Sundays in Paris
Bonjour mes amis,
Years ago in what now seems a land far, far away, Paris was totally quiet on Sundays. It was a day for families to visit local parks, fill up the iconic green chairs, walk their dogs, take a pique-nique to the river, stroll and rest. There were no shops open, not even the grocery stores. Well, maybe one per neighborhood and only until noon. Church bells peeled out even then to a lonely few attending church. There was hardly any traffic.
Now, life on Sundays is like every other day in Paris. Crazy busy. Everything is open, people are buzzing everywhere, especially the tourists which of course we are. But after 22 years of being here, we are localized tourists and have perspective on the changes we’ve experienced over the years. We still love Paris, but I yearn for some of the earlier times. Maybe it was just my naïveté.
Yesterday, there was les brocante (flea market) on rue St. Antoine with crowds of folks jamming the sidewalk. I bought two cheap rings for fun and enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was 49 degrees when I walked to the Bastille market at 8am to pick up a few items. It warmed up nicely. A travel tip: buy all your toiletries and things like detergent, paper towels, dishwashing liquid, deodorant, etc. here at the market. SO MUCH CHEAPER.
We were flaneurs or strollers all afternoon which is a delightful Paris pastime. Enjoy our photos.
And yes, Virginia, you can have a bad meal in Paris which the guys had last night at Choupinet next to the Luxembourg Gardens. Bernie was able to negotiate a “no charge” for their croque Monsieurs.
Today is ugh…laundry and not just easy laundry but washing sheets. Our small washing machine, however, is great. There is a 45-minute cycle instead of two hours!
Have a great start to your week!
L & B
June 9, 2025 @ 9:13 am
Love your stroll through the streets! What is that building with the peach colored painting on the side? Very interesting ! It was good to see Jamie and Andrew. Perhaps we will meet him in person some time.
June 9, 2025 @ 1:16 pm
Peggy, it’s an apartment building on a side street off rue St. Antoine. Between rue St. Paul and Beautrelis.
June 9, 2025 @ 11:44 am
Linda,
Somehow you managed to shoot photos that had a relaxing feel to them, despite the hustle and bustle of your Sunday. Wishing you a laundry day that goes by quickly and perhaps you encounter something that makes you smile. Happy Monday!
Cindi
June 9, 2025 @ 12:13 pm
Thanks, Linda! Always love the pictures!
June 9, 2025 @ 12:51 pm
Linda, thank you for sharing Sunday’s Stroll. I was sorry to read of the social changes in the Sabbath Day observances! Thankfully, the beautiful architecture and gardens continue offering degrees of permanence and comfort in our unstable world!