Cafe and croissant for petit dejeuner across the road from the apartment in rue de Birague. Monsieur le dressing-gown was again surveying the scene from his window!
The brown wooden doors you see under the "Tera Bora" awning are the entrance to our apartment.
Strolled the streets of the 4th arrondissement, then along Boulevard Haussmann in the 2nd. We were heading to Parc Monceau, Musee Jacquemart Andre and then back along Champs Elysees.
Parc Monceau is gloriously green and lush. It has a really interesting history, including that it was the site of the first silk parachute jump in 1797 and it was painted in 1876 in a series by Claude Monet. Half of the original parc was sold for construction of new houses in 1860 and today six of these incredibly beautiful homes still have 24 hour access to the parc, which is otherwise closed to the public from sunset, making it what's called a semi-private parc. The parc is kept secure by a 5th generation parc watchman who lives in a colonnaded rotunda at one of the parc entrances.
We saw oodles of primary school children having their sport lessons in the parc and the paths were being pounded by groups of lunchtime joggers.
Headed down to Musee Jacquemart Andre, a beautiful once-private mansion that belonged to Edouard Andre and Nelie Jacquemart which houses their collection of art donated to the Institut de France. Fragonard, Rembrandt, Botticelli and others - exquisite. And the house - wow - the most incredible staircase ever, and how practical, Madame's chambers and study were separated from Monsieur's by an ante-chamber where they would meet for breakfast and discussions about their collection and travels. Ooooh, what a life!
After a rest for weary legs it was on to Champs Elysees for lunch and then back to the apartment. Champs Elysees is probably my least favourite place in Paris for crowds and noise, although I love the Arc at one end, the Tuileries at the other, the surrounding gardens and buildings such as the Petit Palais. We were there to visit the Peugeot store for Brent's dad who collects all things Peugeot and has a birthday approaching. Found just what we wanted!
The outdoor seating areas along the Champs Elysees are crowded not only with tourists, but visiting pigeons too! While we were eating lunch a flock of pigeons took off and one left his mark on Brent's shirt (the new shirt from Colette!!). I told him he should have shared his baguette!
3 comments:
How exciting, how glorious, how wonderful - you are there!! And we are travelling with you through your journal entries. As I read and look at your pictures it is impossible to wipe the smile from my face. Oh I so want to come with you next year.
How wonderful, we are starting our wader around Paris with you. Pity about the shirt, Brent. Parc Monceau, interesting area, and what fortunate school children. Love the 'photos. L&G
We saw the brown wooden doors under the 'Tera Bora' sign that lead to your apartment. We also couldn't help notice all of your clothes lined up on the racks on le pavement. How small is your apartment?
Hoping on an update on the old man looking anxiously out the window in his dressing gown. Hoping to see a photo of an equally old woman hurrying along the footpath in her negligee. Ahh Paree, the city of loooove.
Just got back from a weekend at Dromana and was excited to see all of your photos. Glad to see the train ticket response was sorted early. Lucky you have some French or you may have got 2 one way tickets to Frankston. Le Nightmare!
Imagine going all of the way to Paris when you could have gone to Kangaroo Island with Ruby and Paul where they went sightseeing at Cape De Couedic, Ravine Des Casoars and Maupertuis Bay. you would have had to forego the Mont Blanc and any hint of reasonable coffee. "Wus that a cuppa-chino in a giant cup yoose wanted?" Love Fi, Paul and Ruby
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