4 October 2009 Paris with Rebecca

Today, being Sunday, means a lot of things are closed, like our favourite morning cafe place, our favourite boulangerie (bakery), our favourite news stand, etc. However, we walked around to find an open cafe (still great coffee) and a Daily Observer.

We then got on the Metro and went North to the English language Catholic Church for the 11 am Mass - St. Joseph's Church. It was built in the '70's and is in the basement of a building. Meg calls it Our Lady of the Bunker. Heard Mass in English.

We then, by prearrangement, met Meg's cousin Rebecca and went wandering. A GREAT day of doing so, the three of us.

First, we went to the Arc de Triumph in the Place de Charles de Gaulle. It really spoke to BAV - it was not just the "tourist must see" memorial. We explored that a bit (Meg and Rebecca were patient). We could see NW up the Blvd de Grande Armee to see another arch, La Defence, built very recently under Mitterand. It is 35 stories high. We could also see SE down the justifiably famous Champs Elysee. This time we had lots of time, unlike the other night when Meg and I were a bit rushed. And Rebecca was such good company.

We stopped for fabulous lunch (they all are here) at the famous Cafe Georges V, run by and in front of the Georges V Hotel, out on the street, and watched the world walk by as we ate. BAV thought of his Uncle Art who had his great Paris adventure staying at that hotel. He could just imagine Art walking out the door and into the street. Exquisite Boeuf Bourginion with a nice vin maison. We then wandered further SE looking in all the shops (for rich folks).

We ended up wandering SW along Avenue Montaigne with more exclusive shops such as Dior, Chanel, Nina Ricci, Valentino, Roberto Cavallee and others that seem to mean something to Meg and Rebecca. And, of course, the Canadian Embassy. Very unprepossessing. Not surrounded by a high wall, in a courtyard guarded by Canadian Forces. Just a classy building right on the street.

We arrived at the Place de l'Alma and the Avenue de New York which runs along the river with the Eiffel Tower on the other side. Dozens of tour busses. Meg and I had long planned not to stand in line for a half day (minimum) to go up it. We ended up at the Trocadero which is a beautiful park and a large museum right directly across the river from the Eiffel Tower. Enjoyed the view and the company. Stopped for a coffee and snack at the museum.

We then got on the Metro (changing lines) to go back to the Isle de Cite and Sainte Chapelle so BAV could buy a replica of one of the Notre Dame gargoyles he had seen when we toured Sainte Chapelle the other day. We then parted with Rebecca and Metro'ed home. We stopped at the one (busy) boulangerie open on Sunday for our dinner bagette. As usual, we walked home carrying it under the arm. BAV likes doing that almost as much as eating it.