This morning got up and packed and hit the train to Paris. Jerry took some photos of the trains before we left.
Took a taxi from Gare Montparsse to Don Drapeau's apartment on the other side of the river. Traffic was bad because turns out the Chinese President is here. Lots of streets blocked off, etc. but we made it.
Donald's apartment is in a quiet neighborhood in the 16th Arr. We have stayed here before, and we just love it! It really feels like home and it was fun to come back. Here are some pictures, for those of you who haven't seen previous ones.
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| living room |
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| kitchen - dishwasher, washing machine, 2 burners |
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| beautiful bathroom |
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| Bedroom with big window |
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| looking out the bedroom window to the living room window |
It is small by any standards, what the French call a "pied a terre" which is a working apartment for during the week, and then they might live outside the city with their family. It is perfect for us!!!!! And it is a "French" neighborhood, so there is a bakery, meat shop, fruit & veg. store, etc.
Our mission was to go out to find internet for the apartment since Donald no longer keeps one going. After a few tries and fails we found a company called SFR which had something called a "web trotter" which you plug in the wall and you get internet. Magic! So we are set up for blogging and trip advisor, which we cannot live without.
Next: Wine and a sandwich at a cafe.
Then to the stores...remember there are several....to get, pate, bread, wine, strawberries, and chocolate. Back to apartment for eat in dinner. Wow.
Thursday about noon, we took off from the apartment, walked 4 blocks and got onto the Metro headed for the Louvre. It is sort of a MUST see right away if you're in Paris, and although it was beastly crowded and we have been there 4 times before, it never disappoints.
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| The pyramid entrance |
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| Lines to get in can be avoided by buying tickets at the Tabac before you go in |
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Spring break....so lots of people
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We overheard an English tour guide say: "If you look at every thing in the Louvre for 2 seconds, it would take you 2 1/2 weeks to go through it". Needless to say, you cannot see everything, and almost everyone starts in the Denon wing which houses the crown jewels of the Louvre.
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| Mona |
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| You have to fight your way up to the front, but a Japanese woman took our picture |
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| wrestling match with Angels |
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| Napoleon in his famous pose |
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| Delacroix - Liberte |
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| Can't remember the name of this one but it is great |
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| Lady Venus d Milo |
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| Hermaphrodite |
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| Dying slave by Michelangelo |
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| Psyche and Cupid by Canova |
Then you just wander. The Louvre was a palace and the building itself is just beautiful. Of course one of the great things is you get to wander right up to the beautiful paintings and sculptures.
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| Raphel |
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| red haired woman |
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| ceilings are fabulous |
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| The three nymphs |
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| Even cuticles on the statues...how do they do that in marble? |
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| We saw this last year at the Uffitzi. |
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| Mercury |
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| Bernini |
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| so gorgeous! |
Ok. Enough of that. Tired, hot, exhausted and filled up with art, we came back to the neighborhood and had a pichet of wine (50 cl) and chips at the corner, then came home to rest.
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| Walk through the Tulleries |
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| Everyone is out enjoying the day |
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| The Arc du Triomphe....just up the street from our apartment |
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| The Chinese President is here, so the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. |
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| He was in the area so the Champs Elysee was closed for a few minutes |
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| Normally this could never happen with the 6 lanes of traffic |
About 9:00 we went out for dinner. We went to an old favorite around the corner, Belinis. Which is actually an Italian place. Hasn't changed a bit since 2005. I had Languostine Rissoto, and Jerry had the house special pasta that they prepare at the table. And Chianti Classico, of course, Italian wine.
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| M. Belini. n this huge wheel of Parmesan he pours lit Cognac to melt some of the cheese |
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| Then he adds the hot pasta and stirs it up |
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| Adds black pepper and Voila! |
It was a good meal. We finished with sorbet and Lemonchello. Fun night!
Friday we took a train out 50 miles to Chartes, France. Which only has one claim to fame that we know about....the famous Chartes Cathedral. Built in the early days, burned in 1157, rebuilt in Gothic times within 60 years (not 400 like so many) so the architecture is very cohesive. And it is gorgeous.
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| Jerry and the "guys" at the Brasserie we ate lunch at |
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| Chartes Cathedral |
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| So pretty |
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| The left spire was built in 1257, the right one survived the fire so it is much earlier |
I'm just going to show the pictures because it speaks for itself.
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| These are 12th century stain glass windows that were removed during the war and kept safe, then re-leaded and put back in |
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| There are 4 rose windows |
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| This is at the back of the church. If you could lay it down it would fit in ...... |
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this, which is called the labyrinth. It is a puzzle that people walk on to say prayers.
We of course, just walked over it because we are so stupid. |
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| The choir which looks like wood carving but it is stone |
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| Our lady of the Pillar |
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| each section tells a different Bible story |
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| Piece of Mary's veil |
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| Pillars are HUGE |
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| The blue Mary |
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| 18th century altar piece of the assumption |
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| Jerry lights another candle |
Really amazing. Went to catch the train back but had to wait a little.
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| Just enough time for a Kir |
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| This is for Doug and Sara.....Sauterne |
Had reservations at a new place in the neighborhood. La Gazette. Amazing service and food. Really nice food, the people were so nice to us. We would definitely eat there again.
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| Smoked salmon, lentils and a poached egg. Delish! Who dreams up this stuff? |
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| My plat was one of the specials, Pork with some amazing sauce, and great mashed potatoes. |
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| Roast chicken with a wine/mushroom sauce. Also Amazing |
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| Berry Sorbet/ coffee/ Port wine |
Such a fun night. We were right next to the kitchen window, so we could watch them cook. A well oiled machine for sure.
