Paris 2nd June - 5th

We met in Paris after my 23hr flight from NZ and Jeff in from Kathmandu at 7pm Monday. There is a Cafe/Bar at the bottom of the street in an area called Belleville where we have the same apartment as last year. Was a relief to see each other given the logistics. Nice to be in a familiar area again with all the idiosyncrasies of French living.

Next day a long walk required so set off to walk down to the Seine River.

There is always plenty to see with tourist boat traffic and sellers of art and books along the river. Were very happy just to sit in the sun on benches and let it swirl around us.  Always amazed how much the French can talk rapidly including hand gestures, we are positively mute by comparison.

Delighted to come across the Belleville market on the way down the hill. Must be at least a mile long with an abundance of fruit, vegetables, fish and meat. Some household items think mini hardware store - need a plug?

Did not fancy the sheeps head.

Headed up to Montmarte as there was an art installation to be seen, a man walking through a wall.

All the time passing classic Parisian actvities and sights which helped brain fog from long flights to be pushed into the background.

These were shop assistants enjoying the sun in front of their shop, not much in the way of haute couture sales today.

Graffiti everywhere in Paris, some better than others but not on the scale we saw in Spain last year.

Next day, after a good nights sleep, set forth on our "lets look for this". Metro is €2.50 and one can get a reasonable distance on that as long as you do not exit just keep changing metro lines.

This is the Tuileries gardens between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. This installation reminded us of something we saw at the Guggenheim museum in Bilboa, Spain. What is it doing in the middle of gardens created in the 1600's?

This is by the Petit Palace, size and weight not an issue.

La Samaritaine was an old department store built 1870 that someone had done a number on, not a hint of history left, all glass and steel, very high end. Crossed the Alexandre 111 bridge with its cast iron lamps and come across two New Zealanders bike packing their way through various areas of France. They were staying in what is known as Formule One accommodation. For €50 per night at 9sqm ( tiny) they and their bikes stay in. Have to admire their budgeting efforts. The joke was the chap had exactly the same NZ made cycle jackets as us, Ground Effect, hence us spotting them.

Advertisement for Ground Effect jackets.

Walked on to what is known as the Passage Panoramas, oldest covered passageway in Paris from 1799. Astounding array of artisan and unusual shops. Lots of dining also. Came across a walking stick shop with every conceivable stick type. The owner was reducing the height of one for a chap. 

Had thought about going to the Bouillon for lunch (classic French workingman's lunch at good price) but eating a baguette sandwich sitting on a bench people watching was the mood.

The Musee Carnavalet is of Paris history contained in two adjoining properties , the Hotel Carnavalet and Hotel le Peletier de Saint Fargeau. Cleverly done with from 11th century in the cellar then climbed upstairs through following centuries. Well worth a visit.

Final day in Paris we thought another visit to Versailles a worthy endeavour. We had previously visited the gardens but as the entry queue to the palace was 1 1/2 hours long did not get into the palace. This time we booked a 1pm slot for the palace. The enormity of palace and gardens are impressive to say the least. Louis X1V had a grand vision and over his 70+ year reign, other than continually fight wars, he created a statement as to the beauty and superiority of France.

Staggering opulence any wonder the populous revolted in 1789.

The gardens are dotted with gilded fountains on ponds and the lakes.

Recognise these two colonialists? We are in front of the orangey where large shrubs/ trees are grown in wooden crates and moved about as necessary for occassions and to winter over under cover. A fitting end to our stay in Paris.