Toby and Allan Live in Paris: Miro exhibit, Market Aligre, and the Jardins des Plantes

Wow, we have had a busy two days. Yesterday (April 5) we visited the real estate office on Rue Chapon and received instructions for how to use the washer/dryer, play our Ipods through the stereo and deal with the induction stove top. On their street, we saw a plaque memorializing the deportation of 10,000 children by the Nazi's during the war. It was located at the L'ecole maternelle building, where many of the children had gone to school

Memorial on Rue Chapon

Then it was a walk across another Pont to the 6ieme, to the Musee Maillol to see the Miro Sculpteur exhibit. While we are big fans of Miro's paintings, we hadn't realized he was such a creative sculptor-which dominated the latter part of his life from his 50s until he died at 90 in 1983. Many of his sculptures were of abstracted men, women and birds. This sculpture included trademark shoes, which represented his Catalan background.

Femme- Miro sculpture

We finally had lunch at Les Deux Margot- sitting on the terrace- sharing a salade compose and glass of rose. Weather had warmed up to about 16C, so it was very pleasant.

lunch at Les Deux Magots

Walked back by the Louvre Pyramid again and then home for a charcuterie salad. Our apartment is near the Archives-- turns out Sarkosy wants to wants to put a history of France museum on the site as his legacy. Lots of protests- big sign on the archives and lots of newspaper clipping posted outside the building.

Save the National Archives!!

Today, we set out for the Marche Aligre ( a working class market in the 12th arrondisement). Passed a monument to fallen soldiers from three wars. Allan first picked up a wonderful croissant at le Ble Sucre, a wonderful bakery nearby [ps if anyone knows how to do french accents in a blog, let me know] The market included a covered section and outdoor stalls. We did get some wonderful sausages from Artisan Boucher Michel Brunon, which we just had for dinner. After lunch it was another long walk to the 5th- Jardins des Plantes. It was too nice a day to stay indoors. 23C-- I even wore sandals. Paris is just beautiful with the cherry blossoms and blue skies. We've only used one subway ticket (note a carnet of 10 tickets costs just 12Euros) since we have arrived.

The good weather is supposed to continue for a while. We have WIFI here so can watch the National, and catch CBC radio news. The best has been the Blue Jays highlights. Go Jays Go!

Tonight we went to the opening of the new permanent contemporary art collections at the Pompidou. My cousin sent us the invite. Lots of buzz and quite overwhelming as there were rooms and room of intriguing pieces.