Easy Sunday

Today being Sunday, Dad and Bertha headed to mass at Notre Dame. They thoroughly enjoyed the mass which was presented in several languages.

Tom, Kim, Syd and I headed to a Farmer's Market on Blvd Raispel. Very much like the farmers markets back home. In addition to fruits and vegetables, we picked up baguettes and cheeses and munched on crepes.

By the time we returned, Dad and Bertha were back from mass. After a brief rest, Dad, Tom, Kim and I headed to the Palais du Luxemborg. I was there yesterday with Bertha but the camera chip malfunctioned when trying to download the shots, so I was very eager to go back. Since the building is only open to the public once a year, Tom, Dad, and Kim decided to tour as well. The crowd was much heavier today than yesterday, but there were no hassles which I found unusual in such a large gathering.

We cleared security and strolled across the Cour d'Honneur. Once inside we went up the Escalier d'Honneur, passed the Chambre de la Reine, Salon des Messagers e'Etat and into the Bibliotheque (which has a great view of the the Jardin du Luxemborg). The tour continued through the Salle des Seances and the Salle des Conferences into the Salon Victor Hugo (which was recently restored). This lead us into Annexe de la Bibliotheque where the photo on the right (Dad, Tom, and Kim resting) was taken. The tour contined through quite a few more rooms, including Salle du Livre d'Or. One day I will complete the translation of the flyer to truly understand what we saw! The inside of the Palais was stunning with all the gold and marble. A true monument to French granduer, and it wasn't a movie set!

After a second rest at the apartment, Tom took Kim and Syd to dinner. Dad, Bertha and I had supper in then headed out for a late night stroll. We headed down Blvd St Germain, cut through an alley that deposited us near Rue Seine. After walking a short distance, we cut through an archway which placed us directly in front of Institue de France. We crossed the Pont de Artes and strolled a bit admiring a building, wondering what the magnificent structure was. Turned out to be the Louvre! I can't wait to go!