Post by geordy on Oct 4, 2012 8:11:52 GMT -5
Saturday....last day! Already....
Enjoyed the Patrimoine weekend very much a few years ago....since we were close by I wanted to see Hotel de Ville......but other than that did not want to spend most of the last day waiting in lines!
So for breakfast grabbed an available table in front of busy Bar/Brass St. Paul.and had cafes and croissants. Sat morning errands in full swing for locals, shopping carts, strollers, additional kids, but of course they must pause for a cafe and cig and chat with neighbors! (first time this trip really aware of cig smoke!) Enjoyable to watch hub bub when you are a bystander!
Head to H de V..line not too bad and seems to be moving so we join. 20 mins and we are in! Tour quite pleasant, quite beautiful!..because it is such a large bldg you moved at your own pace throughout following arrows and stopping to read placards like in many museums available in other languages on laminated cards... In one large reception room there were various artisans, lighting, parquetry, tapestries, flowers(!) giving demos, answering questions, etc. Bottled up a bit at Council Chamber.....there is a plaque to the 8 members executed during the Occupation for being involved in Resistance....and Mayor's office...I could work under these conditions! ;D
And what a place for a party!
Jody, the exhibits are great here but you don't get to see much of the bldg. then..just the exhibition rooms. In addition to the Patrimoine open house, one day a week they give tours by appt. Call 01 42 76 54 04 or 01 42 76 50 49...I think the day varies depending on what's going on in the Hall each day! Definately worth a visit!
Stopped for vin fortification afterwards...then headed through Tuileries and then visit to Champs Elysees.....managed to pick the correct side of the Ave to walk on.....I wanted to stop at some places on that side....thus missing the Anti American demonstration at the Embassy !(saw on news that evening.we were right across the Ave)
Decided to graze for lunch......first an Alsatian onion tart at a cafe overlooking the river (it was quiche like variety.I wanted just onions so was forced to make one last weekend! ) then rillettes sandwiches at Cafe Deauville. Really seen a change in the Champs since I first started coming regularly almost 20 yrs ago, all the chain stores and the cafes diminishing and "modernizing"....not for the better for the most part, but it still is Belle in its bones!
Gift shopping(made a dent in Christmas! ), take home groceries shopping Lauderee has not yet reopened but they do have a trailer set up outside for take away sales!
Pastries, Champagne for room and back for last nite at hotel!
Enjoyed the Patrimoine weekend very much a few years ago....since we were close by I wanted to see Hotel de Ville......but other than that did not want to spend most of the last day waiting in lines!
So for breakfast grabbed an available table in front of busy Bar/Brass St. Paul.and had cafes and croissants. Sat morning errands in full swing for locals, shopping carts, strollers, additional kids, but of course they must pause for a cafe and cig and chat with neighbors! (first time this trip really aware of cig smoke!) Enjoyable to watch hub bub when you are a bystander!
Head to H de V..line not too bad and seems to be moving so we join. 20 mins and we are in! Tour quite pleasant, quite beautiful!..because it is such a large bldg you moved at your own pace throughout following arrows and stopping to read placards like in many museums available in other languages on laminated cards... In one large reception room there were various artisans, lighting, parquetry, tapestries, flowers(!) giving demos, answering questions, etc. Bottled up a bit at Council Chamber.....there is a plaque to the 8 members executed during the Occupation for being involved in Resistance....and Mayor's office...I could work under these conditions! ;D
And what a place for a party!
Jody, the exhibits are great here but you don't get to see much of the bldg. then..just the exhibition rooms. In addition to the Patrimoine open house, one day a week they give tours by appt. Call 01 42 76 54 04 or 01 42 76 50 49...I think the day varies depending on what's going on in the Hall each day! Definately worth a visit!
Stopped for vin fortification afterwards...then headed through Tuileries and then visit to Champs Elysees.....managed to pick the correct side of the Ave to walk on.....I wanted to stop at some places on that side....thus missing the Anti American demonstration at the Embassy !(saw on news that evening.we were right across the Ave)
Decided to graze for lunch......first an Alsatian onion tart at a cafe overlooking the river (it was quiche like variety.I wanted just onions so was forced to make one last weekend! ) then rillettes sandwiches at Cafe Deauville. Really seen a change in the Champs since I first started coming regularly almost 20 yrs ago, all the chain stores and the cafes diminishing and "modernizing"....not for the better for the most part, but it still is Belle in its bones!
Gift shopping(made a dent in Christmas! ), take home groceries shopping Lauderee has not yet reopened but they do have a trailer set up outside for take away sales!
Pastries, Champagne for room and back for last nite at hotel!