TDuTwo

Hi AGM! I hope this finds you (and DH!) OK. Please pass along same thoughts to all on WFD folks.

TDuTwo

Day 11, 5 May 2016, Sunny high 60s

Short:

Breakfast: SSDD

Lunch: Musee Caffee (across from Rodin); Salad with chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, greens. St. Emilion. Chicken great, meh toms. A-

Dinner: La Liberte: Steak and frites with bearnaise; small pichet Bordeaux. If I'd know how thin this would be, I would have ordered medium. Still, tasty. Liberty fries (LOL) more than I could eat. B.

Long:

TDuTwo

Breakfast server still slinging dishes so I guess it's just his way.

Checked email and studied bus map to strategize spending a long afternoon on the right bank tomorrow to be there at 8 (20:00). Not sure.

Remembering how much DH and I enjoyed Rodin museum in 1999 on first trip here and see the #28 goes near. So, 10:30ish, it's a new day.

I pass an optician shop and there are those glasses I saw on the train. Yippee! Grr, they are readers only and cost €99! Desole, Madam.

"Hello, my name is Doris" looking woman is at the stop. She says today is Ascension Day and busses are running intermittently. Grrrr. But along comes 28 and all is good until someone gets off at the wrong stop...

What I heard announced and what it was...well, I kinda knew where we are so I head to a good landmark...the Eiffel Tower!

TDuTwo

The sky is clear and the temp is nice for strolling. At the next cross street, 82 & 92 bus stop is going in the correct direction AND return to Montparnasse gare.

Get off at Ecole Militaire and stroll a bit. Make that I couldn't remember where Rodin is so floundered until I came upon 2 like women...but they have a map!

The Rodin renovation was huge. According to intro movie, over 500 pieces were packed up and moved so ceilings, mouldings, walls and floors (which were so pretty but shabby in 1999) could be repaired/replaced as needed.

An entry and gift shop...shocking...were added. I didn't remember the cafe in the back yard. Oh, and elevator I didn't locate until the trip down.

The rooms were filled with works of Rodin and a few others. Timeline boards.

Back out and I see an older distinguished couple holding hands. She has the best looking skirt--printed with dark book spines. Muted though. I will run into them later and get a chance to tell her. She was pleased.

Across the street to the tourist-filled cafe. Salad was good but toms didn't please.

TDuTwo

Decide to walk back until I hit another bus stop. See Artisan Boulanger Secco. Bought 2 choc macs and a water for emergency. Turned the corner and there is an Angelinas with an amazingly tempting window. Clerk says OK for photo and dit fromage.

Pretty pocket park and suddenly I am standing at Bon Marcher next to a G7 cab. €7 get me and my bladder back to familiar territory.

TDuTwo

I pass another boulanger/sandwich shop and see a dessert so pretty that it must be purchased and photographed...and eaten which I did.

Quick email check, nap and then of to Montparnasse tower. The resto is mobbed. Not even a seat at the bar. Rats, I join the tourists on the roof.

Stair alert! After elevator to 56th floor, there are 3 more flights of steps and then a semi-permanent set to the very top. The top floor is surrounded by plexi with open slots every so often for clear viewing. There was a litle bar and seating area also.

Back to 56th floor, I get more shots. They put a snack bar at the Eiffel end!

Back down and walk up Quinet. Covered market stalls in the middle. Oh, I forgot to write how huge and cool this market is. It continues through Saturday. Cafes line the street and I sit at one at the corner of Gaite where DH and I stayed one time. Sigh.

The fries were so good and so was steak except it was less than 1/2" thick. Knowing I had eaten dessert, I just went back to the room.

Bon soir!

TDuTwo

Back to room and find the alarm has been ringing for 2 hours. Glad the battery zwas new but wonder if I should buy another as I have a very early flight Sunday.

Friday, 6 Mai 2016, 70s with wispy clouds.

I am finally caught up with TR. Taking a long a.m. to do so, organize clothing, get a good shower and figure out my game plan. Arcades, palais royal and Luxemburg gardens. Finally, Bach at Ste. Chapelle.

Bonne journee, Madam.

Vttraveler

I hope you have a wonderful end of your trip, TDudette. Bach at Ste Chappelle sounds great.

2010

Yearning for Paris and a return visit to the Rodin Museum. I recall being fascinated by a sculpture of hands. I hope it made its way back out after the renovations.

And the Medici Fountain, my favourite spot in Luxembourg Garden. Wonder if you walked by there.

Bach at Ste Chappelle - a departure from Vivaldi. Such a beautiful venue. Hope you enjoyed the concert. On my last Paris visit, I went to hear a solo cellist play Bach's unaccompanied cello suites at a small neighbourhood church. Not as grand as Ste. Chappelle but intimate & memorable for sure!

Sigh!

TDuTwo

Thanks Vt and yes 2010, the hands are still there. Many studies. I had hoped to get to Lux gardens todaybut got too pooped. I was happy it is the Bach.

Anyone know Cafe Louise? Across street and a little kitty corner from mobbed Deux Magots. Had a good formule lunch there today and made res for 7 tomorrow.

TR later.

annhig

Bach at the St Chappelle? how lovely.

don't know the Cafe louise - looking forward to learning more about it.

TDuTwo

Hi annhig! I listened to a 1955 You tube version played by a young Glen Gould. Tonight's version performed by violin, viola, and viola de gamba so much different.

Magical room anyhow. Going to fall asleep so TR will wait. Train to Bayeux 9:00 a.m.

StCirq, you and S must get to the market on Edgar Quinet. Two.small console tables with inlays. Robot also.

annhig

Tonight's version performed by violin, viola, and viola de gamba so much different.>>

it sounds very interesting, TD. hope the trip to Bayeux goes well tomorrow.

StCirq

Hi, TDudette:

I know the Café Louise...sweet!

Haven't taken S to the Marché Edgar Quinet yet - will put on the list for the next trip to Paris.

Enjoy Bayeux! Have lunch/dinner at Le Petit Normand if you can.

santamonica

What an adventure! Such a bon vivant. I think I know what that means. That eeze not my dog. Wonderful. DW and I look forward to seeing you and some pictures soon. Cantlers?

yestravel

Sounds like a great trip!

Cantlers is always good.

TDuTwo

Hi to all. A long trip just to see one thing, but worth it and I saw a gite just up the hill. Need to double-check the accuracy of my notes then will send the details.

Imagine an almost 230-foot embroidery on linen!

If packing doesn't kill me, will TR tonight after dinner.

TDuTwo

It happened again. StCirq, santa and yestravel's posts appeared after I posted at 5:58! Argh.

Cantlers woould make a good summer gtg! Please pick some dates.

LOL StCirq, I almost got a hot dog at a wonderful tourist cafe.

Thanks mes amies!

TDuTwo

Friday, Day 12, 6Mai, contd

Breakfast: Macarons from yesterday and water.

Lunch: Cafe Louise: Demi melon with jambon de pays; Noisette d'Agneau poele et son jus au thyme, haricots verts; Creme de mascarpone sur eclats d'oreos. Eclat sounds some much classier than just crumbled Oreos! Solid A for taste but surely there is something crunchy that is French.

Dinner: Ham and cheese on ciabatta, water, and end of StCirq's vin noix. B for sandwich.

Long:

Plan to go to Palais Royal gardens and nearby Passage.

As mentioned above, I took the a.m. to organize and catch up on emails/TR. Had TV going. 3 English speakers are CNBC, BBC, and Bloomburg. 30-some others. Mostly French but not all. M6 has a house buying show like HGTV. Also seen some Jimmy Fallons.

Guy on BBC says he has just learned the word 'Chunnel'. Truth? It looks like the 95 bus is something to put in your notes.

TDuTwo

The 95 goes from Gare Montparnasse all the way up to Clichy-Caulaincourt in Montmartre. €1,40 not a bad investment. It stops at Louvre. 94 also goes north but via Place de Concorde.

The problem for me in France and Italy has been signage. But thank goodness for electronic signs in busses.