Out and About

Time has been flying by so I need to do a few updates. We went out for lunch to celebrate the 40th birthday of the runner at a special gluten-free Italian restaurant and it was scrumptious. Afterwards we took a very long stroll through Parc Monceau which was between the restaurant and our hotel. We’re so glad we went. The flowers were blooming and there was a large variety of trees, unlike Winnipeg where most parks seem to have mostly the same type of trees. It is a multi-purpose park, very large, and runners use it to train for their runs on the exterior loop. Inside, children reign supreme with a large playground, a dedicated area for kids learning to roller blade, and a tandem swing area great for the younger playground folks. For the adults, there’s many paths to stroll and cute little bridges to cross and benches to sit and enjoy the sun. We’ll let the pictures tell the story. 

Despite attempts to find a birthday cake suitable for the runner we didn’t have any luck. The one place nearby was a 6 minute walk—just perfect in our minds, but the concierge at our hotel was a little skeptical if it actually existed, as we were. And we were all correct. There was no bakery at the address given though we did get brave and poke our nose in an alley where it said “No Entrance” and found large shop-style kitchen doors open and a cooking school inside. They said we weren’t the first ones to come looking for this bakery which they said they’ve never seen. 

We  toured Saint Augustin Church near our hotel. The priest invited us to join in their evening service but we opted for a tour instead. Another beautiful old Catholic Church—this one was built in the 1850s. 

We happened upon Les Galleries Lafayettes—a department store with a view. It’s an amazing historical building. The store has taken full advantage of the extraordinary views inside near the roof where they’ve created a special Instagram place to take photos. We didn’t get all the way up but it’s definitely worth another look when we have more time. 

Versailles Palace was on our list of must-sees. Us, and about one million other people it seemed, who all had the desire to see it on Good Friday. It was a pretty dull, cool, and misty day so it wasn’t looking as lush and green as it often would in the sunshine. This year they set-up recorded classical music to play in concert with the palace’s fountains although they were taking a break during the time we were there so we can’t say it was that remarkable—pretty sure we weren’t seeing the real thing. The grandson especially enjoyed learning about all of the portraits displayed in the Battle Gallery. I did a big project in junior high on Versailles and while I don’t recollect everything I learned about the palace and gardens, there were a few things that spurred a far distant remembrance, especially the Hall of Mirrors. 

Versailles from the exterior

We can’t imagine how the Versailles staff ensure everyone finds their way out of the maze of paths. 

Maze designs in the gardens

Of course there were gold frogs!

Inside the Hall of Mirrors

Gold leaf was abundant all throughout the Palace of Versailles.

Parc Monceau

Small carousels are a part of almost all the parks here. 

Very much like Monet’s garden. 

We took the RER train to Paris Disneyland today to take in this site for a few days. It’s pretty much the first time that the youngest granddaughter has been tall enough to go on many of the rides. I was fortunate to join her with her family on “It’s a Small World”—remembering when we took our own kids to Disney World so many years ago. 

And Une Fete Foraine Begins

Adventure on the High Seas