We awoke to blue skies and warm sun again today. The perfect day to spend on Ile de la Cite with all the other tourists, and the pickpockets and beggars. Seriously, it was a gorgeous day, and after breakfast we walked down to the island where Paris began so many centuries ago. Our first stop was the conciergerie, home to kings as well as prison or holding cell for many waiting to be guillotined during the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette was probably the most famous prisoner. One can't view her prison cell any more because it was turned into a chapel, but there is a very good reproduction of it.
In one room of the conciergerie there is a list of all the people guillotined during that time; there was one "Melin" on the list. The list was interesting because it gave the names and in many cases, the occupations of the beheaded. Some on the list were "wife of" or "widow of" so I guess in that case you were damned by association. There was a comedian on the list; either his jokes weren't that funny or he was joking about the wrong people. Apparently anyone could make the list and lose their head if they associated with, talked about, supported or were married to the wrong people!
After the conciergerie we visited the Sainte Chappelle, which has to be the most beautiful chapel in the world. Of course the upper level, which has the unbelievable stained glass windows, was reserved for the king. The lower level was for the regular folks, and while it's pretty, it's not spectacular. It's hard to believe that during both World Wars, the stained glass was removed from the upper chapel, numbered and stored to be replaced after the war. Staggering to even think about the logistics of a project like that!
Next we walked to the Marche des Fleurs, the Flower Market. I believe this market goes on every day of the year, and they sell flowers, and trees, and vases and garden ornaments and tools, and much more. One day of the week, it becomes a bird market instead of flowers; I've never been to that but I'll bet it would be interesting, and noisy.
Before seeing Notre Dame we decided to get lunch. Of course there is no cafe in the whole area that isn't touristy, so we chose one a little bit off the beaten path, on a small side street. Called "Le Tango de Chat" or The Cat's Tango, the sign features dancing felines. That should have been our first clue that this place was a little wacky. Actually the food was just fine, but the service was what you would think of if Laurel and Hardy ran a cafe. We were seated outside, and a young man came out of the restaurant and gave us menus. We waited quite a while, and no one came to take our order. Then we saw this man walking toward the restaurant from about a half block away. When he got to our table he asked if we were ready to order. We gave him our order even though we didn't think he worked there; maybe they just called him in for the 3:00 rush? Well, he didn't communicate too well with the chef or the other waiter. They brought out a steak though Charlotte had ordered chicken, then tried to give it to Beth, as if saying, "Well, somebody has to eat this!" When it came time for dessert, both Charlotte and I had ordered chocolate mousse. They had run out of mousse and asked what we wanted in place of that. I ordered ice cream and Charlotte ordered apple tart. They brought the tart and asked what kind of ice cream I wanted. I ordered chocolate; they brought the ice cream and asked Charlotte what she wanted for dessert, even though she was just finishing her apple tart. Yikes!! Good thing the food was good. And Jeanne said it is kind of a famous place.
Notre Dame was a treat as usual, although there were hundreds of people walking through the church, and outside in the area in front of the church. One really does have to watch for pickpockets. We walked inside the church, marveling at its beauty; you can't help but feel reverent, no matter what your religious views. Walking around the outside, you cannot even believe that this huge structure was put together so long ago. The technology is incredible as well as beautiful. A most enjoyable walk both inside and out.
After that a short walk to Shakespeare and Company, an English bookstore nearby. We don't buy anything but it's a neat place to just browse. Then back to the hotel for a very short half hour rest. On the road again, to Levallois, where I buy dinner (takeout) because we're all too tired to cook! But we do manage to reheat some quiches, and throw together a salad and some bread and cheese. Juliet is tired, and after her bath and a little play time, she falls asleep for the night. We only had time to read "Pat the Bunny" about 10 times, but I'm sure we'll get the chance to read it again this weekend; Juliet is fascinated with little books.
Matt and Jeanne are tired, too, so we make it an early night. Beth, Charlotte and I are going to Versailles tomorrow, so we need a good night's sleep and an early start. A demain--until tomorrow!
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