Welcome back to Paris
Paris 2023 day one
03.09.2023 - 03.09.2023
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Paris 2023
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On the Rue de Seine
Off to Paris for our anniversary again, and in a September heatwave! We travelled by Eurostar as usual, but this time, we’d chosen to rent an apartment rather than stay in a hotel. It was tiny, and was to prove less than perfect, with a very stuffy mezzanine bedroom and no possibility of opening the windows!
This was as far as the window would open
Another view of the cramped sleeping area
But one thing the apartment certainly had going for it was location, right on the Rue de Seine near Saint-Germain-des-Prés, our favourite part of the city. Once we’d settled in and unpacked we made a beeline for the river where we hoped to pick up a cooling breeze. Our walk took us along the Rue de Seine, past its many fascinating galleries, most showcasing either African and Australian Aboriginal art, or contemporary artists.
Gallery on the Rue de Seine
It was certainly a bit more comfortable down by the river, and lots of other people obviously felt it too. The quais were lined with sunworshippers as well as others taking advantage of patches of shade provided by bridges and trees. It was a great area for some street photography.
By the Seine
Bouquinistes and Pont Neuf, and the statue of Henri IV on the latter
We followed the Quai to the Pont Neuf and on to the Ile de la Cité. In our favourite Place Dauphine we had a rather messy fast-melting ice cream!
In the Place Dauphine
We then walked through the flower market which was relatively cool and shady. The Wallace Fountain there was in great demand, as they were all over Paris during our stay.
In the flower market
We stopped to check progress on Notre Dame, as we’ve done on every visit since the fire. They are making good progress, as the Friends of Notre Dame website reports: https://www.friendsofnotredamedeparis.org/reconstruction-progress/
Notre Dame from the Left Bank
Then we crossed back on to the Left Bank for more photos on the streets around the Place Saint Michel and a much-needed beer stop!
Near the Square René Viviani
Near the Square René Viviani, and outside Shakespeare and Co
On the Rue de la Huchette
Protest in the Place Saint-Michel
In the Place Saint-Michel
In the evening we went to mass at Saint-Germain-des-Prés and then had dinner at the busy Mabillon brasserie where we’d had breakfast in previous years. The food was nothing special but OK. And the friendly service, good wine and great people watching spot meant we were happy with our choice.
Posted by ToonSarah 16:04 Archived in France Tagged paris river cathedral street_photography Comments (11)
