On our last day in Paris we had tickets booked for Monets garden but we realised it would mean a 7am start on the metros and trains and we were both a bit over early mornings and we know there will be plenty ahead of us as we tend to get reasonably early starts when trekking. Instead we took it easy in the morning, did our washing and headed to the railway station to buy tickets to the airport tomorrow. We then found the pompadou centre which is famous for its architecture with all utilities on the outside. Red for lifts, blue plumbing/water, green air conditioning etc. We walked to Bastille and besides the monument I was surprised it led onto a canal with many houseboats some of which we gathered were permanent residences. It was a really pretty area. It was then a walk along the river dodging all the Sunday morning joggers while they were concentrating on not twisting an ankle on the very old and uneven cobblestones. We walked through little island buying an ice cream from a recommended vendor- yes delicious and then onto the big island to Notre Dame. It’s amazing, both the damage from the fore and the restoration works. The buildings down the sides are so close they must have been terrified. It’s incredible the fire didn’t spread and knock out most of the neighbourhood. €900 million was raised in donations to restore it and every stone has been lifted from the rubble, it’s been worked out where it might have fallen from cleaned, numbered and put aside until it can be replaced. It’s hoped it will be open for the olympics but they have a long way to go.
It was then over to the left bank and the Latin quarter, Shakespeare bookshop where many down and out writers found a bed and companionship until they could afford to move on and a walk around the streets of the Sorbonne. We were looking for a restaurant that came recommended but one we found it were disappointed it was all indoors so we doubled back to one we had seen on a sunny balcony overlooking a tiny square with fountain but also the gathering point for the homeless. We ate and drank while watching them do deals in smokes and cups of alcohol..
On a whim we decided to try our luck on our unused Arc de Triumph tickets and were ushered through to face the bottom of a winding staircase which certainly got the blood pumping. Many oldies had stopped along the way to catch their breath but I was determined to make in one go. I have to admit I did feel ever so giddy and sick at the top. Coming down was not much easier as it’s definitely harder on the arthritic knee. I train ride home and then a search on for a late night bowl of French onion soup. We found it but then spat chips when the waiter informed us the last 2 bowls had just been served. We settled for ham and cheese on toast topped with a fried egg! Not dissimilar to some Sunday night dinners I’ve had in the past but not a great note to finish our dining in Paris.
Jane treks Lycian Way 2022 