| Thursday, 23 May 2002: Paris -- Notre Dame -- Sainte Chappelle -- Arc de Triomphe |
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We're not so quick to rise, grab our becoming-usual rolls for breakfast, and head for today's destination -- Ile de Paris. Groggy Carol, suffering from withdrawal after days of abstenance, makes an emergency stop for some coffee. After the archeological museum in front, we venture into Notre Dame Cathedral -- noting a headless St. Denis among the statues in front as we enter. As we start looking around this impressive cathedral, we hear a choir warming up, and by the time we make our way to the back, they've begun to sing, so we park ourselves and are treated to a free concert by an 18 member mixed chorus. In the midst of their program of predominantly chants was a brisk tune 'Gaudete Maria.' We passed on the tower since the line was over an hour long, and walked around the outside, taking some pictures of the gargoyles from below. Follow this link to more photos from in and around Notre Dame Cathedral |
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| The Deportation Memorial was already closed for lunch, so we cross to Ile Ste. Louis for a lunch of crepes and soup -- YUM! We walk back across the bridge -- the Memorial is still closed -- and still a long wait at the tower, so we head to Sainte Chappelle. We enter the beautiful blue basement (crypt) and upstairs to a bright chapel with blue porcelain walls and intricate stained glass -- and on a bright sunny day -- what a delightful surprise! The benches in this narrow chapel allow you to sit and admire the wall and windows on the other side, or the ceiling, if you crane your neck as long as you can bear. |
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Follow this link to more photos from in and around Sainte Chappelle |
| On our way to La Samaritaine (Dept Store) we walk by the Palace de Justice and stop by the Conciergerie for a short (HA!) visit that got as long as this place got interesting -- we see Marie Antoinette's cell and that of the Girondins -- another surprise. At La Samaritaine, we're disappointed in our search for batteries for the camera, but delighted with the great view of the city their roof (below, see the view in each direction). |
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| Stopping at a camera store on the way to Printemps, we are directed to Monoprix where we finally find some batteries that we can use in the camera. It's late afternoon now, and we come upon a banc d'exchange with internet service -- so C checks email and J goes across the street to an ATM for cash before we leave Paris. After a short ride on the Metro, we get off at Charles de Gaulle Etoile to see the Arc de Triomphe. Crossing the many streets to get around to the other side -- jumping in the middle of traffic to get a good photo -- and then around for the passageway to the middle. Shortly after we arrive, a horde of police chase all of the tourists aside for a ceremonial laying of flowers by children and veterans wearing medals at the 'soldats inconnu' (unknown soldiers) memorial -- another surprise treat! |
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| Follow this link to more photos from in and around Arc de Triomphe |
| We head back to the hotel and, after a long, fruitless hike, end up at the same Le Bosquet restaurant as last night, and receive a hearty welcome from yesterday's waiter. After another great dinner, we head back to our hotel to prepare for the next day. |
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