Paris Behind the Scenes

 

Friday morning started out with a walk from our hotel to the Seine River. The whole day was really quite a behind the scenes tour of Paris. No more crowds, our walking routes focused on the everyday streets with people walking to and fro their jobs, passing car service stations, laundromats, little markets and shops, and lots and lots of apartments. We were able to walk right alongside the Seine and it was pretty much only occupied by runners training for marathons and there were an equally number of impressive boats and ships to keep David entertained. 

We’ve really been blessed with beautiful weather, I think it went to 23 yesterday and we haven’t once had to wear our raincoats as we had predicted when we left Winnipeg. After David’s walk along the Seine was fulfilled we decided to aim for a walk to Notre Dame Cathedral. Even though it wasn’t open yet after the dreadful fire a few years ago, we thought it would be neat to see the whole thing from a little closer vantage point. Try though we might, it turned out that every step we thought was taking us closer to the Cathedral, was really not, so we abandoned that idea after about 90 minutes. 

We changed direction, literally, and headed out to see the Marmottan Monet Museum. Someone had highly recommended this museum as a chance to get up close to the Monet paintings. The museum was hosting an exhibit in honour of the Paris Olympic Games—artists who were painting athletic scenes over the centuries. An interesting and surprising exhibit for all to see. Located in a beautiful old townhome, the museum holds two floors of impressionist paintings and other special exhibits. It is a long way from the centre of the city and one would guess that is why it’s not as busy as other galleries and museums. 

Apartment towers have trees on their roofs, but now the barges and ships do, as well. 

An old-time Esso Station. Yes, they do exist. 

Fresh Fruit anyone? 

One never tires of the beautiful architecture on display.
 

Of course David’s preferred view is one with a boat in it, too!

Photographers aim for the perfect shot from every vantage point. 

I’m not sure how easy it is to see, but this was a beauty of an old classic wooden boat. This one’s for you Dan!

What a beautiful way to start the day!

The museum is in a very warm and welcoming neighbourhood on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne and is  very family oriented. It also happens to be where many of the key sporting venues for the Games are located. We walked past football and soccer stadiums, a cycling velodrome, courts for massive tennis matches. Paris is certainly abuzz getting ready for The Games. Stands for spectators are springing up all over the city. We speculated on what was happening at each of the designated zones. We came out of the museum and spent a few moments orienting ourselves on where we were in a park called the Jardin du Ranelagh. A gorgeous park with no vehicles allowed, kids running and playing everywhere, beautiful gardens sprouting up, majestic old trees. It really was quite lovely. 

Heading out for dinner, we walked out of our hotel and were welcomed by the sounds of jazz music playing down the street, except it wasn’t a band, it turned out to be a local busker performing on his trumpet. Everyone in the area was smiling—not too hard to take. 

This really was our favourite day so far—getting a good glimpse of the everyday life for Parisiens.