Thursday, April 21 we wanted to hit up places we hadn’t managed to get to yet. We started the morning with a little splurge, breakfast at Carette in Place des Vosges. It’s probably the most beautiful and the most famous Place (square) in Paris. It’s only about a 3 minute walk from our apartment.

After a quick trip to the store afterwards for some necessities we dropped them off and headed for the Left Bank to look for books at Shakespeare & Co., a bookstore that has English language books. Too bad they didn’t have what I wanted.

This was taken from the Right Bank towards Ile de la Cité, the island where Notre Dame is located.

We headed back for the Right Bank in search of a pet store I have gone into on every other trip to Paris. I couldn’t let trip #7 go by without seeing the cute puppies. Unfortunately the store no longer appears to be there. We continued to walk and eventually reached the Louvre. We didn’t go in and have no plans to on this trip.

Eiffel Tower spotting
The Louvre is a huge former palace. This is just a small part of it.

We walked on to the Tuileries. On this beautiful, sunny day it was perfect for soaking up some rays and appreciating the beauty of it.

Walking from the Louvre to the Tuileries
Kicking back in comfy chairs at a fountain
The lawn mower was hard at work

It was time to move on to something else we had neglected to see in our first 4 days in Paris…the Eiffel Tower. We went to the Trocadero first for the best view from across the river.

We then crossed the river for a close up. I’m sorry we did. It’s all blockaded off with clear glass panels. Presumably for security reasons. I understand it, but don’t like it. Unless you have a ticket to go up you can no longer get too close. I’m happy I was able to see it in the before times.

The dog’s shades match the fur

On we went to see more on our way to a late lunch. We know we weren’t having dinner tonight. We saw these while walking to lunch.

This building was covered with living plants
This is at Pont de Alma. It’s a replica of the flame on the Statue of Liberty. This is the bridge where Princess Diana died and there was a handwritten sign to memorialize that.
Bouquinistes near Notre Dame

Time for lunch on I’lle Saint-Louie. We enjoyed dining under the trees at Le Flore en I’lle, just opposite from Notre Dame. As we approached we saw there were satellite trucks and a heavy law enforcement presence, so we weren’t sure what was happening. After we were seated at the table we could hear drums in the distance. Soon we saw the beginnings of a parade that was being filmed, presumably by news stations. Men of all ages in military uniforms marched across the bridge and over to the rear of Notre Dame. Unfortunately I took a video which I can’t post here and didn’t get any pictures.

It was time to get to yet another evening gathering. I’ve never met up with so many people in Paris before. This should be the last group event of the trip. It was a good time. The restaurant was closed for this private party. I think everyone enjoyed it.