Paris Day Four - Part One - Friday

Day Four - Friday - time to explore Notre Dame etc

Breakfast started with filled Baguette from the Local Patisserie – Soft White Cheese and Sun Dried tomatoes with watercress.  This was delicious, Jennifer had a fruit swirl again, we also got a baguette for later. Once breakfast was in hand we headed to the river, Walk to Metro station across river ‘Gare De Austerlitz’ to Notre Dame.

Security across Paris is tight, first is the army on Operation Sentinel, then security by Paris city call Vegalanty
then you have the Police etc.  
 The walk to Notre Dame from the Station took us back through the Latin Quarter again. 
But we made it into the fast moving queue

Notre Dame is a wonder of the world, one of the great cathedrals of the world. And the line was only 10 minutes long. It didn’t let us down. The windows and architect were amazing. This place buzz was tourist but still had some people praying and seeking quiet. When we came out we then proceed to find Saint Chapel. It was easy to find and pass through security at what is now the High Court of Paris.

When we first went in I thought we had the wrong chapel. It was suppose to be a chapel then was just Stained glass windows. But it was a room with a low ceiling in Gothic style. But Surprise, we were in the basement.  When we walked up the Stairs into the little chapel. WOW what windows. The chapel was just quiet with camera’s going click.  Light was not an issue and the sun was shining through all the windows. The Chapel is still under restoration but what a place.. when we came out it was still 10:00 in the morning, so the Concierge was right next door. 

This place is and old Palace that became a prison during the revolution. Sound familiar, Tower of London was like that. The great hall was an architectural masterpiece. The rooms were large, the kitchen fireplaces could have held cars. They were big and would have produced so much heat, it would have been almost intolerable.  But today it just amazes Tourists. When we came out we were Hungary for some reason, we had bog breakfast. So a quick Croquet Mossier was had. They make them with Softchesse in the middle and hard cheese onto top.   With Ham in the middle to add more flavor, I only had one on the whole trip as the Kolijoules in one of those is my daily allowance.

Walking past Fountains that have their since the 1800's

We then head for the Museum of the Medieval Ages. We got to this little Museum at 11:00, we were will ahead of the day plan. This museum was not what we expected, and we were not impressed by it. Basically, it was a museum that show how Christianity arrived in France. 
It lots of old artifacts, so after this we decided to head for the Pantheon.

This old church was behind the Pantheon

As we walked to the Pantheon we passed a small French café that was not on the tourist route. We decided that when we finished at the Pantheon we would got there for lunch. When we arrived at the Pantheon we were surprised by the size of it, this building has a Greek front, a Grand Dome, marble statue inside to remember the revolution but not much else, the treasure is downstairs in the catacombs. Jennifer waited while I went inside. They’re in nice neat order are France recent famous people in Marble coffins. This place was full of surprises and I found the names I wanted easily.

When I came out , Jennifer had checked out the artwork upstairs, and found they were supposed to say a story but the artist got them wrong.  Once we were out, we headed for the Café we had spotted earlier.

Lunch sitting outside at a Paris Café, two Hot chocolates, one Vienna style, and one the French style.

Jennifer had a filled roll made on the spot, Ham with fresh salad and light on the cheese – just right for Jennifer, I asked for the Cheese board, I had a delicious meal.  A firm goats cheese, a light blue, and aged camembert and a soft Emmerdale. Served with some berries and Baguette.  

Walking  to the Luxenberg gardens, we found this out guy playing an old wooden pipe organ.

We stopped and relaxed for an hour.

It was 2:30 by the time we left there to the Luxenberg gardens, the gardens are deightful but the palace Luxemburg was closed

, so we decide we’re try to get to the Train to Museum O’Say , we arrive at 3:20 and it was to close at 06;00 in the evening.

The Museum is a wide Open one, that has lots of light to show off the Statues

Both Marble and Bronze

Painting by the Master

And a Lot of Impressionist's
Upstairs was a restaurant that we enjoy a quick cake from.
With great views of the city to the north.

 This museum is a modern Museum design to show the master at there best. Monet was there amongst the best impressionist. Statues from the masters, This Museum was highlights of the trip. We stayed until closing time.  

On the Outside are Statues of Animals As well.
Before walking out planning where to go. The days plan had gone way ahead of where we thought it would go.  

As the sun was out we decided to go to the Tuileries garden again and before going to the Louvre Mall for some quick small food again. ( Potato Gratin and Ratatouille). By the time we came out, we were exhausted. 

So the train back to hotel the only option.

 We relaxed again at the hotel before going out for appetizers and dessert at the local bistro.

Terrine and cured meats followed by Peach and Raspberry Ice cream. Great way to finish a great day in Paris.