Paris Day 6 (21 July)
Visited the "Bossy Cat" for dinner last night. Very much a local restaurant. The owner/manager now recognises us. Simple food done well. Roast chicken and simple beef burger with a 2016 Chenas beaujolais. Food was very nice as was the wine. Very enjoyable people watching spot too.
Much walking today. Headed off down Rue de Rivoli to the 1st arrondisement and visited the shops underneath the Louvre. Shops not that exciting - pretty touristy but did get a touch of history as you can see the foundations from the 16th century wall that formed part of the fort originally where the Louvre now is. The fort dates back to my newly discovered French King, Philippe Auguste. Then wandered across to the Palais - Royal, originally called the Palais - Cardinal (former residence of Cardinal Richelieu of 3 Musketeers fame). Gardens very pretty.
Kept going to the 4th arrondisement - the Marais and visited newly renovated Les Halles. Used to be pretty grotty but now a very light and nicely set out shopping centre. Thought it was a bit like a giant Westfield so wouldn't rush back. Much nicer places to walk in Paris. As it is Sunday and very sunny, lots of people everywhere. After a walk through the Marais we stopped for a cold beer and pizza. Also found a chocolate shop that we had discovered previously in Lyon - Le Comptoir de Mathilde. Stephen took up a pair of tongs and set to placing some carefully chosen chocolate squares in a bag.
A number of streets were closed to cars with police patrolling around. Given the number of people and narrow streets, this was a good thing. We managed to find the 'hidden' village of Saint Paul twice today - there and back. The place is certainly quite determined to be found by us. Walked all the way back to the 11th and hotel.
Still getting dire warnings of very high temperatures. Today was high 20's. Not too bad especially if you go out earlier in the mornings. Mid to late afternoon seems the hottest time of day. That's when we hide out in hotel room with air con. It works.
An observation - the space invader graffiti is in lots of arrondisements, not just the 11th. In fact there is a fair amount of street art.
Another observation - dinner at what was a very popular restaurant called East Mama. Eattaly - large italian restaurant/delicatessan first in New York has arrived in the Marais. Lots of pizza places. I think Italian restaurants are very popular at the moment. East Mama was packed. We hadn't booked so had to perch at the bar which was good fun as the cocktail waiters were 'performing' in front of us. Thought we were going to wear some drinks a few times as the very cool looking waiters threw the cocktail shakers around. Getting the impression that the 11th arrondisement is a bit of a 'hipster' area. Reminds me a bit of a Newtown in Sydney. East Mama looked to be making most of its money from an endless stream of cocktails. Food was good - we both had a saltimbocca which was nicely cooked. Pretty plain - served with just roasted potatoes and bread. Actually rather nice eating something without a reasonable amount of butter and cheese.
Much walking today. Headed off down Rue de Rivoli to the 1st arrondisement and visited the shops underneath the Louvre. Shops not that exciting - pretty touristy but did get a touch of history as you can see the foundations from the 16th century wall that formed part of the fort originally where the Louvre now is. The fort dates back to my newly discovered French King, Philippe Auguste. Then wandered across to the Palais - Royal, originally called the Palais - Cardinal (former residence of Cardinal Richelieu of 3 Musketeers fame). Gardens very pretty.
Kept going to the 4th arrondisement - the Marais and visited newly renovated Les Halles. Used to be pretty grotty but now a very light and nicely set out shopping centre. Thought it was a bit like a giant Westfield so wouldn't rush back. Much nicer places to walk in Paris. As it is Sunday and very sunny, lots of people everywhere. After a walk through the Marais we stopped for a cold beer and pizza. Also found a chocolate shop that we had discovered previously in Lyon - Le Comptoir de Mathilde. Stephen took up a pair of tongs and set to placing some carefully chosen chocolate squares in a bag.
A number of streets were closed to cars with police patrolling around. Given the number of people and narrow streets, this was a good thing. We managed to find the 'hidden' village of Saint Paul twice today - there and back. The place is certainly quite determined to be found by us. Walked all the way back to the 11th and hotel.
Still getting dire warnings of very high temperatures. Today was high 20's. Not too bad especially if you go out earlier in the mornings. Mid to late afternoon seems the hottest time of day. That's when we hide out in hotel room with air con. It works.
An observation - the space invader graffiti is in lots of arrondisements, not just the 11th. In fact there is a fair amount of street art.
Another observation - dinner at what was a very popular restaurant called East Mama. Eattaly - large italian restaurant/delicatessan first in New York has arrived in the Marais. Lots of pizza places. I think Italian restaurants are very popular at the moment. East Mama was packed. We hadn't booked so had to perch at the bar which was good fun as the cocktail waiters were 'performing' in front of us. Thought we were going to wear some drinks a few times as the very cool looking waiters threw the cocktail shakers around. Getting the impression that the 11th arrondisement is a bit of a 'hipster' area. Reminds me a bit of a Newtown in Sydney. East Mama looked to be making most of its money from an endless stream of cocktails. Food was good - we both had a saltimbocca which was nicely cooked. Pretty plain - served with just roasted potatoes and bread. Actually rather nice eating something without a reasonable amount of butter and cheese.
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