So we continue observing all things domestic in a working class Parisian neighbourhood. Strategically placed recycle dumpsters negates single bins being a footpath hazard. Electricity is 70% French nuclear generated (Singapore is 95% gas imported from Malaysia). Paris water comes from aquifers throughout the country and the Seine River. Folks pay capital gains tax when they sell their house and must obtain an environment report for any prospective buyer. In NZ we of course expect any purchaser to do so. Every available space is used.
The huge park in the neighbourhood called Butte Chaumont had limestone outcrops and many paths that being a holiday were being hammered by local joggers.
The area has many food shops as although there is a supermarket, folks support the sole traders for fruit, bread, pastries, cheese and wine.
Finished walking the local area and in the afternoon made our way via metro to Mouffetard area known for markets of all things French food. A very old area with cobbled streets and interesting buildings.
Recommended by friends was the Chartier Bouillon restaurant famous for simple French food. Opened in 1896 serving people beef stews, it is now an institution due to the architecture of the building and the immense numbers of meals they serve per day. Our waiter told is 1,000 Mondays, Tuesdays then 1,500 to 2,000 Wednesdays, Thursdays and by the weekend 2,500 plus! Insane. The kitchen must be manic and imagine the dishes to wash!! The noise of the diners is terrific with dozens of waiters whizzing around. Entertaining to say the least. Jeff went for pork belly which consisted of a bowl of lentils with a pork sausage and a piece of pork perched on the lentils for 9euros and moi vegetarian spagetti for 8euros.
Today we headed for Jardin des Plantes by metro being one of the parks that host a "menagerie", paleontology museum etc.
Metro carriage with graffiti chooks painted.
Pantheon is a must visit. The scale is just astounding. Started in 1758 and completed in 1790 at the behest of King Louis 15th.
Being VE day yesterday the flags are honouring war heros including the French Resistance. 22 Resistance members were caught by the dreaded Vichy (then French Police) and handed over to the Nazis who of course summarily executed them.
Next stop was the Jardin de Luxembourg which is a 23ha parkland. Ascension day holiday so hundreds of folks spread about in the warm Spring sunshine relaxing with all manner of activities.
Another building of note is of course Notre Dame de Paris which suffered a fire in 2019. The president, Macron, assured the French people it will be open for the Olympics 2024. It is covered in kms of scaffolding, off limits with just a peek of the belltowers. We are not convinced it will be visible in two months.
We love some of the quirky things one sees as you wander about.
For 40yrs the home of a mathematician.
St Jacques Tower.
A very satisfactory few days in Paris, so interesting and so much fun.
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