Paris 2026 - Day 3

Steps today: 24 065 / 15.87 km

Another sunny morning, we're so lucky!

The idea again for breakfast was to walk until we got hungry...  but we did have a coffee right around the corner.

We admired the 2 ancient gates nearby

The Renaissance Theater and Parisian Flat Iron building (a.k.a. Pointe Trigano)

The supremely ugly Cairo Passage, the exit is the nicest part - because you're leaving!

Then a visit to the Église Saint-Eustache. The pictures can't convey how HUMONGOUUUUUSSS it is

We finally made it to the Seine, Pont Neuf, and breakfast.

A little detour to the Square du Vert-Galant

And then a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral

Most people have positive things to say about the renovations, but I felt like all the character had been white-washed away. It was too clean!

Next was lunch where we whittled away a good 2 hours just enjoying the weather

More wandering after lunch took us past City Hall, The Tour St Jacques, and the popular entrance to Place Royal Metro Station.

Then the Palais Royal

The Galeria Colbert

The Pompidou Center

And finally to Place des Voges

We stopped for a drink under the arches to kill time until our dinner reservation.

Supper was at Bofinger where I ate in 2012 and have been wanting to go to back every since. 

I wanted a seat with a view of the glass ceiling, and this time I got it. Yeah!

We walked back to the room after this, too full for a nightcap!  I also tried getting some night pictures of the July Column in Place Bastille but I never quite got the settings right.

We probably got back to the hotel by about 9ish.  It was great!

Paris 2026 - Day 2

Steps today: 24 270 / 16.01 km

This morning we decided to walk until the breakfast urge hit. Once we found a sunny spot, we settled in.

The place filled up fast! The nice sunny Sunday morning seemed to have gotten everyone out, so much so that it took FOREVER to get the waitress' attention to pay the bill. As nice as it was we vowed not to return because it turned into a time thief; we referred to it all week as "The place where we got trapped for breakfast"

It was about 10:30 when we left, and we enjoyed some of the beautiful architecture Paris has to offer.

Next was the atrium of the Samaritaine. I wonder was the ratio of shoppers to gawkers is?

Then across Ile de la Cité to have a drink at Deux Palais (no pictures of it, damn)

More wandering on the way to lunch...

...  finally making it to my favourite chain: Le Relais de l'Entrecôte.  Long line-ups here are de rigueur, and today's was very quick! what luck!

Next was a visit of the Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés just a few steps away - it blows my mind that it's about a thousand years older than Notre Dame and the colourful post renovation interior is just amazing. I never tire of seeing it.

Next, time for a drink stop at Les Deux Magot across the street

...  and then more Church Admiring at Saint Sulpice

Our heads were on swivels, the architecture in Paris is just amazing! Whether it's the second or tenth time I have seen some of these sights, they never fail to impress me.

Next was the Luxembourg Gardens, always impressive even though the flower beds weren't in full bloom yet.

For supper we went to the Bouillon Chartier Montpanasse. I have been there a few times when it was the restaurant "Montparnasse 1900" and I wanted Vesna to see the beautiful interior. I have to say I am not thrilled that it was turned into a Bouillon because I preferred the other menu more...  but the interior did not disappoint. My pictures are a little wonky because it was packed to the brim and I was trying to shoot over people's heads.

My meal was just ok but I can't complain. Bouillons are known for being cheap, not gourmet.

After supper, I thought having a drink and dessert at La Coupole would be nice. Another nice interior to show Vesna. 

It was a fail. We were relegated to the deserted annex, my Saint Marcelin cheese which is supposed to be runny was too solid, and the bread was old.  Subpar for this place, that's what made it such a disappointment. I got up to take a picture of the place, but I seemed to always be in someone's way and The Perfect Shot eluded me.

We probably got back to the room by about 945ish...  two fantastic days in a row!