A day out in Paris

 Wow, just wow! I hear all sorts of things about Paris, mostly not very complimentary, but every time I go there it fills me with joy and delight. Even that time when I got soaked and it was unexpectedly chilly. Or that time I was jammed up against a fence, front row standing, watching the Tour de France riders race past after joining the Tour for a while as it wended its way through the most beautiful countryside. Or the time I got hangry in La Louvre and made my travel companion leave so I could find a baguette and some cheese, about all our budget ran to that trip! Or sitting in the Tuileries watching the world go by after an amazing trip to Musee de O'rsay. Or this trip wandering around the 3rd Arrondissement with my lovely Gold Coast friend Nicole and her daughter.

The arrondissement, called Temple is situated on the right bank of the River Seine. The arrondissement contains the northern, quieter part of the medieval district of Le Marais and is one of the oldest parts of Paris with none of the large boulevards created after the French Revolution. The oldest surviving private house of Paris, built in 1407, is to be found in the 3rd arrondissement, 52 rue de Montmorency. 

The ancient Jewish quarter, the Pletzl which dates from the 13th century, begins in the eastern part of the 3rd arrondissement and extends into the 4th. It is home to the Agoudas Hakehilos synagogue designed by the architect Guimard. Although trendy boutiques are now taking up many of the storefronts, there are still landmark stores selling traditional Jewish foods. And this is where we started our walking, eating and exploring tour. 

First step, find Nicole and Liv. Easier said than done, the detail I didn't take care of was the finer detail of where exactly they were! The train from Lille and negotiating the underground went well. Wandering, asking people, back on the underground, begging for wifi from a café. Resourceful. Not helpful with no internet. Manage to find them I did, at their closest underground station so we wended our way to the 3rd after much laughter and catching up. 

I initially though the tour was a little on the pricey side, an opinion I changed as we wandered, explored the history of this place and enjoyed the varied cuisine. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining and he took us places we'd never find by ourselves. It was also lovely to talk with folks from all over the world as we wandered. I highly recommend this one, we booked through Get Your Guide here. My favourites were the chocolates and the food in the market. And of course the wine tasting at the end. 

Post tour we wandered to Place de Luxembourg, enjoying a much needed gelato while watching the people go by and the small radio controlled yachts on the pond. A beautiful spot on an increasingly hot day. My companions, one new to Paris, enjoyed spotting the Emily in Paris places as we talked about how amazing the long twilights are at this latitude. You see on the GC, being semi tropical, the door slams shut on the day. Instant night quickly and quite early especially through the winter months. In Paris we were still sunning ourselves near La Louvre at a time when it would be dark on the GC. 

The girls headed off to continue their on-off bus adventures and an evening Seine cruise while I retraced my steps to Gar du Nord. Not too hard really. It was an adventure when I got there, foot sore and needing a sit down with a cold one. Not to be, it was madness! A long wait in a hot station heaving with people and nowhere to sit. Oh well Lille wasn't too far off when I got there. Back to Ypres and a nice cold Kriek was the order of the day. 

Nicole and Liv have a few more days in Paris then head south to Carcassonne and surrounds. They head off to Lake Como and Italy after that, they even get to visit Switzerland a place I've not been as yet. I love Carcassonne, one of the rare places in the world I have a hospital story. A me in the hospital story not me taking someone else! Seems marble staircases are not to be negotiated in socks, even before having a vino. Down I went in a heap with a torn off thumb nail and dented arm bone, all the while trying to convince our hosts I hadn't been drinking. Luckily the lovely French doc and his nurses were more sympathetic to this injured kiwi and much kinder than my family. An Xray and a few sacre blus later I was in a sling, and sent on my way. Seems I have very tough bones, ones that dent not break. Thankfully. 

Not sure when I'll get back to Paris. I'm on a long term promise with miss 12 to take her to Paris. It's been a dream of hers for a while, not quite sure why except knowing it's dangerous talking travel with me without having itchy feet. I have promised and I'd love to share this city with my grandies. Let's hope I get to soon, suspect I'll be back again before then. I'll keep you posted.

Cheese - lots of yummy cheese

Look what's behind me

Gelato in the sun