Paris 2026 - Day 6

Steps today: 25 753 / 16.98 km

Today we started with a much longer walk to breakfast and I decided to push the boat out! Croissant AND buttered baguette AND fried eggs.

It was great...  but I was starting to feel pre-full for lunch and supper. Once upon a time I could eat all this every morning without consequences but that's no longer the case. Sigh. Not enough stomach space for 3 large meals a day no matter how much I want to eat on vacation.

We started with a meander through all the covered passages...

And then a drink stop for a cognac to help push down breakfast!

Next I wanted to show Vesna the Notre Dame des Victoire Basilica. It's amazing! Floor to ceiling plaques line just about every inch!  Sadly there was a service in session so we couldn't wander around. We said we'd come back but never did. What a shame. I managed 2 quick shots, thankfully I have many from previous visits.

The rain came back out after this, so I didn't take too many pictures... I'm really not sure what was next on the agenda. I have these 2 pictures but they don't spark any memories. Did we stop for another drink? No idea.

We ducked in for a nice lunch in a lively place -  it was 2:30PM by then but I barely ate half my meal since I was still full from breakfast which was at 9:30AM

The sun was back out after lunch so we digested some more by walking around the Louvre and Tuileries Garden

After this, we took the metro over to see the Dome des Invalides

When it was time for a drink stop, I could not resist a "little bite" of cheese. My Saint Marcelin at La Coupole was such a fail I was determined for a do-over. This one was great but made me doubt my ability to have dinner later!

We walked back across the bridge to see the Eiffel Tower again - I love the clouds in this shot!

And then I wanted to show Vesna the Bouquet of Tulips art installation. It's very impressive! The hand is so life-like! complete with cuticles and beauty marks. Remarkable!

Then I had a flash: I wondered if the restauration was completed on the Sainte Trinité Church? It's been covered up for about 3 vacations now. Off we went... and HOORAY! it's finally unveiled! Beautiful. How many more vacations before I can visit the inside?

We made it to our supper destination by 7PM. Bouillon Julien. It's reputed to be the best preserved art nouveau interior in Paris.

I am not in love with the menus in Bouillons, and the quality is not the best, but it's cheap and I wanted to experience it so like good little Parisians, we got in line and waited. Line-ups are ubiquitous and this one was a "short" 45 minutes.

It was jam packed and we didn't get a table in the pretty section so yet again I got up to wander around and try and take pictures... I didn't do too badly considering I was rushing.

I started with escargots which were good but lukewarm and came with no clamps so had to hold them with my fingers.

Then steak which was really tough

The best part was the cheese for dessert

Despite the mediocre meal, I'd still go back to stare at the ceiling. We left around 10PM and there was still a line up outside!

It was about a 10 minute walk back to the room after this, but thankfully dry!

Paris 2026 - Day 5

Steps today: 21 247 / 14.01 km

It was an indirect late start to the day. We had our usual breakfast in our usual spot a little before 9, but then instead of heading out for activities straight away, we walked over to place Bastille so Vesna could check out a shop she spotted a few days before. She lucked out with the souvenir shopping because not only did she find what she was looking for there, she came across some other items in another place and also bought an umbrella which was need today because the nice sunny weather was a thing of the past.

We went back to the hotel to drop of the hoard, and then to save time took the metro instead of walking to our ultimate destination: Père Lachaise Cemetery. (Would have been a 30 minute walk in a straight line, the metro was a little more than 5 minutes - 3 stops)

Our visit lasted about 15 minutes and covered a teeny tiny sliver in the northwest corner because they had to close the cemetery due to a weather warning. Strong winds and hail. Too bad, she didn't get to see any of the notable graves.

It was drink time by then anyway. Sitting outside was out of the question so we relaxed inside and by the time we left the rain had let up a bit. It would be on and off that way all day.

Now, time for lunch and I wanted to go to Brasserie Mollard. Yet ANOTHER beautiful interior. The rain was back by then, and was it because we were so soaked that they sat us in a tucked-away corner? LOL. No matter, I still got up to wander around and take some pictures - I thought I found a good vantage point, but got shooed away and told off by a grumpy waiter undoubtedly sick and tired of dodging tourists doing the same thing all day long.

One day I'll go back and get some straighter pictures!  Still, these aren't so bad.

It was POURING rain when we left, and like a mirage I spotted this place and hoped it was a sign from my little cat back home that this would be a nice place to wait out the deluge "Little Romeo" Awww. Turns out it was a dive so we sheltered across the street instead with a glass of wine. No pictures of anything. Just the coaster. Shame on me!

Afterwards, we visited the gargantuan Eglise Madeleine

Strolled through Place de la Concorde

And ended up at Café de Flore for a drink. Too risky with this weather to sit outside!

Supper was just something snacky at the Depart Saint-Michel ....

...  and then metro back to the room. It was about 9PM when we left and the cold drizzle was back. I forget why now, but we decided not to transfer metros, instead took just one direct that would let us off about 10 minutes from the hotel and walk. It was not the nicest of walks!! BRRRR