Saturday: June 26
A walking tour....
I decided to do something different today. Till now, I have taken you places and showed those places to you. But I don't think you're getting the feel for walking around and jusst seeing Paris. So today we go walking. And I will just show you things I see. I may not know what they are, but that's part of the fun. See it, like it, take a picture. So take a walk with me and see some of the varied sites along the road.
BTW, except for the two time noted, every picture in this entire site was taken by me. And every place that we have seen we have walked to or taken the metro to and then walked back. It really is a great city! Enjoy....
Click on the picture to see a larger view....
Another cute and nice item scattered throughout the city are the Wallace Fountains. Here you can grab a quick, refreshing drink of water. And again, they are very nice looking.
La cure gourmande
Want a snack. There are many many shops that sell all kind of delectables. Here a "cookie shop" called La cure gourmande. They are cute little shops richly decordated and the small is just wonderful Not good for the waistline though.
Le Centorial, Credit Lyonnais
I just liked the building. So many of the buildings here are just beautiful.
Collinade Street
I love the collinades throughout Paris. Aren't they just georgeous?
Street Musicians
As you walk along, you often run into street musicians. Sometimes it's a group, sometimes a solitary individual. You'll find them in the metro, or on a corner, or in a place. There is a 10 or so man group in the Chatelet metro that are Russian and play lively Russian songs. They are really good and probably do a fair business selling their CDs on the side.
Demonstration
It seems to be quite normal in many European cities to hold demonstrations. They are loud but rarely violent or damaging. Often others join the demonstration and push their own cause. Interesting....
Stadt Charlety
There are several stadiums in and around the city. This one is near the University of Paris. We went there to visit a broccant.
La Santos Prison
We wandered into this monstrosity. There are no signs to tell you what it is. I thought it might be a resevoir but when I queried it when I got hom, it turns out it is the famous La Santos Prison. Here people like Carlos were kept. It is still very much active, but there is no way to see what goes on inside...not do I think I want to. It looks forebodding from the outside.
Le Grand Cafe Capucinis
This, one of many famous cafes in Paris. This particular one supposedly invented the Capuchino, which is frothed milk rather than steamed milk. Sounds like a fortunate mistake to me. Nice place...
Institute Francais
In this magnificant structure, some elite set of people "protect" the French language. The define new words and in general protect the French language as best they can. A really great building.
Ministre of Foreign Affairs
As you walk along one of the boulevards you see this HUGE and magnificant building. Turns out it is the Ministre of Foreigh Affairs. Must employ a lot of people. Ah yes, a trivial piece of info: in France, 21% of all employable people are employed by the State....I don't know if it includes military.
Typical Street Cafe
Here is a typical street cafe. Walk up, grab a chair, have a coffee, and watch the people. It's a great pasttime. Yes, coffee is expensive but you need to look at it as "renting real estate". They won't ask you to oleave. Sit there as long as you wish.
Architecture
I kinda like it, but it may just be me. Here, two building that have an odd attachment. Almost looks midevgil. Great stuff.
A Nice Street to Eat
There are many streets in Paris which have been closed off to traffic. Here, one which is lined on one side with restaurants offering delectable food. It is really a nice atmosphere. You'll find many....
Monument
Here is a beautiful monument build into the end of a building. I forgot what it was, but it sure is nice. There are hundreds of these all around Paris.
Theatre de la Ville
One of the many theatres thoughout Paris. This one, at Chatelet, is famous for its looks and grandeur.
Broccant
Broccant's are like flea markets. But it is a BIG business in Paris. These are well organizaed events which occur every weekend suring spring through fall. The stuff they sell and the price they sell it for is amazing. For example, an empty bottle of Chanel was Euro 15....yes, empty. I'm not sure who buys this stuff. But they are fun to visit and walk around.
Sidewalk Artist
You find various entertainers everywhere. This guy was by the Centre Pompidu.
Baby Bus
Of course public transportation is great. The Metro goes everywhere and is fast and efficient. Sema likes the buses because you get to see around. Here is a baby bus that Sema thought was cute. So I took a picture and you have to see it.
A La Mere de Famile
There are a lot of old and unique shops in Paris. This one, the mother of the family, offers wines and desserts. It looked delicious. This place was established in 1751 and is still going stron. Pretty neat isn't it.
Bank National France
They have severral offices, but this one was particularly impressive. Hope you like it.
An interesting building...
I have no idea what this building is, but I thought it was kinda different. A bit narrow. Unique. Nice.
Interesting street
Actually a pretty area. Lots of trees and greenery. On the corner is a German tavern with the appropriate oompah music. On the right you see the steet go into a tunnel. This goes under the Les Halles area. Very near Centre Pompidu.
Village Saint-Paul alley
I think I showed you Village Saint Pail before. As you walk around you'll find many small alleys. This one, at the end, there is a nice picture painted onto the wall. From a distance it looks like a statue. No name or attribution; it's just a nice touch.
Place Saint-Catherine
This is a nice little square right off Rue Rivoli by Saint-Paul. A long time ago it used to be a merket but now it is just a lovely square with some cafes around it. A really nice place to take a break, relax, and maybe grab a coffee.
A Turkish Bath
Walking back on one of the side streets, we spotted this old Turkish bath. Notice on top the signs for spa and pool (piscine). Also, and you have to look close, you can see the old lettering of "Hammam Saint-Paul, meaning this was the Saint-Paul Turkish bath, but more importantly that is was for hammam, or women. The pool is still there, but I'm not sure it is still a Turkish bath rather than an entertainment pool.
A Jewish Bakery
The area back here is the old Jewish quarters. There are a lot of Jewish and Middle Eastern stores and shops here, and a favorite place to walk and browse. Here is a neat little Jewish Patissier, they sell baked goods including bread and pastry. Very very good stuff. I'm not convinced about the spelling of the last name; but I say it is Finkelstein....they answer!
Nice stuff...
Near a church in the area is a little garden, with a wishing well and steps to a little upper level. Nothing special other than they were really picturewque. Hope you like them.
Gare Lyon
What a pretty train station. Just thought you would like it....
An Old Factory
As you walk along the streets of Paris, you have to look into the big doors along the way. Here, we see what was an old factory that has now been remodeled into offices. But the old stack is still in the back. Nice... and there is lots like this.
Is that wall crooked?
Actually you see it often, walls that are leaning or crooked. I believe they are either built that way or are now shored up to ensure their safty; but who knows. On this one, look on the right, up the stairs. That wass is definitely leaning....
Shakespear & Co.
This is a very famous old bookstore run by the daughter of the founder. Aspiring writers can sleep in the store for free if they work a few hours cleaning up or stocking shelves. Hundreds of people are there all the time. Its a really really fun place and you meet a lot of interesting people there. Best of all, many speak English as well as you do!
Bocci Ball
I have no idea why, but if you go by an area with an open space, there's a reasonable chance you will find some men playing bocci ball. Interesting; I wonder why bocci ball?
Chateau des Brouillards
Now private, this used to be the home of Renoir, the famous painter. It was sole for Euro 5MM, which seems to me to be a small price considering what you would pay for one of his paintings these day. Nice place.
Maison Rose
A small, cure and quaint cofe / restaurant for you to enjoy. Very famous by the way....
Le Dome
If Maison Rose is a little down market for you, try Le Dome. Bigger, not sure it's better. More expensive. And very famous.
La Coupole
OK, Le Dome still not up market enough, how about La Coupole. Yes, very famous...
Notre-Dame-des-Champs
Everywhere you go, you will see a church. And while there are smaller ones, most are huge and beautiful. Here is one that I like a lot.
Helena Rubinstein
Off course I know who she Is(was?) but I have no idea if she is still around. But this might have been one of her houses. It is now part of the Corporate empire; not sure if it is headquarters. Really nice place. And just a small sign on the gate.
Looking to Pont Marie
You can't wak far in Paris without running into the Seine. Here we are looking toward Pont Marie.
Hippodrome d'Auteuil
I didn't quite figure this place out. As its name suggests, this is the "horse" race course. But when we went there, for an Antique Show, there were two different races going on on two tracks in the same area. Very interesting. We didn't buy anything at the Antique show.
Old Houses
Not sure how old these are, but they are old, and often referred to as Alsac houses due to the timber/plaster method of construction. Kinda pretty aren't they.
Place Marceau
Yet another "place" in Paris. It's a nice place, and has the requisite coffee houses, etc. What I didn't like about this place was the lack of trees. Most places have lots of trees, which makes it nicer.
A Midieval Building
Just wandered upon it. A really neat building. I'm not sure why I like these so much, but I do. Thought you would too...
Interesting Architecture
This house was very interesting. Kinda unique....
The flying buttresses of Saint-Pierre
All the big churches have them. They are interesting. Here the flying buttresses of Saint-Pierre.
Yet another nice building
I don't remember what this building was, but it was nice, so I took a picture. Can anyone not like this building? And note the ironwork...this is an iron workers dream place.
Poissonniere
Ii means a place that sells fish. I'm not sure why everything is so specialized here, but it seems shops specialize. There are a lot of poissonnieres around, this one was just more picturesque. Oh yeah, the sole was great!
