We are off to Versailles

This morning with a blue sky looking back at us we decided to head to Versailles. We were going to go the day before but fortunately changed plans because we discovered later that the French President had used Versailles for his economy talks and we probably wouldn't have been able to get in.  It is very grand as you walk up the street toward it. The city is all around it which surprised me. I expected it to be way out in the country. I guess that a town grew up around it to support the palace.

The palace has ongoing restoration and there are tarps and scaffolding everywhere. Sort of reminds you of Vancouver and condo rot. Scarey on that scale.  There was a free headset with descriptions of the rooms but we didn't want to wait in the lineup.

Another day another bistro

The sun is shining and the beer is good. Just so you foodies know, I had a vegetable soup that seemed to be a puree of squash, carrots and some fabulous stock base served with a dark baguette. Lyn had the most delicious looking quiche with chevre cheese melted on top, that was about 2 inches deep and wide across with a salad. She said it was so rich it tasted as if it were made with heavy cream. As you can see by our plates it wasn't very good. (click on the picture for the evidence) It is a good thing we don't eat out 3 times a day or I wouldn't be getting through the turnstiles at the Metro. For my sister, the onion soup a few days ago was incredible. They use emmental cheese rather than the mozzarella I have had at home. C'est tres bonne!

Marais District

We can't believe it we have 3 days left on our holiday. Where did the time go? The weather this morning was cloudy but we could see blue sky in the distance. We talked at breakfast what we wanted to see in the next coming days-whether we get there who knows. Today we decided to take the bus to the Place de la Bastille & do a Rick Steves' walking tour of the Marais. This was where the rich lived in the 15 th century but by the 19th century it was a working class neighbourhood with a large Jewish population. We walked down toward Place des Vosges. This is Paris's oldest square. It has 36 houses surrounding a park that once hosted jousting competitions but now have children enjoying themselves on the swings. We followed the map through the narrow streets & back alleys.

Stopped at the Carnavalet Musuem which is 2 Marais mansions connected by a corridor. The museum was free so we had to go in. There isn't to many freebies in Paris. This place is a little confusing and we got lost a few times. We wondered if we would ever surface. All that traipsing made us thirsty so we had to stopped at a cafe for a Heineken & food. Have to get your priorities right.

Vimy Ridge

At 7 o'clock we woke to rain. By 8:30 the sky was turning blue so we headed out of the city to visit Vimy Ridge National Historic Site of Canada. We arrived at the town of Arras, after being told that we could either get a cab or join a tour bus to reach the monument. Exiting the station we are met with a total absence of cabs and no bus. Hmmmm. Others have been waiting 30 minutes to catch a cab. We talk to a young couple from Toronto and we agree to share a cab if one ever shows up. Yeah! We have a cab and off we head.

A quiet Sunday

Today we were up an hour earlier than usual because we didn't realize that the clocks went back last night. With the extra hour in our pocket we headed off to the street market to do some grocery shopping. Our first purchase after looking over all the stalls was the french version of KFC. It is a huge rôtisserie with chickens dripping and a pan at the bottom catching the "jus" with potatoes and olives cooking in the bottom. Oh my gawd. Oui madame, we want the "jus" s'il vous plait. Merci!!
Next to the cheese merchant, then veggie man, then bread baker, then fruit merchant for apples and then the flower merchant, then the Lebanese merchant for hummus, babba ganish and pita with chicken kabobs. Oh and the the jewlery booth. Boy, are our arms long. You may think we were stocking up for the famine.....where is my granny cart?

Thank you everyone

First we just want to say thank for the comments you leave us. We love to get up in the morning and read your messages while we have our expresso or tea depending on the Granny. It really makes us feel connected and nice to know that you are interested.

In the pics above: Chris is buying a book at the famous stalls on the Seine, The next one if you look close this is how they move their furniture into their apartments & the last is the fountain in front of the outdoor market at Place Monge.

Monet in the Orangerie

After leaving the Louvre we walked through the Tuileries again. There is an art installation in the park right now and there are some interesting pieces to see including one in the middle of one of the fountains. We then visited the Orangerie where they have a wonderful space dedicated to Monet. There are 2 rooms that hold 4 pieces each of his last major work. The panels are massive and the space had to be built to house them when Monet gave them to the Louvre in his will. They are magnificent and this tiny image does not begin to do justice to this wonderful work. They are meant to illustrate different times of day at his beloved Lily Pond in Giverny.
We are finishing our day with a lovely pate picked up at the meat market, delicious quiche and baguette from the patisserie and wine from a merchant who is begining to recognize us and smirk when we walk in the door. Life is good.

Travel Tip:
Musee Orangerie

Friday at the Louvre

With the last day of our museum pass looming we had to face the Louvre. Don't get us wrong but it is rather daunting in comparision to other museums. We did our research and found out what time the English guided tour was and headed out promptly. We arrived and managed to find the correct department (no small feat) and were faced with "So sorry mesdames, we are canceled for today!" So we gritted our teeth, clutching our guides of the Louvre, parted our ways and agreed to meet in 2 hours. So first thing, the guide has little relation to the actual route you will take and without a certain level of physic power and excellent French you may be at a disadavantage...You can't keep 2 old dames down. We made it to Paris and this would not be our Waterloo. Saw wonderful things and too many to relate in one go. We traded hints and clues when we met and headed back into the fray after lunch. We cannot imagine the crush in the summer. While we were there it was busy but at least comfortable.

Here are a few pieces of art that we saw today.



Travel Tip:
Louvre

Monet's Garden

Well today was very special day for both of us. We woke to a blue sky and crisp autumn weather. Today is a walking day perfect for Monet's garden. We caught a train to Normandy and the town of Vernon. We ran out the door to a bus leaving for the little town of Giverny where Monet built his famous gardens.

We can't to do justice to describing how every turn was a new wonder. The volume and variety of flowers was unbelievable. The colours were so rich.

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