When I left you yesterday, we were about to see Notre Dame, which is just across the Seine from Shakespeare and Company. But first, we went into the little park across the street from the bookshop.
It’s charming. Paris has a lot of parks, big and small, and I love sitting down on a bench, watching both the people and the birds. In this case, crows were bullying the pigeons, so we’d see large swaths of pigeons fly up and out of the park, returning when it seemed as if the crows had gone. Very entertaining.
From the park, you could see Notre Dame.
As you see, there is scaffolding everywhere.
I’ve realized that daily life in Paris – for a tourist – is all about finding bathrooms and bottles of water. We had to find a toilette quickly. The closest bridge to Notre Dame has been closed since the fire. There used to be public bathrooms near the church, but that whole area has been blocked off. So we went to a local café, thinking we’d have a bite to eat, as well as avail ourselves of the toilettes. It was a beautiful café and they had a veggie burger which turned out to be the best veggie burger I have ever had – this from a 30 year vegetarian.
Oh my heavens. We made a repeat visit a few days later. So, so good!
From our table: a view of Notre Dame and the bouquinistes on the Seine. If you’re unfamiliar with that word, the bouquinistes are the booksellers that deal in used and antiquarian books along the Seine. Their shops are essentially in a green wooden box. They open up each day and then close and lock the box at night.
This is what they look like when they’re closed. We bought an antique book from one of the bouquinistes, which I’ll share with you later.
And now, some photos of Notre Dame:
From the front of the church, you’d hardly know there had been a fire, though the spire that we saw fall during news accounts of the fire is missing. But from the side and rear, it’s clear that there has been enormous damage. Many windows are missing; one assumes they’re being restored.
The Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge on the Seine, connects to Île de la Cité, the center of what was the medieval city of Paris. Notre Dame is there, along with a palace that surrounds Sainte-Chappelle, the most gloriously beautiful chapel I have ever seen. But that is for another day.
There. A shot of Notre Dame where the damage isn’t as visible. It’s comforting to see that the front view of that gorgeous church is much the same.
We headed back toward the Jardin du Luxembourg. This time, we entered from Rue Vaugirard, which gave us a whole new view of parts of the garden we hadn’t seen. Including this, my now favorite place in the garden.
I don’t mind telling you that we gasped when we saw this: Marie De Medici’s Fountain. This is a sneak peak. I’ll share more with you tomorrow. I have never been so entranced by a fountain in my life. It’s simply exquisite.
More of the fountain and the park and a whole lot of other things tomorrow.
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Happy Saturday.
I am loving your tour of Paris! All so interesting and beautiful. That veggie burger is the biggest, nicest-looking one I’ve ever seen. Yum! That fountain – and the gate around it – is indeed exquisite. Can’t wait to see more details.
xoxo
Oh, it was so good, Melanie! Thank you!
I am so enjoying your Paris pictures and info!
Thank you, Judy!
This is just divine! Especially that new garden you discovered. It’s exquisite, memorable and very tranquil. My kind of place. Thanks for taking us along! ;)
You’re most welcome, Donna!
Thank you for sharing your trip to Paris. I was there almost nine years ago and it was glorious!
Polly
It still is, Polly! Thank you.
Thanks Claudia!! Your meandering days in Paris seem a lovely way to go. And it shows in your beautiful portrait yesterday!
Meandering kept us relaxed. There was only one day where we forgot to do that and I’ll write about it on Monday.
Thanks, Grace!
I have been fortunate enough to visit Paris twice. The first visit we stayed on Île de la Cité in a small boutique hotel, with a cellar breakfast room, much like your hotel. The entire experience was exquisite. You are inspiring me to return to that beautiful city.
Oh, lovely! I’m glad I am. Thank you, Cindy.
Your pictures are wonderful. I love the old buildings.
Thank you, Elaine!
Thanks for your pictures and nice explanations, can’t wait to see more.
Helga
Thank you, Helga!
Thank You for sharing your time in Paris. The photos are lovely.
Marilyn
I’m happy to share, Marilyn. Thank you!
My favorite Paris thing (OK, one of them) are the bouquinistes. And Notre Dame. And especially Medici fountain. So you are ticking all my boxes today! Your photos, as always, are splendid and it’s good to see the Notre Dame, even though it’s so sad. I look forward to one of my all time best Paris spots, La Sainte Chapelle. It takes my breath away.
Oh, wait until I post about Sainte-Chapelle, Jeanie! I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was.
Thank you!
wow … incredible photos, claudia! thanks for sharing more about your time in paris … and to see notre dame restoration work.
glad for you and don to have had such a great time. makes me want to work harder at getting to paris.
hope you’re over the jetlag!
kathy in iowa
I am finally over jet lag, but it took a long time, Kathy. Thank you!
Enjoying every moment as you recount your stay! Bucket List!
Thank you, Roxie!
It is so good to see your photos of Notre Dame. I am so determined to return now that I see more and more of your photos. I plan to see more of the parks and places I missed last time. Just soak up Paris. Oh yes the ever present chore of finding a toilette! Hugs.
A second trip allows you to take your time and just meander, Linda. I know you will love that. xo
Very much enjoying your Paris travelogue! Glad you had fun.
Thank you, Lynda!
Lovely, lovely. Gotta renew my passport. Thank you for these treats.
Yes, you do! Thank you, Martha!