Tuesday, 26 July 2022

Stands for the Heat in Paris

 Hi everyone, I'm still slowly returning to something like a normal routine. You may not think so if you read my TIOT post today, but really I am!!

The heat in Paris was fierce but it wasn't going to stop my Granddaughter and I visiting the sights!

Thursday was Le 14 Juliet  - known as Bastille Day by English speaking visitors to France, but known as Féte Nationale Français by the French. 

We had watched some of the Military parade on TV while getting ready to go out so I decided that our first stop should be Place de la Bastille for a short history lesson. We walked along Rue Antoine where there are many reminders about the revolution. 

Place des Vosges used to be named Place Royale until after the revolution, when it's name was changed to honour the place to be the first to pay taxes to Napoleon's newly formed government.
We stopped off at this restaurant - The Place Royale - we were shown to a shady spot under the second archway from the right. There was a lovely cool breeze blowing and we chatted and did some eavesdropping and people watching.


I spotted the chalked specials board come out and thought we should move on, but that breeze was so welcome that I decided to take a look.
I asked if we could just have a starter and dessert - of course it was OK!  There was something there for me - Onion and anchovy tart but Emily wasn't so keen on anchovies. Our waiter very helpfully fetched the main menu and suggested a vegetable tart for her. It turned out that this was her favourite meal of the whole trip.
We did have a dessert but I didn't take photos -so here we are after our meal. The drinks on our table were Coke for Emily and Tonic water for me. As is usual in France we also had water. 
I'm sharing these pics at 'T Stands for Tuesday', where Bleubeard and Elizabeth are inviting your drink related posts. (Elizabeth - the coke did arrive in a glass bottle but was poured into glasses and whizzed away!)

Refreshed, we took a walk in Place des Vosges
  

This statue of Louis Xlll is a replica of one destroyed during the revolution
There is plant of shade for those that want it, although there were plenty of people sunbathing too!
There are two fountains too - we hoped to get splashed  but the breeze wasn't strong enough to blow the water our way!









We walked to the nearest Metro 


The bears made us smile.
I'm sure you can tell where we went next!
The queues are much bigger that I remembered them from years ago but we did get to see The Mona Lisa. It just so happened that there was free entry to the Louvre to celebrate Bastille day (hence the huge amount of people
Ive deliberately left this as a small image because (if you haven't already seen it) it is quite a small portrait)
Emily loved walking through the galleries with huge paintings in them and she also loved being inside the pyramid.


We ventured into the heat outside for more photos




..and then back inside again to go to the Metro.

Here is a different view of one of my favourite shops...

...and a familiar view from inside
Emily was suitably impressed with this.





We looked at some skirts - the cheapest we could find was £420 and we didn't even like it (Emily said she might pay £20 for it!


We drooled over the Tiffany jewellery - prices in the thousands!
During the Summer several outlets are providing seats where customers are invited to strike a pose - a chance too good to miss for this Miss.
Having had our treat in the restaurant (worry not there will be pictures next week) we set off to our next destination! 



We walked toward Pont Neuf and the Metro - it was going to be a great evening!
More next Tuesday!

Thanks for looking, Chris

12 comments:

  1. Wow, what an amazing post! I'm so glad you enjoyed your visit to Paris with your family, you certainly saw all the sights - the architecture and art gallery look spectacular 😊. Your meal looked so delicious too - perfect! Happy T Day wishes! Hugs Jo x

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  2. So nice to see some pictures of things i have seen in person a very long time ago when my marriage was young. i remember hubby and i (also young) whipping around the Lourve searching for the things we wanted to see.. as we had limited time.. The Mona Lisa.. Whistler's Mother... Venus de Milo. .. Fun memories and beautiful pictures you took Chris! Happy happy T day! Hugs! deb

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  3. another very awesome post Chris-I always say this but thank you soooo much for taking the time to take all these photos and to share them with us. I didn't realize the mona lisa was so small. such a memory filled trip for you both hugs and Happy T Kathy

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  4. Now I really could cry I want to go back so badly...but thanks to you and the Tour de France I got a gorgeous and heartwarming armchair visit through France and Paris!!! Your photos are spectacular, and I certainly do remember seeing how small that Mona Lisa painting really is;). Both of your meal choices would suit me just fine. What a wonderful experience and cherished memories especially for your Emily. Happy T day!

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  5. That veggie tart looks delicious, I bet it was too. It looks so cool and inviting under the shade of those trees too. Lovely photos of the Louvre and Mona, I have seen her before so I knew she was a lot smaller "in person" than people think haha. My neighbour and her daughter are currently in Paris for a birthday trip. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx

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  6. What a great day you had. It looks like you had a lot of fun. And I didn't know that there is a different name for Bastille Day in France. That is really interesting. I have seen Mona before too, and she is pretty tiny, isn't she? But you have to see her at least once if you're in Paris. I'm glad you had a good time, and I hope you also had a great T day too. hugs-Erika

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  7. What lifetime memories you are creating for her!

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  8. Not sure how old Emily is, but this is one wonderful experience for her. Of course, I got to enjoy it right along with her.

    I LOVED the bears. They made me smile. And your meals looked wonderful, especially that veggie tart.

    Somehow I don't get that glass pyramid. I think it cheapens the beauty of the Louvre, but that is just my opinion.

    Emily looks good in that chair in front of the Gucci sign.

    Thanks for taking us to Paris and the famous tourist traps we all know and love. Thanks, too, for sharing your drinks with us for T this Tuesday, dear Chris.



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  9. I feel almost like I've been there! The fountains do sound refreshing, even if just to hear the splashing water :)

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  10. Thank you for taking me for a stroll through Paris. I really enjoyed it. I have to Paris before (twice) but I had never seen the Mona Lisa and hadn't realized how small she was...
    That vegetable tart looks really good. That waiter had her sussed.
    The department store looks very posh and is truly beautiful. (not the prices though). Such fun that Emily could take a photo in the lovely red chair.
    Sorry for the late comment. (Better late than never),
    Hugs,
    Lisca

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  11. What fabulous photos, with your young glamorous companion!! It looks as if you and Emily had a wonderful time, even in the heat. Thanks for sharing the trip with us.

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  12. Oh Chris I so enjoyed reading and looking at this post. Loved your favourite store! And what a pretty grand-daughter you have. Must have been a real treat to go away with you and have you as her own personal guide.
    Hugs, Neet xx

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