Another walk from our book of walks through Paris with side shopping trip added. This walk started at the Metro stop Maubert-Mutualite. Mike’s pedometer ended the afternoon showing 4 miles, so we put in our required steps for the day. We’re on break before dinner – we plan on moules and frites later – so I though I’d catch up on the day’s activities.
Started out with a plain ol’ American breakfast: cereal with those lovely strawberries from the market down the street. Then, off to the tourist trail.
Check out the bright sky in this photo of Notre Dame! Wind coming off Seine was so cold we quickly crossed street and ducked back into the narrow streets for shelter.
Today’s walk took us to the Latin Quarter and St-Germain-des-Pres, where Paris showcases its medieval past and where the University was born. Â Place Maubert was the meeting site for students under the direction of Peter Abelard (who died in 1142, often viewed as the inventor of Rive Gauche) and just a little farther was the College of Constantinople, established in 1206. Hence the nickname the birth of the university. Â Students, however at that time studied in the open air – in parks and squares sitting on bales of straw.
We wandered streets with houses dating to the 17th and 18th century, a great view of Notre Dame along the Seine, an area steeped in 14th century history, a street dating to 1202, found what is rumored to be the oldest tree in Paris planted in 1601, visited St-Julian-le-Pauvre one of the first sanctuaries on the Left Bank. Â Supposedly St Thomas Aquinas and Dante have prayed there.
The oldest tree in Paris in the park next to St-Julian-le-Pauvre - looks a little scruffy in the winter - notice the cement in the crevice
Rue Galande is one of the oldest streets in Paris being the beginning of an old Roman road to Lyon and to Rome. Of course, we wandered through the area of the Latin Quarter known for its eateries of dubious quality whose staff stand outside, even in this cold, and “hawk” customers to enter. We passed the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, currently showing an exposition of Rembrandt and his contemporaries.
Naturally along the way we passed galleries and shops filled with Parisian chic – like Nobilis! We even found a luthier shop! Though it was warmer than yesterday and the sun was shining, we took a break in St-Germain-des-Pres at Cafe le Bonaparte to warm up and to savor a cup of hot chocolate for me and coffee for Mike in their sunny, enclosed outdoor area overlooking the square.
Some of the eclectic things we saw today in St-Germain-des-Pres and elsewhere – a possible source of inspiration
 Check out this chair - upholstered in canvas and painted all over frame included. Do you think they let you sit in it? |
 Poulet Roti! You can find these roasting at every butcher. Makes you very hungry. |
 Fabulous art nouveau corner restaurant |
 A street named after the daughter of Henri IV, opened after Pont Neuf was built |
 Now this is bling - Parisian-style |
 School of Medicine dating from 15th century, this amphitheater was built in 18th century |
After our break, we hit BHV to look for hats, moved on to Galleries-Lafayette where I purchased a hat and slippers to wear around the apartment. Then, we strolled down to Place Madeleine to the flower market to purchase some tulips to liven up the apartment.
Now this is the way to shop - the very beautiful Galleries Lafayette
Purchases completed, we hopped the Metro and headed back to the apartment. Since we had skipped lunch, we snacked on fruit to tide us over until dinner. Â Another day of walking and shopping in Paris!
