Street scenes, markets and hidden passages

Yesterday was my first run and Alain's fifth in Paris.  Alain did 8.6 km and I ran 5.5.  At 9:00 a.m., the streets were pretty deserted. We ran down to the Seine and along the river to the Jardin des Plantes.  Then we walked the rest of the day.  Too nice for a museum.  

Allan started our walk with a delicious croissant at Pain de Sucre on Rue Rambateau.

Alain with croissant

Outside Pain de Sucre

We then discovered a tiny passage near the Palais Royal (one of our new favourite places).  It was Gallerie Vivienne- built in the early 19th century and full of lovely old fashioned shops.  The shop windows are all beautifully composed.

Gallerie Vivienne

Typical composed window

We then walked all the way to Printemps.  While I'm not a huge fan of department stores, the windows were fun.  Stopped back at the Palais Royal to sit by the fountain and then headed home.

Last night we went to dinner with my cousin Laure and her partner François.  We met them at a wonderful restaurant- Le Baratin on Rue Jouye Rouve in the 20th arrondissement near where Laure and François live.  I had a delicious queue de boeuf (oxtail) and Allan had lamb.  We shared a few appetizers, including a wonderful duarade carpaccio.  On the way back to the Metro, Laure pointed out a plaque commemorating the birthplace of Edith Piaf on Rue Belleville.

At restaurant Le Baratin

Edith Piaf plaque- born on the steps of this building

Today was market day.  En route, we walked on Rue Rossier and saw Panzer (wonder if they're related to the Pastrami Panzers in Toronto?)

Long line up at Panzer- King of Pastrami

We went to the Bastille Market for the first time- about a 20 minute walk from here. It only operates on Thursday and Sunday and today is its BIG day.  It is a huge outdoor market- with wonderful vegetables, and lots of booths devoted to specialities-- olives, spices, nuts, fish and meat. We then returned to the Marche Aligre, which was also hopping.  We are going to return to Le Baron Rouge, a small restaurant where one gets a glass of wine and charcuterie and eats outside on barrels.

Outside Le Baron Rouge

In the afternoon we walked to St. Paul Village ( off Rue St. Paul) where there was a book/postcard sale. Then we sat out at Place Vosges, where I managed to get a bit too much sun.  High of 18C today.  On the way home, we discovered a small park behind the Maison de L'europe de Paris. Wonderful wooden figures/animals for the kids.

St. Paul village

Park with wooden animals

Another wonderful weekend in Paris--it truly is a moveable feast.