Americans in Paris

Yes, we are in Paris now. Actually, staying at Janet and Gilles house in Brunoy, which is just outside of Paris (just a 15 minute train ride from Gare de Lyon station). But before I update you about that, Tuesday we drove here from Annecy. There are so many temptations driving here as we pass by such interesting freeway exits (again, not freeways, as there are rather hefty tolls along the way) - we just skirted the edge of Switzerland (so that was one temptation) and then the turnoff signs for Turin and Milan (more temptation), but we continued on a course to Paris, just discussing all the different possibilities for "next time". We did have an interesting stop for lunch in a little town called Beaune (in the Burgandy region) and visited the Hospices de Beaune Hotel-Dieu - a charitable hospital built in 1443 and functioning until 1971.

The building itself was beautiful, with these amazing rooftiles creating a geometric pattern. You can also see the well that provided the water for the hospital.
This is the great hall for the poorest patients, with a chapel at the end.
Beds, which actually each would hold several patients lined each side of the hall. You are able to view the pharmacy, the section for the wealthier patients, and then a museum of items and art.
The support for the hospital, and many other charitable efforts, was gained from wealthy benefactors, but also through the production and sale of wine by the monks. The hospital label wine is still produced and quite expensive.
While eating out is part of our travel routine, here you can also see that we are doing some "to go" picnicking. Here we are munching on smoked salmon sandwiches - "fast food" is a bit different here! So with that interesting and tasty mid-trip stop, we arrived to Brunoy in the late afternoon (Tuesday).

Yesterday (Wednesday) we took the train in to Paris. Last time we were here (18 years ago) it was late March, so city looks quite different with leaves on the trees. Since we were doing lots of walking we took a foot-break and did the boat tour on the Seine. Completely different views of Paris, including some interesting sculptures on the under sides of the many bridges. You can see the "mocking" sculptures representing the attitude at the time that the bridge was a bad idea and would not last.

And we also learned interesting facts like: Do you know how many stairs there are in the Eiffel Tower and why? Answer will be at end of blog
We couldn't resist a return visit to Notre Dame, although a lot more tourists this time. We also couldn't resist a return visit to the "best" ice cream in Paris, Berthillon on the Isle St Louis. Just like we had our favorite pastry in Portugal, we have discovered our favorite ice cream flavor in France - salted caramel, and as good as it has been elsewhere, at Berthillon it is to die for.

In spite of visits to stores and shops along the way in Portugal and Barcelona, we decided to save our "shopping euros" for Paris. Here you can see us doing our thing. Janet had preselected the shopping spot (in the Marais district) and we both found some french fashion statements.

Here you can see Janet and Gilles home - it is a lovely setting that feels very "in the country" yet just a short walk from the train station.

One of the side benefits to our timing of this trip is that the days are VERY LONG right now - we are much further north than California. So here we are eating dinner and the sunlight at 9:30 p.m.

Doesn't really get dark till around 10:30 p.m. Makes for a nice long day of touring and talking.

Today we are off to museums, and probably more ice cream...Friday we will drive up to Bruges for an overnight, and then spend the day in Antwerpen on Saturday.

Answer: 1789 steps in the Eiffel Tower to commemorate the French Revolution! That is your fun fact for the day.