Paris

Our journey from London to our Paris accommodation went smoothly. We are staying in the 9th Arrondissement in a mainly residential area. Our apartment is spacious and comfortable. It is a family home that is rented out on AirBnB. Diane booked it and she found a winner even if the floor isn’t exactly level.
Neil and I decided to discover the 9th Arrondissement on foot, it was wonderful to see the families going about their weekend activities, discover wide avenues of beautiful apartments that are car free, the children were playing football and enjoying the 27 degree heat. Their innumerable cafe’s, all doing a roaring trade, people slowly going about their day. We wandered until we reached the covered passages “passages couverts”of Paris. We enjoyed Passage des Panoramas, Passage Jouffroy & Passage Verdeau,they have spectacular glass roofs, Art Nouveau and Art Deco decor, many cafe’s, jewellery, book shops, art, and stamp shops. They are essentially an early form of shopping arcade built between existing buildings. Massive iron gates or wooden doors at each end get closed and locked each night.
In this area the French ladies are well dressed, stylish and slim. They carry themselves so well, some people could say arrogant but personally I think it is confidence. How they remain so slim with all the Boulangerie’s about I do not know. Delicious croissants in many varieties, au pain chocolate, baguette, apple tarts and so much more.
Bouillon Pigalle - we spotted a lineup outside a building so I googled it, it was a restaurant. Apparently popular choice for travellers seeking a taste of traditional French cuisine at affordable prices, it must be good as the line was long waiting to get in. Restaurant Chartier also had a lineup, another restaurant that does not take reservations serving traditional French cuisine at an affordable price. Might have to try one of them out during our stay.
Temp here in Paris is 27, perfect, glad it isn’t 37 as it was last week!Read more