Place de Vosges and wandering

Walked/rolled to Place de Vosges and it is a beautiful square surrounded by buildings, first place in Europe that all the house fronts were built in the same design in 1605. 

The arches under all the buildings either hold restaurants or art galleries. Art galleries were full of what looked like very expensive art, large sculptures and paintings that would cost the bomb I’m sure! Large statue in the middle of the park with fountains on the four corners, fountains were built in 1825. 

The park is gated, linden trees line the park and gate. Victor Hugo, author of Les Miserables, Hunchback of Notre Dame lived there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_des_Vosges

Bruce learned something new about Paris today, he had never been to this square. There are passageways between major streets, while we haven’t walked down many, that’s another venture.

Getting there we got slightly lost, and walked further than needed, a lot further really, read that on this blog before? Walked through what looked like a club district, cobblestoned streets which we haven’t seen to much of here. We lunched at Royal Turenne, Marais District. I went to the toilet which was an adventure in itself, not usually, but here, access to it is through the narrow space where the food comes out of the kitchen. Wait staff were coming and going with large trays and yelling at each other orders, while us women were just trying to get to or back from the can, it was a melee.

Lebanese Restaurant, great food, great service!

Technology beats me again, darn it! Well not quite. Needed to add money to my cell, it’s a German SIM card, although should have brought my Spanish one since Ivan talked me through making it a European one, didn’t, left it in Sevilla. Part one - I used to update it at a phone store; Part two - found I could do it at a bank ATM, easier; Part three - that doesn’t seem to happen here in Paris, tried about six different ATM’s; Part four - and final, remembered I could do it through online banking. Whew, done.

Liked the clematis, not quite the ghost.

Met our host Sophie today and she helped us get a taxi to our tour that you've read about. What surprised us is that it took a conversation of about ten minutes to do so. Very glad she was available to help, we’d have been unable I think. Services like this seem to be available for everyone, no matter what language, but truthfully they are not. Sophie said she found it difficult as well so I guess it's not all about my inabilities. 

Window display in shoe store

The following week they displayed ballet shoes of famous dancers, some looked very well worn. This is the store http://www.repetto.com/en/ I certainly have never had the lithe figure to do ballet but I do appreciate this store's marketing.

Peering down an alley to find this building, did they run out of bricks?

Cousins like Pigs, advert for a vaudeville show

Couldn't resist taking a picture of this poster, so bizarre, the show has good reviews though.

Those are some of our wanderings in Paris, thoroughly enjoyed. 

Cheers, Bx2 and Lexi Cat