Day 4: Paris By Foot

Today we did not need public transportation. We walked to Notre Dame. Then after 1.5 hours in line we walked up the spiral stairs to the bell tower. While we were there at noon we were treated to an earful. The bells rang for a long time. The church is 800 years old and unbelievably beautiful and massive. We counted 360 steps going up. It was steep and scary going down.

We learned that the chimeras are simply decoration. The gargoyles extend off the side of the building and function as drainage pipes.

Three chimeras

For lunch we walked over to Café Panis in the Latin Quarter. The food was great. Sam and Isabel tried and loved croque Madame et Monsieur. Jonah had crepe Nutella. Iris had amazing quiche with cheese and potato. I enjoyed calamari and red wine. Trust me, we ate well. Considering the location of the café this could be a real tourist trap, but I recommend eating here. For example,

After lunch we walked the Latin Quarter to the crypt under the Pantheon. Isabel could not go in, too scary. But the rest of us enjoyed the macabre. For kids I might skip the Pantheon. We could not see the pendulum, due to construction it was removed. On the other hand we had the opportunity to stand at the very center of science.

Ice cream on the way home. Not just beautiful, also delicious, Amorino

Baguette sandwiches for dinner. Early night walk and late night Nutella crepes to finish the day.

Seine River at sunset

 The hat? Jonah found this "news boy" hat in a vintage clothing store behind the Centre Pompidou. The price was 6 Euro, the happiness was priceless.

Yummy, late night street snack.

So, what did we learn? We cannot do everything.... We will have to come back to Paris to see the Catacombs, Les Invalids, other parts of the Louvre, Monet's paintings and more time to sit and drink and socialize. Slower is better, cannot expect to rush in Paris in the summer. Wine bill after four days, 16 euros, for me and Iris (and Sam enjoyed a few sips).

P.S. When we get back we will tell you about the time I took the kids into Passage du Désir. Really I had no idea it was a sex shop, until we got kicked out! How rude, I did not even have the chance to take pictures.