Blog for Day 6 - Tuesday April 14th, 2009

We seem unable to get out of bed early, but were on the street yesterday at about 11:30am. Stopped at a Patisserie in the Marais for two croissants to go and set off in search of Paris' bike borrowing/rental system - Velib. What a great system. 1 Euro for a 1 day pass, 5 Euro for a week. Then when you take a bike from the automated system, it tracks the amount of time you use the bike until it is deposited at another station. All electronic and automated. We decided to give it a try - maybe it would be a nice change from walking, and would help get us to our destination faster.

Although we did enjoy the change, biking in a foreign country, on busy roads that are not familiar to us was a challenge. Also, once we got to the Bastille (the beginning of our Marais "Paris walk", we had trouble finding a station to drop the bikes off at. Passed one which was full - how frustrating, no empty spaces to return! However, it was a cool experience and we are glad to have done it.

Stopped for a very nice lunch at a place called Bistro Chez Oscar. Followed our "Paris Walks" to Place de Vosges. The homes around the square used to be a mansion, then later Victor Hugo lived in one of the homes there as well. Found a gorgeous courtyard garden at Musee Carnavalet and a lovely courtyard at Hotel de Sully, which is off of Place de Vosges.

Walked over the Pompidou. Sat in the front square for a while, people watching and viewing the outside of the building. Off again to view the interior of Notre Dame. I kept picturing the Hunchback of Notre Dame in the towers, and priests swinging incense up and down the aisles.

Stopped for ice cream at Berthillon - which afterwards we realized is the famous ice cream stop in Paris. Delicious!!!

We then saw the less visited but equally or more beautiful, Sainte Chappelle. Had to go through security as it's located in the centre of the Palais Justice (Police/government buildings). The upper level of the church is stunning! You enter off the main level and it was a bit disappointing, until we went up the staircase to the top floor where we were surrounded by stained glass windows which tell the whole story of Christ. The main level was used only by slaves and workers, where the top was reserved for royalty. The rose window was even more beautiful than Notre Dame's.

Stopped by the Marche Fleur, flower market, to pick up a bouquet for our apartment. 8 Euros, and we met this sweet kitty that made us miss Milo even more.

Took the Metro back to the apartment for a snack of baguette, meat and cheese before heading over to Pont Neuf for our evening Seine River cruise. Were nervous we wouldn't make it on the open air level because a huge group of school children arrived at the same time as us, but we pushed our way forward and made it with plenty of seats available. The cruise was a nice way to get an overview of the main attractions. It was a bit of a foggy/smoggy evening so some of the photos aren't as crisp as I would have liked.

I was exhausted but Manaen had a taste of the Eiffel tower from the boat, and we caught it sparkling at 9pm, so we took the Metro over to Iena station and walked to Trocadero to see the tower at night from across the river. It was gorgeous and nice to sit and watch. We happened to be there by 10pm and caught another sparkle show! (see video - I will try to upload but seem to be having problems getting photos etc. up). The water jets at Trocadero didn't go off, which we were hoping for, but it was stunning without them. (Does anyone know when the water show happens??)

Back to the apartment to wind down and off to bed.