Back to Paris

We left Grenoble Sunday enjoying the speed and comfort of the TGV. Back at Thomas and Claire's apartment, we dropped our stuff and headed out to see if a boulangerie was still open and found one before it closed. Scored a baguette for breakfast and a ham and smoked salmon and quiche for dinner.





Foucault's pendulum and Pantheon


Today we hoped to walk the historic section, but it started raining just as we reached Notre Dame, and since the line was a block long to enter, we walked to the back and took a picture or two of its prettier side. Right after we managed to avoid a downpour by popping into a cafe for coffee.

Once the rain subsided we made our way to the Pantheon and spent an enjoyable hour in this incredible cathedral/secular edifice where French notables such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Dumas, Hugo, Marie and Pierre Curie, and Saint Genevieve (who protected Paris from Atilla the Hun) are entombed in the spectacular crypt. Saint Genevieve was buried at the site in 512 CE. The Pantheon has a fascinating history, so look it up sometime.

Within 30 minutes of leaving the Pantheon, a second downpour ensued and we were forced to pop into another cafe for lunch where I had French onion soup and Marie had a hot chicken and potato meal. We both ended with coffee and three small samplings of creme brulee, a lemon cookie, and chocolate mousse.

No more rain forcasted for this week so we should be able to take the walks we have planned.