What can I say - just another PERFECT Day in Paris. The morning started with a metro (underground) trip from Place Leon Blum to inner Paris. We wanted to wander the Marais and St Paul districts to relive some memories of our last trip. We also had Ashley with us to share the walk. We did however start with a tour of the Paris opera House opened in 1875.The
opulence of the place is mind boggling with ceiling frescos, gold statuesque chandeliers, and velvet covered seating. Although the auditorium was closed to the public, I managed to sneak up some spiral staircases high in the back stalls and grab a photo.The Theatre National de L’Opera was the scene for
Phantom of the Opera and one can imagine some of the scenes from the stage show after walking thru this magnificent building.Across the road is Galleries Lafayette where they have all the designer labels although my designs were on the fabulous lunch they offer in their cafeteria. Reminiscent of the Myer Cafeteria, this
one offers excellent meals at reasonable prices. I had grilled salmon, washed down with a carafe of Rose and Limencello and café/mocca ice cream - yummmmmmm.After lunch it was up to the open top floor to survey the Paris skyline. All the famous landmarks are on view from this rooftop area. Not a cloud in the sky and visibility was as far as the eye could see.
The Eiffel Tower, Arc d’Triumph, Sacre Coeur Basilique
all could be seen with the Opera house across the road.After sunning ourselves on the rooftop, it was time
to move off to our favourite spot, the Marais, St
Paul which is a medieval centre within Paris. Best of all I met a bike shop owner with track bikes. He had been to OZ in Melbourne so we had a good
talk until Sue found me and dragged me out to continue our walk.Hotel Sens was the next stop, a favourite building of mine and one of the earliest existing places of royalty in Paris
Last on the walking tour was Place des Vosges, a
favourite for Sue. This leafy square is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. With the sun beating down, the heavily planted and manicured trees offer a cool and shady place to view the activities of the locals. One of the apartments surrounding the square was the last place Jim Morrison of the Doors drew his last breath after a drug overdose.
With perfect weather, I had an opportunity to meet my friend Leigh for an afternoon ride in the parklands. Things got a bit competitive and the heart rate monitor told me to behave but it was great to enjoy dicing with the other French cyclists. After leaving the circuit, we took a deviation to the nearby velodrome to see if there was anything happening. This was the famous Jacques Anquetil velodrome named after the 5 times Tour de France winner. Eddy Merckx, another 5 times winner achieved one of his victories here also.On arriving we saw many track cyclists warming up and after
awhile one of them greeted me warmly.It was Michel Briat who had raced the last two years in the World Masters Track Championships in Sydney that actually recognised me.
I was invited to ride around the Velodrome with him and was introduced to his many friends.
In appreciation, I gave him my Aussie cycling cap.
What a great day it has been.Pics:
1 to 5 of the Opera House
6 - Ash sitting on the rooftop of Galleries Lafayette
7 to 9 - Place des Vosges
10 - Michel Briat and Leaping Leon
