June 13th Paris

 Today is sort of a work day. Wake up early in the Chateau, pack, load the car and drive to Paris. The hotel we are staying at opens reception at 9:00 am and we need to leave our bags there before we turn in the rental car and then meet Jessica at the Gare de Lyon train station and lunch. 

Since it is a Saturday, traffic is light and we arrive an hour before reception opens. But luckily other places are open. And crazy as it seems, so is the local market that is in the area on Thursday and Saturday. The same one we first saw on our first trip to Paris in 1988. We love this area of Paris. 

And from our street you can see the new spire on Notre Dame Cathedral. 

As well as markings for the Camino. 

We meet Jessica, store her luggage, and head across the street from the station for lunch. But first some photos outside the station. Very typical of Paris  low buildings and bicycles  

The great thing about Paris cafes is eating outside and not being hurried. I believe we spend 2 1/2 hours drinking, eating and talking. 

Our table outside with drinks first.

Time for lunch and I had escargot. Revenge on the snails that escaped in Vizille. 

Mary Ann and Jessica had steak. 

When we were in Vizille, Marco made some great salads using greens not available in the USA. So he got Mary Ann seeds of them for her upcoming birthday. That lets me off the hook. 

Jessica helps us remember how to use the Paris Metro, we get passes and we head back to the hotel and Jessica to the airport and New Jersey. 

I wish Paris subways were as clean as New York’s.

We get out at Paris’ City Hall which is a short walk to our hotel. But a lot can happen and be seen on a short walk in Paris. 

Paris’ Hotel d’ Ville or City Hall.

A better view. 

Stalls along the Seine. They sell all kinds of stuff. 

Not sure what the big white things are in the background. 

Another cafe to rest at. 

The restored Notre Dame

The Shakespeare Bookstore # 2

Notre Dame again

Inside the walkup to our room. 36 steps to our room  

The reception and hotel bar. But it closes at 6:00 pm. 

I worked on the Blog in the bar while Mary Ann slept. Later we went out to eat. Wound up in the first neighborhood we stayed in, in 1988. Things change.

Our present hotel.

Street near us.

Nice church

The Pantheon just up the street.

The street where our first hotel is in 1988. Now a 4 star and unaffordable by us. 

Mary Ann’s tuna. 

I had bone marrow again. It was C’est si bone!  Better in Bordeaux. 

Dessert along the river Seine  as the sun sets by Notre Dame Cathedral. 

Not Notre Dame but nice sunset picture. 

Have to get better at taking selfies. 

Goodnight.