We took advantage of the beautiful weather today and spent our time walking in different parts of Paris. Paris is like a collection of little villages and wandering the charming neighborhoods is one of the best ways to experience them.
After having an amazing pan au chocolate for breakfast, I walked in the Tuilerie Gardens while Paul finished a little work. Created in 1564 by Catherine de Medici, the beautiful garden in the heart of Paris is a popular spot to walk, run, and relax.
I saw people getting their breakfast crepes at a little stand.
One of the things I love about Paris is finding beautiful little parks in unexpected places. As I walked the beautiful Tuileries, I noticed sweet little parks along the side of the gardens.
Anchoring one end of the Tuileries, Place de la Concorde is a beautiful and historic site. The obelisk at the center is more than 3,000 years old and was a gift from Egypt in the 19th century. The guillotine stood in this square during the French Revolution.
It was hard to get a clear view of the obelisk because workers were putting up huge white tents for the Salon d’Automne international art festival. Held in Paris since 1903, the festival first introduced Impressionism to a wider audience.
Lovely Day on the Seine
I first read about Le Zouave de l’Alma in Jo and Patricia’s Spiritual Connections newsletter and wanted to find it when we were in Paris. Built in 1856, the stone statue depicts a Zouave, a soldier in a French military unit associated with North Africa. The Zouave of the Alma bridge is a beloved Paris landmark and an unofficial indicator of flooding on the Seine.
Paul had finished his work, so he joined me and we walked to the Alma Bridge. We found Le Zouave under the bridge on the Right Bank. When the Seine River reaches his feet, it signifies significant flooding. Now , he is an informal flood indicator because the bridge was rebuilt in 1970, and his position changed.
It was a quintessential beautiful Paris day. People walked along the Seine and lunched on the steps.
Dinner at a Favorite Place
Ever since we discovered Evi Evian, a Greek restaurant in the Saint-Germaine-des-Pres area of Paris a few trips ago, we return when we are in Paris. I especially love going there because they have a delicious mushroom moussaka.
When we there two years ago we met the manager, Ibrahim. We enjoyed talking with him and learning about his homeland, Tunisia. Tonight when we arrived we were so happy to see he was still there.
He had time to chat, and it was so great to hear about his life during the last two years. When we told him we were too full for dessert, he insisted on bringing us something light. He brought us this amazing dessert of pressed brioche, vanilla cream, chantilly cream and chopped pistachios. It wasn’t light, but it was delicious.
After dinner we walked around the lively Saint-Germaine-des-Pres area and then took the metro back to our hotel.