Friday 9th September 2011 – Paris

After breakfast, we set out to get back on the Open Bus Orange Route (around the Left Bank area of Paris).  To get there we had to catch a local bus (Bus 96) to the Palais de Justice.  On the way to the bus stop, we came across this amazing market just around the corner.  Lots of fruit and veg (including an incredible range of fungi), fish (and crayfish and squid and sea snails etc) and meat (including rabbit, quail, pigeon, grouse, pig snouts and trotters, tripe etc), cheese, made up meals (lasagna etc) and a bit of clothing.  We bought some dried fruit (figs, peaches, dates) and some almonds.

Local Market

Finally got on bus 96 and headed for the city.  Got off at the Palais de Justice located in the Île de la Cité.  It is built on the site of the former royal palace of Saint Louis (hence the Palais bit), of which the Sainte Chapelle remains, and has been the site where justice has been dispensed since medieval times. From the sixteenth century to the French Revolution this was the seat of the Parliament de Paris.  The Palais also contains the ancient structure of the Conciergerie, a former prison, now a museum, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned before being executed on the guillotine. The exterior includes sculptural work by sculptor Jean-Marie Bonnassieux and is pretty amazing.

Palais de Justice

Took the complete circuit on the orange route past the University of Paris (the oldest in Europe), the Panthéon, Jardin du Luxembourg, and back through the Latin quarter before we got off near the Panthéon for lunch.  Had a salad box at Quick (a burger joint a bit like McDonald’s).  The salad we had was quite good - nearly as good as yesterday’s (only around 6€) but the meal didn’t get a lot of points for ambience (guess you get what you pay for where that is concerned).  Walked up to the Panthéon which was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve.  It now functions as a secular mausoleum containing the remains of distinguished French citizens. It is an early example of neoclassicism, with a façade modelled on the Panthéon in Rome - a pretty impressive building.

The Pantheon

We then got a sorbet/ice cream (absolutely delicious) and walked across to the Jardin du Luxemburg to eat it.  What an amazing area, over 22 hectares of gardens and chestnut grooves in the centre of Paris.  The park is the garden of the French Senate, which is itself housed in the Luxembourg Palace built for Marie dr Médicis, Henri IV’s consort.

Jardin du Luxemburg and the Senate

From there we walked through the Latin Quarter calling in at an Orange shop to sort out the email on the phone.  I received a text message which I presumed said it’s ok to go ahead and receive emails but as it’s in French it could say anything.  The man gave me a sheet with instructions on it in English.  While he helped another customer I played around for a while and got nowhere so gave the phone to him to have a go.  It took him about 5 minutes so I don’t know how they expect anyone else to do it.  That’s technology for you!  I still have to wait 48 hours before it’s activated.  Just as well the hotel has free wifi, as does quite a few cafés etc.

Found a 96 bus and headed back to the hotel.  After a bit of a rest, we went out to do a bit of shopping.  As we were on our way out we saw a group of men playing Pétanque (boules) in one of the open areas.  Bought (tissues, shoe polish, peanuts) and had dinner at a Vietnamese/Thai restaurant - quite nice.