The port in Paris is located on the right bank, close to place Bastille, with two metro stations, the shops of the Maria’s and a huge market on Sundays all within walking distance. We were initially concerned about the port environs and safety, after a number of negative reports from fellow bargees. In 2022 the port was invaded by immigrants who set up a temporary camp, stealing from the boats and using the local gardens as a toilet. The police eventually cleared them out. They since have moved along to the banks of the Seine.
Though some where still in the port sleeping roughOur itinerary included a visit to the Chateau Vincennes, a medieval fortress at the end of metro line 1.Built between 1361 and 1369, this fortified palace was the preferred residence of French kings until 16th century. It’s keep is the tallest in Europe and is surrounded by protective walls with 9 towers. The chapel was completed in 1552 and is a gem of gothic architecture. Built to house Christian relics, more specifically the crown of thorns and shards from the true cross, it is no longer used as a church. Instead the space is donated to art installations.Julie and James only stayed 3 days I Paris before moving onThe crew from Joie de Vivre continued their Paris adventure, shopping, drinking, eating with a little sightseeing thrown inA visit to the Opera GarniereLunch at Le Train BleuA visit to the weekly market in Bastille
All to soon we farewelled Jo and Peter was forced to be my walking compagnon.
Not the Dior shop, but a bus shelter where we sent Jo on her next journey ( a walk across England!A stroll through the sixth to inspect the bookshops and a visit to the science museum
I picked up a brochure in one of the bookshops headed Paris walks. One of the walks on offer was the Hemingway Walk, and yes you guessed it, I signed up. Unfortunately I couldn’t drag Peter along. We visited the Hemingway haunts mainly in the fifth while our guide entertained us with amusing anecdotes . Did you know that even though Hemingway cried poor he was actually supported by two rather wealthy wives? We also were taken to James Joyce’s house and George Orwell’s digs where he wrote Down and Out in Paris and London.
For fans of Midnight in Paris I sat on those magical steps, the church bells rang and although I waited with bated breath for the vintage car to appear, I was disappointed ☹️ Church of Saint Etienne du Mont where you find the tomb of Saint Genevieve the patron saint of Paris. She is credited for saving Paris from Attila the Hun in 451 and even though she died in 502, her relics were paraded though the streets in 1129 and she saved Paris from the plague. During the French Revolution her body was looted and burnt and her ashes thrown into the Seine. Luckily someone saved part of her finger which is now in a reliquary in the church. Today people write prays and stuff them into the side of her tomb.There is a plaques on the houses where Hemingway and James Joyce lived, but none for George Orwell. Apparently the city charges a huge fee to erect these plaques.
A final insight from our guide. As you probably know Paris will host the Olympics next year. At the moment there are a lot of cleaning projects, including cleaning up the Seine. As part of this cleaning project the city is planning to remove the book boxes that encircle the banks. These boxes, first installed in the 19th century are part of Paris’s heritage and there has been a huge outcry against this suggestion. I certainly hope they remain.
And then Margaret arrived and it was off to lunch in the Champs Élysées and a visit to the Yves St. Laurent museumNot as impressive as the Dior museum, but who can forget his iconic tuxedo and Mondrian dresses
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