahhh! The Three French Hens are BACK! |
 What I wouldn’t give for a container! |
 Check this one out! |
 Love the way they upholstered these chairs! |
 A chandelier to die for… |
Warmed up after wandering around the shop, we continued on along the canal to the end and caught the Metro for the second time at Ourcq, getting off at St. Paul. The time we headed to Als de Falafel in the Marais on rue de Rosiers. Â Since the lunch crowd had disbanded, we were seated immediately and ordered our falafel platters. The two gentlemen next to us had just come from Tel Aviv and they swore the falafels here were better than any they had in Israel. They also recommended a place down the block for panninis – Korcarz. Â Add that to the list!
 l’As du Fallafel in the Marais on rue de Rosiers |
 Mike’s plate of Falafel |
Stroll back to St Paul and hop the Metro for the third time heading for l’Opera and the Apple store in Paris! It is in a former bank building, a beautiful remodel, with tons of light, a huge staff, and lots of customers. Â The accessories department (Mike was seeking a French adapter to recharge his iPhone) was in the basement of the building – perhaps in the former vault. Â They had one entire wall filled with iPhone covers that I had never seen before, many with designer names, some with bling, lots with pink, and even one with Angry Birds. Mike chose not to buy the adapter since it carried a price tag of 35 euros. He also did some comparative shopping and noted the unlocked version of the iPhone was 629 euros! Â Can’t do that exchange rate math in my head….
 Apple: Paris is right across the street from Opera Garnier |
 Apple:Paris in a former bank – so much light |
 Was this the vault? Notice the Apple T-Shirts on employees – casual even in stylish Paris |
Then back to the Metro for our fourth ride back to apartment to prop up our feet after putting in our five miles or more today. Now about this apartment: it is small, but we knew that. It is dated and needs some overhaul – it doesn’t even rate as shabby chic just plain Jane. No architectural features or charm to speak of! Â But about that mold in the bathroom….
How do I get rid of this stuff? I even tried scrubbing with a old toothbrush!
And the smoking in the hallways! But we’re here for the neighborhood…..
After a short rest, it’s off to Rue Montorgueil for a flute pivot (a skinny baguette with poppy seeds), fruit (French apples, pears, Spanish oranges, and strawberries from who knows where), cheese. So tonight’s dinner is apple, pear, cheese, bread, and a little cotes-de-rhone. A great end to a full day!
Restaurants:
L’As du Fallafel, 34, rue des Rosiers, 4th. (Métro: St. Paul); (33-1) 48-87-63-60.
Closed Saturday
NY Times Article
