We get some croissants and a juice from the Boulangerie and wait for our clothes to wash and dry. While waiting we stroll along the Canal St Martin. It's interesting up in this area. Quite boho with its designer stores and cafes but the canal itself is rather lame compared to the magic of the Seine. Still it's a pleasant Sunday morning stroll.
We finish our washing and head back to replenish the underwear supply and start our day in Paris. We head down into the Marais area again. We resist the temptation to get another falafel pocket and instead get in line for a savoury crepe, well sim lines up while I sit and mind a table watching the crepe maker. This guy is awesome. He's a one man show, cooking two crepes at a time, collecting money and cleaning the cooking equipment. He's methodical and precise. His demeanour is funny too, telling customers to move aside once they've ordered doing so with a whistle and then a wave of his flat crepe knife. He has seemingly what appears a friendly conversation to a French female customer but it still sounds hostile. I think this guy might be France's version of the soup nazi, "The crepe nazi". After a good 15minute wait our crepes get cooked and they're awesome. So delicious. The crepe is very thin. Mine has egg in between the layers and all the fillings too, cheese, ham, olives, grilled capsicum and more cheese. Yum. Comes with a nice mint tea too.
We stroll up to the haute Marais (upper side). There's lots of things happening on the streets today, people in parks, musicians and street buskers. The cafes are chockers. It's a great atmosphere. We head to visit Ol mate Pablo at the newly refurbished Museé Picasso.
The exhibition is interesting particularly the temporary part which looks at his sculptural work, a lot we haven't seen before. In the last month alone I feel like I've seen more Picasso work than many see in a lifetime. His sculptures are impressive. I'll say one thing about Picasso, he was prolific. Would seem he didn't live a day without doing something. Incredible man.
The space itself is very interesting too. An enjoyable gallery visit.
We head out and wander the streets of the haute Marais, looking at all the eclectic shops and fashion boutiques. There's a sort of festival atmosphere in the air too. France are playing Ireland in the football and the bistros are packed with parochial French fans. They're not as drunk as the British though. Much more civilised.
We stroll some more, wandering into a second hand bookstore which has some great design and architecture books. Many in French but a few in English. We head out again to rue de Rivoli and make our way for ice cream at Berthillon. Along the way the streets erupt with noise from the bistros. Griezman has just scored. A few minutes later and there's another roar. He's done it again. The delight and excitement is great to see.
We make our way to Ile Saint Louis and this time sit inside Maison Berthillon, ordering from the dessert menu. I honestly love this place. The salted caramel gelato here is one of the best things ive ever eaten. Amazing!
We head over into the Latin quarter briefly, strolling up boulevard St Germain. We head to check out Dyptique for sim but it's closed on Sunday's. We then end up on the Saint Severin which is full of bars and cheap eateries. It's absolutely pumping after the French victory. Heading out into the main road along the river and people are tooting car horns, cheering and waving flags. This city will go crazy if they win the whole thing.
We head over the Ponte des Artes, rudely brushing aside the gypsies with their clipboard petitions for you to sign. The bridge itself has changed since last time. They've gotten rid of the keychain balustrade fencing and all the love locks that were attached to them and replaced it with clear glass. Interesting. Sims not a fan.
We head into the Tulleries for a walk. It's a lazy sunny Sunday afternoon now, cue the Kinks. The grand scale of this area is great. I'm loving seeing Paris in summer. The formal gardens are filled with people relaxing and playing on the lawns. The informal casual seating around the fountains are packed with people too. It's one of the things I was looking forward to seeing and doing when coming here in summer.
Along with all the crowds though come the hawkers. Here in Paris they predominantly seem to be of North African decent. Most seem to be selling different size mini Eiffel Tower souvenirs. They each have hundreds of them. 5 for €1 they say. Why? Who needs or more to the point wants 5 little Eiffel towers? My mind wanders to the factory where this crap is being made. A production line of junk Eiffel towers made in China churned out but the hundred thousand a day, only to be sold to Chinese tourists in Paris for what, €1? Crazy! To think that the tower itself was only meant to be temporary.
One man approaches us and says Bonjour. Looking up I immediately say no thanks, waving my arms with the "no deal" gesture. He replies in English, "I was just saying hello" to which i reply "sorry but j just don't want one of those" pointing to the coloured red white and blue thread he is holding. Sim laughs as we walk off. Was quite rude on my part but as you may appreciate I'm over hawkers and scammers.
We leave the Tulleries at the place de la Concorde and head up into the Madeleine where we catch the metro back to Republique. My feet are killing. Been s pretty epic walk. Nonetheless it really is the best way to see Paris.
We have a short rest before heading out for dinner to the not so faraway Vietnamese place Le Petit Cambodge. Sim has an awesome vermicelli and vegetable soup while i have the bobun with prawns. Yummy.
It feels good to eat something other than rich food for a change. Makes you realise how diverse our food options are in Sydney. Our diets are used to a good mix of lighter Asian meals I think.
Another busy day of exploring Paris. Today felt great. Was like being a citizen of the city, soaking it up and leisurely wandering the streets, boulevards and bridges. A day where we lived the 'Flaneur' of Paris.
mat + sim
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