I just loved my oh so quick train trip across the UK, in the tunnel and then the French countryside. I had done the trip in the dark and the heavy snow but had never done it in brilliant sunshine and it was totally fabulous. I arrived in to Gare Du Nord and changed to line 5 and a quick trip to Breguet-Sabin station. The tree lined street of Boulevard Richard Lenoir is so lovely and it was fantastic to watch people of all ages playing boules in the sand. Of course, being Paris, everyone not a child had a glass of red wine in hand.
I had a long walk through the Marais and a wander through Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris. There was no sight of enfants clothed in rouge but plenty of stylish Parisians lunching on Moroccan fare. I had a massive walk down Boulevard Beaumarchais, through the Bastille and down Boulevard Henry IV. I strolled the edge of the Seine past Notre Dame and down to Du Louvre.
What really struck me was the enormous police and army presence since I was last here. I did feel slightly anxious a few times at the massive machine guns carried by the men in camouflage attire.
The jardin des Tuileries were as beautiful as ever but I was rather pleased to see the metro at Concorde. I caught the train back and called in to the Franprix for baguette, my favourite Roquefort cheese, and wine for my bed top picnic. I watched French TV and was highly entertained by a doco on Wills and Kate – couldn’t understand most of it but sat and nibbled away. I think I must have passed out as the tele was till blaring when I woke at 1am – of course, spent the rest of the night swearing about eating so much cheese – but oh I do love it.
Sleeping under the stars 