When we left the hotel on our second day in Paris, we didn’t have a destination in mind. We just started wandering.
Then we spied Notre-Dame de Paris. Last time we visited Paris we went inside so we decided not to queue up this time. But I wanted to snap a few photos from the outside. Here are some shots along the Seine on the way to the Cathedral.
Notre-Dame
Time for lunch!
Oh is that a pub. The Great Canadian Pub and they have the French Open on the telly!
Okay, time to leave the pub and wander some more. At this point I was determined to head towards the Eiffel Tower.
Um, what do you mean the road is blocked?
This doesn’t look good. At first I was tempted to watch the rally.
All of the armed police officers gave me the willies so we headed back to the pub to watch more of the French Open.
Then we went back towards our hotel and had a late dinner.
All in all, it was a wonderful day. The next day I heard on the news that the protest had turned violent and I was happy that we made the right decision not to watch. At the time I didn’t know what it was about. I learned it was an anti-gay marriage protest. Personally I support gay marriage and rights for all. If you would like to learn more about the protest here is an article from the Independent.
50 Year Project 
Too bad it was such a grey day. Paris is a great place for walks. It’s actually quite a small town, you can easily traverse large parts of it. Today the first gay couple gets married in France. Must be a funny feeling to think back and think “We were the very first”.
The sun came out periodically, but not for long. The next day it was sunny for half of the day, however we were at the French Open and so I couldn’t get better photos in the actual city. The previous year the weather was horrible the final two days and it made both of us miserable. Rain, wind, and freezing temps. I’ll take a grey day that is still pleasant over that.
And yes, how weird to be the first couple married under the new law. I hope the protests and the violence don’t mar their special day.
Glad you stayed away from the march – it all looked very nasty and I’m with you on supporting the issue. You walked miles in all directions…which area did you stay in? My favourite is Le Marais.
we stayed in the Latin Quarter and loved the location. Last year we were too far out, but I can’t remember what section we were in. I saw the protest footage on the tv and it got nasty. I support free speech and all that, but not violence. I’m glad we didn’t get involved.
Lovely area and you were wise to steer clear.
Beautiful account of your walk TBM. Always nicer and more relaxed on a return trip isn’t it? We will be back in Paris this July…can’t wait 🙂
There is less pressure to “do things” on a repeat visit. I felt like we got a better feel of the city by being more relaxed. Enjoy your time in July. I hope you have blue skies and warmer weather.
I’m glad you stayed safe too :). Looks like a perfectly wonderful day of wandering. Now I really want to go there!! Great picture by the way :).
Have you been to Paris? I was under the impression that you visited the last time you where in England. No?
Nope, I’ve only had one trip over the pond with my son’s school, and we went to London and The Netherlands. That trip definitely gave me the travel bug though :).
Then I recommend Paris! However, I always recommend more travel so you may not want to listen to me
Of course I want to listen to you – I just have to find some more money too :).
Try looking in the couch cushions. I found some there last week.
LOL!! Never any loose change hanging around our house because my hubby hoards it for his trips to the casino. He has a jar that every bit of change goes into, and then he periodically rolls it. He’s quite obsessed with change actually :).
He actually rolls it. I used to do that when I was a kid, but haven’t considered it for years. The bad part about finding change in my home is that it was mine in the first place. I’m not “making” any money. I used to find lots of change on my walks to work in Boston. Mike would have loved it.
For him it’s a forced savings. He never spends any of his change. He’s funny that way :).
Well he’s dedicated. I like that. I was thinking about your trip and I think you should add Barcelona to the itinerary. Spend three days there, two to three in Paris, then London, then Scotland.
Holy crap, do you think I’m made of money?!?! LOL
Mike knows how to save and to hit it big at the casino.
Hey, wait a minute!! I’m the one who won big at the casino last weekend :).
I suggest working as a team. And don’t spend the winnings! How’s the car? Any word from the insurance? I feel terrible about that.
Nothing yet, but hopefully we will hear from them today. The appraiser was out to look at the car yesterday but hadn’t sent his report to the insurance company yet. I’m on pins and needles because I really want them to fix it. If they write it off, you never get enough money from them to replace it with the equivalent car!! Plus not this weekend but next we have to go to a wedding 4 hours away with 5 of us in the car, and my car is the perfect size for a tall family. It has tons of leg room. I don’t really want to have to take the rental car for that. Oh well, we will see what they say. Thanks for asking by the way. I appreciate it :).
I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
I’ve go the “I Love Paris” song stuck in my head now. Which is quite alright, I love that song. 🙂
When I look at your posts I am inspired to be better about taking my camera with me and getting more pictures whenever I am out and about.
Careful Carl, once you start carrying your camera you will never want to leave it behind. Certain people may get annoyed–I won’t name names. Miles actually barks at the camera now.
A perfect way to vacation in a city like Paris….just wandering, no organized day or tour. Great photos.
Paris is such a vibrant city and taking more time observing and less time running around let me enjoy it more.
It’s awesome that you show us these historical buildings, cultural centers, riot police, and traffic….and of course, i have to ask about the beer. Moosehead is well known here in the desert southwest for having a skunky flavor….. due to the green glass and our ever present sunshine? Perhaps. Is it so in France and/or England?
I didn’t notice a skunky flavor, but it had a strong smell for me. I should be honest, I only drank half of it and the better half finished it. That, however, is not unusual. When in London I usually order half pints.
Wow, glad you left that protest! Had no idea the French were so opposed.
I’ve only been in Paris in the summer, so never saw gray skies or rain. I later learned that the climate is very similar to London’s, which surprised me. But even with gray skies, Paris is stunning. We stayed near Notre Dame one time, so those photos brought back memories.
I do hope next time we get blue skies the entire time. I think the church is more opposed from what I read. It’s a shame it got violent. Voices should be heard from all sides but I can’t support violence. I loved staying near Notre dame, fantastic area
I loved the shots of Notre Dame but I must say I spent the most time examining your pictures of lunch 🙂
I was quite pleased with the lunch spot we found.
Nobody asked the important question! Who did you watch at the French Open? I’ve realised that I’ll be visiting my daughter in Nottingham the weekend of the finals. That’s a near tragedy! Or it will be if Rafa gets there. She doesn’t have the sports channels…(:
I saw Rafa play! I’ll share more about the Open tomorrow. Can you find a sports pub nearby?I can’t recall all the times we’ve scoured cities for places to watch tennis and football.
Stoppit! In Faro recently the Rome Masters was playing on an overhead TV in a very swish cocktail bar, but I was so taken with the place I didn’t see it till we were on our way out. (it was Murray, who subsequently withdrew)
My daughter would have NO tolerance for that and I’m going for a special event, so I’ve had it! I’ll have to settle for getting my husband to record it- not the same at all, and this is SUCH an important French Open.
A few years back we had a friend record the Wimbledon final while we were out of town. I thought it would be easy in Honduras to avoid coverage of the final. I saw the score when I opened my email. At the airport the better half saw a headline on a sports magazine. Be careful so you don’t find out. And I hope you have a wonderful time with your daughter. That’s the important part.
Was looking at booking Paris recently but only wanted a short break and decided Paris needed longer – so have booked Bruge. Really looking forward to going to Paris but think it needs a bit longer than an extended weekend.
Great pics.
Lynn 😀
I do hope you write about Bruge. I haven’t been there yet, but I want to go.
It does look very picturesque and I’m really looking forward to it. I love short breaks. I can’t wait to visit Paris. Maybe look in December!
Lynn 😀
I do hope you go. Paris is wonderful! Can’t wait to hear about Bruges.
I love Paris. I went there for the first time last summer and had such a fun time! The history, the architecture. I thought it would be larger, but it’s very doable moving underground.
Paris is a very walk able city and the underground is not only convenient but not as pricey as some cities. I can’t wait to go back.
The best way to explore a city, no map, just wander around. Great shot !
I’m learning that. It’s tempting to try to see it all, but how much do we miss running around ticking things off a list.
I had to laugh at the “do not” sign. Hard to imagine a sign had to be put up to stop it! LOL Lots of beautiful shots, thanks for taking us along.
And the do not only shows men. Does it apply to all?
Oh, those oysters…those yummy looking oysters…my mouth is watering!
Thanks for taking us along on your day. Glad you had a wonderful time.
I’m not an oyster fan, but the better half said they were delicious and they looked tempting. very tempting.
Thank you for the wonderful tour. This is probably the closest I will get to Paris.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
And you have taken me on some wonderful tours of the Grand Canyon, a place I would love to see, but not sure I’ll get there.
Was that a photo of one of those love locks outside of Notre Dame? I’ve heard that these have become common all around the world, though I’ve not seen any here in NYC.
I had to laugh at the Moosehead Canadian beer. When I was in Canada last month, I wanted to get some Moosehead Canadian beer at the hockey game (or even Labatt’s) but they only sold Coors Light in the entire arena. But the joke was on us because it cost $11 for that Coors Light. Ha.