The pace has picked up. Today we covered three locations and did it in style.
Hey, this Metro in Paris is amazing though at times it can make you feel a bit like a gopher. E.g. We travel for miles and then pop up out of the ground not knowing what will be there waiting for us. Arriving at Saint Michel for instance, the first thing that greets you as you come up into the light is the very imposing presence of Notre Dame. While I have seen any number of photos and movies about it, nothing but nothing can match the impact of seeing it there before you.
We were lucky here too as a mass was in progress when we arrived. The organ and choral voices soared around the vaulted ceilings as can only happen in medieval gothic cathedrals. A truly spell binding experience.
The latin quarter of Paris extends south from the Isle de Cite where Notre Dame stands. It is probably the most cosmopolitan area in Paris with restaurants and shops selling foods and products from dozens of countries. Don't think you could find a good kebab in Paris. Think again. Does japanese take your fancy? Or Indian? Or Tibetan? They're all here and readily available.
Heading further south we stopped for a breather at a small park called Square Painleve. We didn't get much rest though as a friendly border collie wanted us to throw his toy for him to fetch. We never saw his owner so we figured he just takes his toy to the park and asks anyone there for a game.
This area is also the location of the Sorbonne university which we skirted because we had really come to see the Pantheon. Originally dedicated as a shrine to St Genevieve it was converted to a memorial for famous French patriots during to revolution. Thank God it survived the "Terror". It now stands just outside the Sorbonne as a reminder of glorious French history and achievements in science and literature.
Not far from the Pantheon is Montparnasse and the best location to see Paris from a great height and it is NOT the Eiffel tower. The Tour de Montparnasse is the only 59 story building in Paris and it has a brilliant observation deck. From here you can see Paris for 40 km in any direction. Getting there is great too as you cross the Luxembourg Palace gardens. It's classical French layout has an artificial lake at it's centre where you can see kids sailing toy yachts. If you want to have a go yourself there's a guy there who can rent you one. Parisiennes must love this park as there were people relaxing everywhere. Some played tennis, some volleyball and even some older guys playing petanque. A real highlight was the very small children being lead through the park on ponies. I haven't seen that in years.
Click here for pictures of Notre Dame
Click here for pictures of the Latin Quarter
Click here for pictures of the Pantheon
Click here for pictures from Montparnasse tower
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