The Branhams in Paris for the First Time!
Bonjour,
It’s always such fun to welcome folks who have never seen Paris before. It’s a combination of sensory overload, exhaustion, amazement, cultural confusion, and pure enjoyment. Such has been the case with Cindi and Dave Branham. They had been on a Seine River cruise and then took the Paris extension to spend some time with us. Only a brief 2 1/2 together days so we’ve walked them pretty hard, 14, 500 steps yesterday! It was a surprise day of good weather after what was forecasted to be horrible. Also, to their benefit, their body clocks were already reset and that fact alone makes walking around so much easier.
We met them Thursday at noon a l’Hotel de Ville and took them over to Rue Montorgueil for lunch. 
It’s such a fun area. Then into the massive St.Eustache church and Les Halles, then on to some more of Le Marais. They had already been on a walking tour there for the morning with a guide from their riverboat. They needed to get checked into their hotel so we rode the bus over with them about 5pm. Their evening had been pre-booked with a guide for the Eiffel Tower, steps away from their hotel. Sorry no pics of that! But they loved it and went to the Summit.
Yesterday morning, they spent three delightful hours in the d’Orsay museum. Unfortunately only the first and fifth floors were open but those are the best areas so they were happy. We met them right outside for an afternoon on the Left Bank.
We rode the bus up to the Luxembourg Gardens (the train is closed!) and as always, people love this spot. The rain we’ve experienced has brought it back to life. School has begun so there were no children floating the sail boats unfortunately. First, however, a bite of lunch at Choupinet.
Next stop was the Pantheon and the beautiful surrounding area of the Sorbonne University. Time is always the enemy so we had to move along with a stop at Les Deux Magots for water, restroom and dessert. Sorry no photos but I bet Cindi has some. We’ve had fun laughing over my rating system for the “toilettes.” It’s all very important and Dave has encouraged me to write a book about it as has Bernie’s cousin Pierre for years.
We strolled along St. Germain, then the St. Michel Fountain and down to the Shakespeare bookstore for a quick look. By this time it was almost 7 and Bernie left us to try to get seating for four at our favorite outside cafe Le Flor en l’Ile which he did. It was a lovely night.
We put them on bus #86 at the end of the island with instructions not to get off until the end of the line which is two blocks from their hotel! We may never see then again…ha!
Today, the right bank under what hopefully will be sunny skies again.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
L & B
September 3, 2022 @ 7:51 am
Wow! I bet everyone just fell into bed! What a lovely full day!
September 3, 2022 @ 11:03 am
You and Bernie are certainly giving Dave and Cindi a tour of some of our favorite places in Paris. It’s fun to travel along with the four of you.
September 3, 2022 @ 11:44 am
Friends and tour guides– you and Bernie are the perfect people to know!
September 3, 2022 @ 11:51 am
The picture of the fontaine Medicis shows Polyphème , a “cyclope” , son of Poseidon , watching Galatée and her lover Acis .
Poseidon is a greek sea god . Vulcain is a roman fire god .
September 3, 2022 @ 2:34 pm
As usual, Laurie, thanks for the correction! Hope you all are doing well.
September 3, 2022 @ 11:59 am
As usual, you’re showing them all the right places, just as you did with us!!! Tour guides extraordinaire!! ! Hi to Cindi from her fellow blue dotter.
September 3, 2022 @ 12:38 pm
I would buy a book you write on “Paris Toilettes” and I really would love it if you write and sell me a book that just listed all the restaurants you like.
I started keeping a list, in the back of “Bernie’s Paris,” but sadly have not been diligent over the years! Haha
September 3, 2022 @ 2:32 pm
You are so sweet, Betsy. I’m am just delighted that you are following the blog. Just think, we have been friends since Atlanta in 1970!
September 3, 2022 @ 5:32 pm
Have you found the amazing Klingincourt Market with lots & Lots of Art Deco and Art Nuevo amongst many street traders? You can take the tube there.
September 3, 2022 @ 9:00 pm
Yes, we’ve been there many times over the years. Quite an experience!
September 3, 2022 @ 8:13 pm
What a blessing you and Bernie are for all your friends who visit you there!
September 12, 2022 @ 4:48 am
I see you whisked them around to all the “spots!” The train was closed? We’ve had such a time with that train! Mom, that’s hilarious about the toilettes – yes you should be then again who/why would buy it? Perhaps it should be your grand entrance to tictok for public consumption! I ADORE the pictures of you and Bernie!!
September 12, 2022 @ 5:31 am
There are four train lines in interior Paris Lines A through D. Different lines close periodically for repair of the stations, etc.