Tim and Jayne's Adventure Germany II: September 2014

Ok, this is becoming a habit. Tim goes away on business and Jayne discovers more of Europe. I like it, don't you?

I find it interesting, that Paris is a city that Tim and I love very much, but since we have lived in Germany, we haven't returned to it. I chose Paris as I have always said that I would love to spend a month, in the spring, in Paris. Ok, it wasn't a month and it wasn't spring, but I had 10 wonderful days discovering the real Paris.

I rented an apartment in a neighbourhood, in the 11th arrondissemont and walked at least seven hours a day, discovering as many non touristy sights as possible (yes, I did walk under the Eiffel Tower and took a picture).

I had a really really great time. Here are some of the sights that I saw:

Place des Vosges

It was built by Henri IV and completed in 1614. It is the oldest square in Paris and one of the grandest. It straddles the 3rd and 4th arrondissement.

It is a gorgeous 17th century square.
One of the buildings within the square is
Victor Hugo's mansion. Entrance into the mansion is free!!

Promenade Plantée

Is an old elevated rail line that was made into a park. IT is located in the 12th arrondissement and is about 5 km long. The railway was built in 1859, abandoned in 1969 and whole route / park was completed in 1994

Beautiful park on the old rail line.

Gorgeous architecture - views from the old rail line,
which is lined with trees, flowers and benches to rest.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Is located in the 20th arrondissement (where I was staying) and is notable for being the first garden cemetery. The cemetery is open and still accepting new burials. It manages to squeeze an increasing number of does into a finite and already crowded space. One way it does this is by combining the remains of multiple family members in the same grave.

Some of the famous people buried in this amazing leafy cemetery are: Oscar Wilde, Chopin and Jim Morrison.

It is the world's most visited cemetery which opened in 1804. It is about 44 hectares / 110 acres and is the largest cemetery in the City of Paris.

Musée Jacquemart- André

A mansion housing 15th to 18th century art. Here are a few photos, but it just doesn't do it justice. You will have to go there yourself.

The Mansion

The living room.

The staircase(s)

Another room.......

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Is one of the biggest and original green spaces in Paris. It is 25 hectares, located in the 20th arrondissement, with steep cliffs and a landscape that is a blend of English and Chinese. It opened in 1867.

View of Sacré Coeur from the monument in the picture above.

Waterfalls in the park.

The Abbey Bookshop

As I was in need of a book, I came across this amazing tiny English bookshop in the Latin quarter. It is owned by a Toronto man and is known for its eclectic collection of new and used books - some 35,000 titles.

The store is no wider than what you see
- okay maybe another half a foot on each side.

I hope the owner and staff know where everything is!!!

Jardin du Luxembourg - Luxembourg Gardens

Located in the Latin Quarter, in the 6th arrondissement. The widow of King Henri IV of France starting building the Palace in 1612. The park covers 23 hectares and is now owned by the French Senate.

I came here a couple of times to rest, relax, eat my lunch and read my book, just like all of the Parisians that were there.

So relaxing!

Medici Fountain - built in 1630

Galeries Lafayette

An upmarket French department store (built in 1912) located on Boulevard Haussmann......

The building is 10 stories high and this is dome in the middle of the store.

Amazing!!

The view from the store's roof top terrace which is open to the public - no entrance fee.

Canal Saint-Martin

The canal is 4.5 km long and was ordered to be constructed by Napoleon I in 1802 in order to create an artificial waterway for supplying Paris with fresh water to support a growing population and to help avoid diseases such as dysentery and cholera.