Madame Paris - Day One

Arrived in Paris in the early afternoon on the  Eurostar. Got our  first taste of the Parissienne ‘quelines’ at the Gare du Nord waiting for the taxi. Spent the time clicking away - helped that the kids were in good spirits. 

Gare Du Nord

The queue dwindled as taxis kept running in. Ours was a smart lady driver who had to clear her numerous belongings from the front seat for me- could say she wasn't too pleased with that!

Next was our fabulous drive through fabulous Paris.Parisian drivers make London drivers look like saints. Our lady was a fiesty one who didn't take kindly to anyone one trying to cut in on her -- one or two yelling spurts later, we crawled into a cobbled street in the Latin Quarter of Paris which was to be our home for the next few days. 

One thing I learnt from our drive from the station is that this place is steeped in history. The very fabric of the city is like fine vintage wine. The narrow roads wind through Paris between rows of sandstony regal buildings that flank it on either side. No surprise that most of the streets are one ways then. On the other hand one would be mistaken to believe that Paris was populated by narrow and dingy alleyways--quite the opposite--there are many grand Avenues and Boulevards to which I will come to later.

After a cheery goodbye wishing us a great visit our taxi lady leaves us at the door of the Levant which is sandwiched betweeen an eaterie and a shoe shop ( later noted). The smell assualts your very senses- but in a good way- the smell of freshly made food arising from the numerous café's, crepperies and 'other' eateries that line the street.

 Our Hotel was pleasant and we had to wait a bit for our room to be ready—we were in no hurry so waited in the tastefully appointed lobby and stretched our legs!

 The room was a comfortable family room overlooking the street. Gave you a firsthand view inner city Paris, though the early morning noises of presumably garbage clearing didn’t sound like music to my ears.Must say the sounds from below didn't disturb any sleep.

Late in the afternoon we set out to explore the environs and discovered that the Notre dame was only short walk away. Whilst booking the hotel I knew Notre Dame was close but didn’t anticipate it to be this close.

  We had to cross the river Seine that meandered majestically through the city whilst offering the young and old alike an opportunity to revel in its beauty.

Notre dame is the Catholic cathedral of Paris. A picture speaks a thousand words so here are some from the Notre Dame.

An External View of the Notre dame --
Paris stone used to build this cathedral in the Gothic style

Internal view - high vaulted ceilings that are
absolutely stunning

I just loved these candles

The apparitions - Art within the cathedral walls

Back view of the Cross behind the altar

 After a quick tour of the Notre dame we decided to head back to the streets.

Our hotel was in an area called Saint Michel on the Rue de la Harpe and walking back we came across the statue of Saint Michael and its fountain –there seems to be fountains everywhere in Paris—lost count of the statues that have their very own fountain attached!

 The Saint Michel neighbourhood is famed for its variety in cuisine—from Lebanese to North African to the quintessentially French Crepes.Prior to the Haussmann renovation of Paris the Rue de la Harpe was an important street of the Latin Quarter. The Boulevard Saint-Michel then superseded it for importance and size. The rue de la Harpe to this day exists as a fine cobbled street within this small maze like group of back streets on the east side of the Boulevard Saint Michel.

After clicking away at the fountain we head for one of the numerous café's and crepperies that line the the street. The crepe is basically a very thin pancake made with great skill and a very simple topping like nutella, chocolat, strawberry jam etc. Several crepes and ice-creams later we head back to the hotel for an early night and sweet dreams.