Day 19: July 29 - Our Last Day in Paris!

On our last day of vacation in Paris, which happened to be a Sunday, we found a Scottish Presbyterian Church for worship that morning, so we traveled back to the Champs-Elysées near the Grand Palais to the church.  This was a building we saw along the way with many beautiful flowers in front of the windows.

This is a photo of the front gate to the church building.  I didn't feel right taking a photo of the sanctuary inside, but feel free to visit their website and have a look at their photos yourself!

After some fellowship following the worship service, we meandered in the direction of the Musée d'Orsay and enjoyed the beautiful sights and weather along the way.

 Quick shot on a bridge over the Seine.

L'Hôtel des Invalides.

Nice pillar on the bridge.

Me with L'Hôtel in the background.

Le Grand Palais.

Another river shot.

Carolyn in front of the Assemblée Nationale.

Entrance to Musée d'Orsay.

Inside the Musée d'Orsay on the highest level inside looking out at the city through a giant clock face.

Another picture looking through the clock face out at the city.  Sacré Coeur is barely visible on the left.

And yet another one.

A bit closer on the Sacré Coeur.

A photo of us on the roof of the museum.

A photo of the length of the main area of the museum.

A smaller scale model of Lady Liberty.

Rue de L'Université, where Julia Child once had an apartment. 
(Carolyn read her book, 'My Life in France', during our trip.)

Two famous cafes:  Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots.

Time to procure some macaroons from Pierre Herme!

A ferocious lion guards a cathedral.

Who does that pigeon think he is?

We had a little spare time before we had to arrive at the restaurant for our dinner reservations, so since we were back in Montmartre, we headed back up to the Sacré Coeur for a view of the city before nightfall.

Good thing we had our umbrellas!

At Le Grand 8, one of the waitresses brought the whole placard inside and set it on a chair next to us so we could read the choices.  We needed help deciphering it, but settled on some tasty options.

For the entrées, Carolyn had roasted tomatoes and mozzarella and I had a mushroom tart atop some greens.

For the plats, Carolyn had fowl and I had rabbit.  We had a nice white wine too.

We finished off with pot au chocolate et deux café crémes!

Looking at the city in the rain through the restaurant window.  I think other customers began to complain of feeling chilly, so we had to shut the windows...maybe it's that thing they have about drafts.

The dessert menu

The dough we left.

There I am looking out the window at the city lights.

There's Carolyn with part of the restaurant in the background.

After dinner, we strolled back for a final view of the city

Sacré Coeur at night (close up!)

Paris at night (Tour Montparnasse is visible in the center)

Another of the city

Descending the stairs from the Sacré Coeur.

Looking up from the bottom of the stairwell we had to climb at the end of each day (at least 85 steps).

 Bon nuit Paris!  Nous t'aimons!

Day 18 - July 28: Marche aux Puces & Arc du Triomphe

Le Marche aux Puces (Flea Market) is probably the largest in Paris.  It was just about a 25 minute walk from our apartment.  We went to find a mug to replace the one we broke at the apartment where we stayed.  And also just to look around.  

There was so much antique china, cutlery, furniture, books, etc.  People didn't seem to be trying to sell their stuff.  They just sat in chairs reading papers at their booth, waiting for someone to show interest in purchasing something.  I'd like to go back here sometime to find something for myself because we were trying not to buy too much since our luggage was already full on the way over here!

Picked up a baguette to make a quick lunch at the apartment.

Then took the Metro to Place de la Concorde to begin our walk along the Champs Elysees.

Silly shots while walking.

King Tut on a bench.

Le Grand Palais.

Le Petit Palais.

Back on Les Champs Elysees toward l'arc.

Getting closer!

We're here!  

After getting this shot, we had to cross the huge roundabout via underground tunnel for closer views.

 

 Tim loved taking pictures of all the sculptures and stonework on the Arc.

Then he took a moment to stretch those legs.  So much walking!

Planning our route home for dinner!

As we were getting ready to leave, some military personnel started setting up for a service.  I'm not sure what it was all about, but here are a couple pictures from it.

View of Le Metro.

Des desserts!  We stopped at a Patisserie near the apartment to get dessert for after dinner (which we were making ourselves).  We got Tarte Amandin (almond tart), Trois Chocolate (chocolate cake) and Bavaroise Fruit Rouges (raspberry & fruit layer cake).  They were all tasty, but I think we liked the chocolate the best!