LEFT BANK WALK

We didn't get enough of the left bank yesterday so we decided to visit it again.  We took the metro to the St. Michel stop and walked up the Quai Montebello to Shakespeaer's Book store.  This is where at ex patriot writers in the 20's hung out.  Hemingway, F.Scott Fitzgerald and other famous literati.  It is small and crowded but fascinating especially upstairs.  There are several rooms where struggling writers of this era can go to write and possibly catch a nap.    
After leaving the bookstore we took a leisure stroll up Boulevard St. Germaine .to have lunch at Cafe Flores. After our typical 2 hour lunch we walked to the Louvre and spent the rest of the day there. left the Louvre about 6:00 and went to the markets on rue Montorgueil.  I bought 2 baguettes and a bottle of wine.  Sara and Kim got cheese and grapes and we had dinner in that night, and what a fine dinner it was.

 Everybody in front of the bookstore

 Kayleigh and Kylie:  Bookstore in the background

 Vegetable Quiche

 The girls walking down by the Seine

The girls walking down by the Seine.

 At the Lock (Love) Bridge.

 Senic view across the Seine

 View of the Il de Cite

 Venus de Milo

Kim and Kylie next to the Louvre Pyramid at dusk.

NOTRE DAME LEFT BANK

Today was cloudy and rainy in the morning.  took the 4 train to Ile de Cite for our first stop which was Notre 

Dame.  Walked around for an hour or two.  (this church never gets old to me).  Visited the treasury in the church this time.  It was worth the 4 euros admission.  Has stain glass windows and church treasures such as chalices, and vestments etc.  after exiting the church we went to the Paris Archaeological Crypt.  It's historical ruins of early Paris.  We then walked behind the cathedral and over to Ile de Saint -Louis where we had lunch at La Brasserie de l'Isle Saint-Louis.  I've eaten there before and the food is excellent.

After lunch we walked along the left bank down to Place St. Michel  and back to the apartment.  

We had a wine tasting at O'Chateau at 5:00.  We learned about wines from all regions of France.  We tasted 1 champagne, 2 whites and 3 reds.  Remi was our sommelier and he did a great job.  It was a fun evening.  Kayleigh and Kylie would take a sip of their tasting and give the rest to me.  It was a fun evening!!!!

 Kayleigh and Kylie in front of Notre Dame.

 Stain glass inside

 Main Altar

 Plat du jour on thisTuesday.

 The gang.  Taken by Juan our waiter.  He flirted with all four of the girls.

 Kayleigh and Kylie behind Notre Dame

 Place St. Michel

 Pont Neuf

 Kayleigh and Kylie in the park behind St. Eustache church.

Sara behind St. Eustache

TWINKLING EIFFLE TOWER

THE EIFFLE TOWER

We took the #69 bus from rue de Rivoli to the Eiffle Tower.  Got there around 6:00pm walked around just admiring it.  I think they have painted brown since the last time I've seen it.  We went to where the Seine river cruises are and choose Bateau Parisienne.  It is an hour cruise down the river to the Ile de Cite, around the Isle and back to the Eiffle Tower.  It's a very good introduction to Paris.  When we got bacl to the tower it was lit.

 Pont Neuf Bridge.

 The back of Notre Dame

 No explanation needed.

 Twinkle Twinkle Eiffle Tower.

Taken on the Bridge.

THE ORANGERIE

After lunch we walked down to thru the Tuileries to the Orangerie.  We checked out Monet's Water Lilies and works by Picasso, Cezanne and a exhibition of Spanish artists.

         Wood sculpture in the Tuilerie Gardens.

 Kayleigh and Kylie with Monet's Water Lilies.

 Kayleigh and Kylie with Monet's Water Lilies.

 Sara joined them.

Sculpture near an exit of the gardens by rue de Rivoli.  We walked thet way to catch the 69 bus to the Eiffle Tower.

LUNCH AT BISTROT VIVIENNE

I know that Paris is known for its delicious food. This lunch was extraordinaire.  After the opera we

 were headed to the Orangerie to see Monet's  work.  We stopped at Bistrot Vivienne for lunch .  What a find.  Our waiter was Anthony.  He was very good, very efficient, spoke English, and humored us as we spoke our French.  The address for Bistrot Vivienne is

4 Rue des Petits Champs 

Paris 2eme.

tel: 01 49 27 00 50

  Artichoke Ravioli in an artichoke sauce.  Absolutely delicious.  I think the sauce was heavily flavored with butter. There is a saying le buerre, le buerre et le plus buerre.  Th butter, the butter and more butter.

Dessert was  Mousse de chocolat noir avec caramel sauce.  Dark chocolate mousse with a caramel sauce.
Need I say more.
Fantastic lunch and I highly recommend Bistrot Vivienne and Anthony as a server.

PARIS OPERA, EIFFLE TOWER AND SEINE BOAT CRUISE

Walked from the apartment up to the Paris Opera House.  On the way,we discovered  Passage Vivienne.  As we walked through I got turned around and our walk to the opera was a little longer than expected but we saw things that I hadn't  seen before.  It was an adventure.  We finally arrived and toured the opera.

                                          The gang on front of the opera.

                                          Kayleigh and Kylie on the stairs.

                                           Photo op

            Ceiling of the auditorium of the opera by Chagal.

             The seating area of the auditorium.  There are 1,900 red velvet seats.                   

                                         Ceiling of the foyer.

                                              Sara and Kayleigh in the foyer.

                          The gang on the balcony looking toward the Louvre.

PARIS IN OCTOBER

Walked from the apartment to the Arc de Triomphe.  Had lunch/dinner at George V.  Took the metro back and fell into bed exhausted.  Looking forward to tomorrow.

In the Tuileries Park

                                          Kayleigh and Kylie at Place de la Concorde.  Eiffle tower
                                          in the background.




                                       

                                           Kylie and Kayleigh at Place de la Concorde

                                          Kim and Kylie