From Five Guys on the Champs to Foie Gras at the Train
Bonjour,
Before I take a blogging break, we wanted to share our final day with the Ludwigs. We put them in a cab at 7:30 this morning (Monday) and wish them safe travels with no drama!
We spent Sunday morning at a very wet Bastille market which was disappointing. It’s hard to negotiate an umbrella in such tight quarters. Cindi found a cute purse, and at least they got to see the largest street market in Paris.
Bob had devised a meal plan to showcase the difference between eating American style at lunch and in French elegance for dinner. There is now a Five Guys on the Champs. Bernie and I have never eaten at one so as a joke, we agreed to have a hamburger there. It’s not our thing but a fun memory. That afternoon, Cindi and I shopped (again) and yes, she found a beautiful, sassy coat and a nice blouse with matching scarf. And shame on me, no pictures! The day, by the way, turned out to be beautiful sunny skies.
After a rest and time for them to pack, we ended a fabulous visit with dinner at Le Train Bleu. It’s always impressive, and I invite you to check out their web site for a full description.
Here’s some fun photos of our day!
I asked each of them to reflect on their trip, with what surprised them the most and what they enjoyed the most. Here are Bob’s thoughts:
“Feel goods 20 years after our last trip:
1. Bernie and Linda leading us every step of the way to 12 days of fun, food, history and art.
2. A smokefree restaurant scene and streets almost devoid of cigarette butts, a complete turnaround that was very pleasant
3. A subway system that was easy to follow, inexpensive, clean, fast and amazingly quiet as passengers stay to themselves.
My don’t miss attractions:
A. Impresstionists Monet etc at the old train station, Le Musée d’Orsay. The extent of the art, the description and write ups and the cafe where we had lunch (the artsy chairs) were exceptional.
B. Montmartre is always such a great people watching spectacle. The church is exceptional and seeing the museum and learning about Renoir, the last winery, the room with pictures of Montmartre before it was developed was most interesting.
C. I remain mesmerized by the enormity of the historic structures including churches, museums and the Pantheon at the University. I wish there was a science building dedicated to how the buildings were constructed hundreds of years ago.
D. The Illumination exhibition featuring Van Gogh is a must see. The venue brings his work to life with music and a technology that is itself an art form.
No 2 was the history & architecture
No 3 was the rich culture in the museums, neighborhoods, and shops
No 4 was bread and pastries
No 5 were the unique subway stations.
No 6 was the unexpected parades, protests and encounters
No 7 were the street markets
No 8 Luxembourg gardens and all the green spaces
What I was surprised about was the lack of smokers; the number of people who spoke English; the cleanliness of the streets and subways; the crazy motorcycle drivers; the number of churches that are being maintained despite the obvious cost.
Once again I can not thank you both enough for making this one of the best trips we have ever taken. It goes to show that places are special because of the people you share them with.”
And we can’t thank them enough for being easy, delightful guests.
See you all again for more blogging adventures in about four days!
L & B
P.S. Bob sent this photo from around Orly airport where they sat for almost 30 minutes due to a protest of some sort. Those who weren’t smart to go plenty early had to jump out of their cabs and pull luggage!
Sent from my iPhone
October 7, 2019 @ 7:29 am
Once again you have captured our day and thoughts perfectly! Once we return home and you return to blogging I look forward to continuing to follow you.
October 7, 2019 @ 12:44 pm
Can’t wait!!! You all have us so excited! Cindi, if there’s something I need to know or take, let me know.
October 7, 2019 @ 1:19 pm
Paula and Tim, bring your biggest dose of flexibility and put aside expectations for things to be as they are in America. That’s the hardest piece. Lots and lots and lots of steps. People don’t believe us until they get here! We are Metro riders almost exclusively and the steps are everywhere!
October 7, 2019 @ 11:06 am
Exceptional merci Linda for once a gain a wonderful blog love love reading safe travels ludwigs xo
October 7, 2019 @ 11:20 am
What a great summary post and photos! Cindi’s coat is gorgeous and nothing as Parisian as having a final surprise protest/demo at the airport.
Bob might like a little gem ‘How to Read Paris, a crash course in Parisian architecture’ which goes thru time and has wonderful details, photos, drawings and info on Paris’s main buildings (and also monuments, streets, etc.). I love referring to it so much I have a copy in Paris and another in Felixstowe 🙂 It helps me understand the architectural words and vocabulary too!
Here’s a link: https://www.amazon.com/How-Read-Paris-Parisian-architecture/dp/1782404066/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=how+to+read+paris&qid=1570446309&s=books&sr=1-1
We’re with you and Bernie on Five Guys, which we tried once in Washington DC. We were hungry and the burgers were admittedly tasty. Paris bus 32 has a stop in front of the one on the Champs and I’m always amazed at how hopping the place is. Then again, it’s the Champs …
Have a great week ahead all and merci beaucoup for sharing your Paris adventures and observations. Fantastique xx
October 7, 2019 @ 1:17 pm
Always such a helpful response, Carolyn!
October 7, 2019 @ 12:15 pm
What? No photos of the 5 Guys Burgers? 🙂
October 7, 2019 @ 1:16 pm
I’ll send them to you. Just for you…
October 7, 2019 @ 1:15 pm
The whole trip sounded like heaven to me! My next journey abroad will be a solo one. (A challenge I’m giving myself) Your descriptions of everything Paris has given me desires to maybe make that one of my next destinations!
October 7, 2019 @ 2:02 pm
Hi Ashley, your folks should be over the Atlantic about now. We had a super time and I wish for you a great visit someday to Paris.
October 7, 2019 @ 10:37 pm
Cindi wears her new coat beautifully! I enjoyed so much our few hours with Bob and Cindi! It just confirmed what Linda said about how easy going and pleasant they are! Hope to see more of them! Can’t believe you went to Paris to eat at Five Guys when there is one just around the corner from you in Huntsville! 😂. Your salad at the Train Bleu looks amazing! Thanks for sharing all your experiences.
October 8, 2019 @ 4:45 am
Cindi almost didn’t get the coat but I convinced her that it was very Parisian. She looks great in it! We Americans tend to want our clothes to fit perfectly, tailored, etc. But in Paris, the ladies just throw something on and let it happen…they always look stunning.
October 7, 2019 @ 11:36 pm
Thank Bob and Cindi for us — just watching the 4 of you enjoy yourselves together was a threat. I’m glad you tell us what you order on fancy supper nights, I’ve got to admit that I often don’t recognize what you’re having. I did try escargot a couple years ago in honor of you and Bernie. It came in some little dish, already out of the shell, and swimming in butter. I guess that still qualifies. Now I know, but I didn’t go back for 2nd’s. Of course, B’ham probably wasn’t the best place to try it out. Again, thanks for inviting us along with you, Bernie, Cindi, and Bob. I’m with Fred, how did you like Five Guys?
October 8, 2019 @ 4:42 am
Ha!! I hope you meant treat! As to Five Guys, we’re not fast food eaters so it was more just fun and not to have a great meal. As to escargot, I’m with you!! It’s a Bernie thing.
October 8, 2019 @ 4:07 pm
You’re correct — treat it should have been. Maybe Ms. Bobo’s 5th grade class that I was in wasn’t the ‘smart’ class after all.