My favourite area to roam in Paris! Nice boulevards and neat little back streets, good food and interesting shops.  RE: The Group Manoeuvre – (I am not used to travelling with so many people!) I miss just wandering around indiscriminately and getting lost but you have to be more conscientious about your routes when you’re in a group. One of my companions likes to know where they are and where they are going at all times, some (poor things!) have sore feet and my mom is a slow walker. We are all compromising to a degree, but for the most part, enjoying ourselves.

Gabriella was interested in checking out Shakespeare and Co. It’s really a captivating place! The Topless store sells “les macarons”.

I think I enjoyed the Cluny Museum more than my fellow travellers.

We eventually made it to Luxembourg Garden and we got to sit and draw a bit. The Medici Fountain is pretty popular….for good reason. I wish we had one in Victoria, so we could be all, “I’ll meet you at the Medici Fountain!” and have such a beauty spot to sit and wait for someone.

We spent most of the day hanging around the Eiffel Tower neighbourhood, which is an obvious security hotspot. We were a few blocks away on Rue Le Cler (a foodie street) and entrance to the street required opening our bags and purses for police security posted on the corner. The place had a weird, on-alert vibe and we couldn’t really get comfortable.

My niece, Gabriella learned about a building that she wanted to see, so that got us wandering around and finding these beautiful facades which for me was the best part of the day!

As for going up the Eiffel Tower. Bleh. On the ground it felt like a run down amusement park. The views were ok, but I think Paris is 100 percent more interesting and beautiful at street level.

One of the few remaining medieval buildings in the Marais Neighbourhood

Amazing ironwork on a secret street

Architecture around the Eiffel Tower

This is as close as I ever need to get again

It was another damp, chilly day. We headed out for coffee and croissants first thing, (first of many!) and then roamed through the Marais District, poking into interesting shops. I had read about the redevelopment of the Les Halles ( which was a fairly uninviting area in 2010, my first visit) and I think this is a huge improvement. It creates a good space and though modern, is warm. The design for the garden looks promising. It’s a mess of construction right now.

These are called “pralulines” and we may want to eat one every day.

St. Eustace

Everyone agrees that this was the highlight of the day. I can’t do justice to the glass with a photo…but the truth is, I was more caught up in the architecture, which understandably gets less attention. The pattern and gold leaf finishes are beautiful!

The bird and flower market. Not sure if these birds are happy or know any better.

Louvre tomorrow! Gabriella is up late studying to prepare.

We spent a good part of the day stumbling around in a jet-lagged state. The flight felt quick, we breezed through French customs and got to our apartment in the Place des Vosges around noon. After stocking up on groceries, we napped a bit and then dragged ourselves out to Notre Dame.

It’s been pretty cool and gloomy here today. We were all chilled after our walk about but still went for ice cream at Amorino’s. (tourists!) And though we are stupidly tired, we were sitting up around the table at 9:30 pm. Looking forward to sleeping well!