Taking It Easy on A Sunny Day

The French Weather Service promised a spectacular day and it was! Bright blue skies and temperatures above 63, meant switching to a vest and leaving the jacket at home.  Since the bakery was closed yesterday (actually we couldn’t find it), we decided to head back over to the Left Bank and see if we could pick up our morning croissant there. You’ll remember from yesterday that the bakery we sought was supposedly the one that provides baguettes and croissants (the BEST!) to the Presidential Palace. We found 18-20 rue Jean-Nicot, and it wasn’t there anymore. The lesson in that is that despite a 2012 Guidebook’s recommendation, be prepared for an adventure – what you’re looking for may – or may not – be there. If it were really that good, why would it be out of business? Maybe, Carla banned carbs at the palace!

We hopped back to the right bank to a Clark’s Shoe store we passed earlier in our trip. I wanted to check out a new pair of shoes. Last night I checked Clark’s websites, yes there are more than one. The French one had a more interesting selection than the others. They didn’t have it, so we checked another one. I now have French shoes.

Christophe, our friendly waiter at Bar La Pointe St Eustache

We headed back to the apartment to drop off my purchase and decided it was lunch-time. We searched rue Montorgueil for a bistro with an open table outside to take advantage of the sun. Seems the rest of Paris had the same idea.  We found a table at Bar La Pointe St Eustache and our waiter, Christophe, greeted us warmly – not the normal French attitude. We ordered lunch and huge portions arrived with a pitcher of rose. We soaked up the sun, watched people stroll by, and noticed street dancing acts.

We walked to the Seine and decided to check out the sights along the river on the bus. A quick jump over to Champs de Mars and the Eiffel Tower, noticing that the trees are budding and have a tinge of green. Back on the bus and along the Seine to Chatelet. We crossed the bridge and visited Notre Dame with the windows brightly illuminated by the sun. No line at this time of day!

Pat, on the Champs de Mars

Mike on the Champs de Mars

Up close, Notre Dame

We headed back to the apartment to rest up before our dinner at Hugo’s and give Mike time to check the schedule for potential flights home.

A happy pair of tourists

Pat’s idea of a slow day — 8 miles today!

Restaurants:
Bar La Point Saint Eustache
1 rue Montorgueil (2)

La Cordonnerie
20 rue Sain Roch (1)

 

 

Restaurants:

La Pointe Saint-Eustache
1 rue Montorgueil (2nd.)

 

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