Aspects Of Paris: Part One

For our 4 full days in Paris we tended to do a lot of walking - and that is the only way to see this beautiful city. The superb Metro will take you anywhere easily, quickly and it's spotlessly clean. We had rain every day except our last, but that didn't stop us - or the tens of thousands of other tourists - from getting around and enjoying themselves.

In this and the following blog, I'll show you aspects of the city that captured my attention and on this my fourth visit, why my heart will always have a soft spot for Paris. If you haven't been to Paris, walked its cobblestoned streets and just sat at a cafe watching the world go by, then you owe it to yourself to do so. But if that is not possible, join me as we catch a little glimpse of the magic...

First stop, Place de Vosges, the most perfectly maintained square in all of Paris

And here at the corner of the square is the home of author, Victor Hugo. As shown above, the area is filled with art galleries, fine eating and an ambiance of gentility. I could live here!

And just up the street is the monument to the Bastille. Victor only had to step outside his door to be in the thick of the action and get ideas that could later be turned into Les Miserables....

and if he wanted some fresh fruit he could purchase from this local vendor...

Now  let's cross the city by the wonderfully efficient Metro system. On the modern lines the trains are all driverless and run every 4 minutes. On Saturdays that may stretch to every 5 minutes! Super efficient means of getting about the city.

We're going to Montmatre.

 And did I say it was still raining?

A decade ago as we walked around the artist's area Colin suggested that he would like to have my portrait done by one of the artists who ply their trade here day in and day out. Finally we decided to do that. In between showers I sat for over an hour as the artist we chose reproduced me in coloured crayons. It is a very interesting feeling to imagine how others see you. As you sit the passers-by all nod, or chat or otherwise offer advice to each other - but never to the artist. It's a bit like being a celebrity who is on approval by a doubting public.

And this is the artist along with the finished result. It will now be framed and become part of Benn history.

Descending down the mount, it's still raining...

Finally today, let's have a look at the city by night...

To end the day we had a meal at a restaurant on the Left Bank where we have eaten many times before. It's been another good day.

The next blog will show more of this lovely city. It will probably be the last as we are already on the way home as I write this.