surviving the Paris heat wave

Today is a taking it easy kind of day in Paris...sleeping in, lounging around, no rush to do anything. After 8 non-stop days it's time to sloooow down. And besides yesterday just about killed us! But I'll get to that shortly...

On Sunday we spent most of the day on the Ile de la Cité. We began with Sainte-Chapelle and it's gorgeous stained glass, then on to  La Conciergerie  where Marie Antoinette spent her final days awaiting the guillotine, we then wandered through the sunday bird market and oohed and aahed at all of the birds, rabbits, chickens and so on. After that we were off to  Notre Dame Catherdral and then over to the Île Saint-Louis for some shopping, wandering and the absolute best sorbet ever! Ever. We ended the day by taking a leisurely ride along the Seine on the Batobus.

Sainte-Chapelle.

 La Conciergerie.

Notre Dame.

People watching...one of my favorite things to do!

Along the banks of the Seine.

On the Île Saint-Louis.

From the Pont Alexandre III.

The Arc de Triomphe as seen from crossing the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Place de la Concorde. Such a beautiful spot but this is where thousands of people were beheaded during the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution, including Marie Antoinette.

Yesterday we visited Monet's home in Giverny. It may quite possibly have been one of the most exhausting travel days that I have ever had. We had decided that rather than take a bus from Vernon (where the train lets you off) to Giverny we would rent bikes and amble along on the 20 minute trail through the countryside. sounds pleasant, right? I think under normal circumstances it would  be wonderful but yesterday it turned out to be 98degrees. Hot! And I hate the heat! Have you ever been so hot that you begin to get chills and goosebumps? Ugh. Jenn and Madison seemed to handle it better than I did but it wiped us all out. To the point where we have done nothing today but laze around the apartment, lol!

But anyway, the gardens were gorgeous, lunch in Giverny was very nice all in spite of the heat. And tomorrow the weather breaks and it is back to temps in the 70s again - woo hoo!!!

The adorable village of Giverny.

Monet's house and gardens...

Tomorrow we are headed to the little town of Chantilly to explore the chateau and gardens and to sample some Chantilly cream. Should be fun! Now, it's back to relaxing and maybe a little bit of neighborhood walking and then  an easy night in with a 4 fromage pizza from the place around the corner. And if we're lucky and the little pâtisserie down the street is still open we'll get a few meringues as well. Mmm. What a life!



making up for lost time

So, Thursday we went to Versailles, Friday we explored more of Montmartre and today we went to a flea market, wandered around the left bank and ended up smack dab in the middle of a gay pride parade. It's been a busy, fun, crazy, interesting couple of days! We have run the gamut from visiting parks and churches, and hearing choirs sing to seeing transvestites and um, adult shops. Never a dull moment.

Versailles was crazy crowded and the two metros and the RER (train) to get there were standing room only but it was a trip well worth it. We all agreed that the chateau itself is the least of the attractions. It's Marie Antoinette's estate and little farm that make it so enjoyable.

Yesterday we stayed in our neighborhood, Montmartre. We ambled down the hill to Pigalle and checked out the Moulin Rouge. You have to pass through a huge dose of adult entertainment to get there...it was quite a scene! Poor Madison...she took it all in stride though. After that little escapade we climbed the hill back up and around and wandered aimlessly.

Todays adventures took us, among other places, through the Jardin du Luxembourg, out into a gay pride parade (the absolute best people watching) and then down along the left bank...

Time for bed...it's almost one AM here in Paris and even though the nightlife is still going strong below my window I am pooped. Alot more exploring still to do tomorrow...