Bon Voyage!

There was really only thing I wanted for my birthday -- that was for Rick to go to Paris with me. Those of you who have traveled "across the pond" (or just about anywhere else, for that matter) know that it's not an inexpensive venture. So, when Rick said it was time, we began to plan. And eight months later, on an April morning, we set off!

Our flight was uneventful -- on time, not full (so we could spread out and sleep over a couple of seats). When we arrived in Paris and met by our friend and host, Jerry, we were ready to go!

After a stop at the boulangerie and a snack after dropping our bags at Jerry's, we set out on a walking tour.

  For me, this was an encore; for Rick, all new! First stop, Notre Dame!

Initially, the lines were long, but a downpour (the first of numerous consecutive rainy days) helped either speed up or break up the line. Truly, the church was a sanctuary -- in more ways than one!

And, it was a lovely one -- dark, beautiful, filled with history and lovely art.

 We even saw what the church said was the Crown of Thorns, which was on display.

This shocked Jerry, who said that happens very rarely.

The photo and description above aren't at all good, but I put them here, in case you are familiar with this -- it may then make a little more sense to you.

I said a little prayer for Gypsy and for my friend Julie, who was very ill. You couldn't help but "think prayer" everywhere you went.

 It was still raining when we left, walking around the side of the great church, where trees were in bloom.The rain and clouds made for glorious colors when photographing flowers!

Located close to Notre Dame, just on the edge of the Ile de la Cite, is the Holocaust Memorial, honoring the Jews who were rounded up in Paris during the Holocaust and deported to concentration camps.

We weren't allowed to publish photography from inside the museum itself, so these two photos are outside -- the wall and the frightening-looking gate. Inside, it was small, with carved quotes on the wall. Most moving was a hallway of 200,000 crystals lit from behind and an everlasting flame, representing each life lost. This memorial is free, but there was a line to enter as it is so small, only a limited number of people can come in at a time.

We moved over to Ile St. Louis, site of fictional detective Aimee Leduc's apartment. (See reviews of these mysteries set in Paris at my other blog, Chopsticks and String.)

I loved the winding streets and charming shops.

Rick loved the bikes!

Heading back to the Marais, where Jerry lives, we stopped at our third church of the day -- St. Gervais et Protais, one of the oldest in Paris, started in 1494 and more or less finished in 1578.

It was the site of the worst shelling by Germans during WWII, killing 68 people on Good Friday when the roof fell in.

  A service was taking place during our visit, so most of my photos are of the beautiful chapel.

It was at St. Gervais that French composer Francois Couperin's family was at the helm of the church's organ for two centuries beginning in the mid-1600s. (We found this out later so Rick had to make a return visit to check out the organ that was associated with one of his favorite composers!)


It was a full first day, but a wonderful one and we eagerly looked forward to many more wonderful days in Paris, Amsterdam and London! Stay tuned!

NOTE: While I was away, Blogger changed their site and I can't seem to get the spacing right -- anyone with ideas? Help!