Exploring the Left Bank Tuesday we set off to wander the left bank & find a few places we had missed on previous visits. Our first stop was Saint Germaine des Pres district. This area is lined with wide boulevards, upscale art galleries, famous cafés, designer boutiques, restaurants, and a fine selection of museums. We spotted the famous Cafe de Flore & decided to return after our walk for their famous hot chocolate. Our next stop was Luxembourg gar...

Bastille Market Day Sunday We decided to check out a Paris market & the Bastille market was the closest. This market sells everything from kitchenware, clothing, toys, fabrics, leather goods but I was interested in the produce and was not disappointed by the range & quality of fruit, vegetables, herbs, oils, spices, fish, meats, fresh & cured, all manner of cheeses, fresh pasta, cakes as well as freshly cooked meals. We couldn't resist the crepes for ...

Champs Elise, Chateau Vincennes and La Defence. Thursday we had an easy day, walked to the Champs Élysées up to the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. The streets were full of tourists doing the...

Wednesday. Off to the Montmarte area of Paris today to view the Sacre Coeur Basilica which was built between 1875 and 1914. The Basilica was built in part to unite the people of Paris after violent uprisings in the community in the 1870s and funded by public donations with shortfalls provided for by the government. The site of the basilica is the highest point in Paris so it can be seen from all over the city in its gleaming white colour due to its being built i...

Tuesday is a much cooler day, a welcome change after so many days near or over 30C. We decided to spend the day just wandering around & exploring. We first walked up to the Bastille monument. All that remains are some stone foundations and in it's place is the Colonne de Juillet, a monumental column commemorating the Revolution of 1830. We then headed to a lovely park, Gaylene & John recommended, the Place des Vosges, in Le Marais district. The park was ...