Paris Day 1
17 November 2007
Woo-Hoo! The Eagle has landed … In Paris, that is! Laura and I are in Paris for Thanksgiving week this year, and after less than 24 hours on the ground in Paris we have settled in to our routine. Sleep, walk around, drink fabulous French espresso and cappuccinos, eat fabulous French pastries and baguettes, drink fabulous French wines, and eat fabulous French meals. Then, sleep some more. During the walking around part is some sight-seeing, but that part hasn’t really started yet …
Our hotel is the Pavillon de la Reine, a 17th century hotel located at the Place des Vosges, one of the oldest squares in the city of Paris, dating back to 1610. You can only imagine the amount of history these city blocks have seen – the “new” buildings are a few hundred years old! Do we even have any buildings in California that are a few hundred years old? Maybe a Spanish mission, here or there. But in 1610, Columbus was considered a recent visitor to the “New World”! The Place des Vosges is located in the Marias district of Paris (the Marsh district, since it used to be a swamp land), near the famed Bastille prison that was stormed during the French Revolution. Paris is arranged in sectors along either side of the Seine, and the Place des Vosges is in the 3rd arrondissement, which is located on the right bank of the Seine, not far from Notre Dame Cathedral. How’s that for an address?! Pavillon de la Reine, 28 Place des Vosges, Marais district, 3rd arrondissement (on the right bank), Paris, France!
We had dinner at a little bistro called Le Petite Marche, just down the street from the hotel. While Le Petite Marche is rated a 22 by Zagat, it’s relatively unknown since it’s a bit off the beaten path for tourists, but it’s very unique! The dining room is small, with about 35 seats, and the tiny kitchen is open to the dining area. The food is French Bistro with an Asian twist, either in preparation or in the use of spices. For example, the salad is an interpreted Chinese chicken salad and the paper wrapped shrimp is deep fried and served with spicy chili dipping sauce straight from Vietnam. The lamb brochettes, while having a hint of Asian spice, were grilled to true French perfection! The cote de boeuf was good, but couldn’t keep up with the lamb. A chocolate cake with the last of our red wine and espressos to finish it off, and we were back to the walking part of our “routine”.
Turns out that the taxi drivers are on strike. Hey, that’s a surprise! In France? Get outta here! It does mean that we have some hope (however small) that we will not be wearing home every calorie we consume!
Oh, as we were informed by our #3 son at 4am, the new Hockey jerseys are way cool, and they played a good game…!
Hotel Pavillon de la Reine …
and, Chris & Laura at Le Petite Marche!