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    Travel » France » Paris

    Paris: Beside, Behind and Between

    Published: Oct 18, 2015 · Modified: Oct 24, 2018 by Marissa Stevens · 13 Comments

    Keith and I love to explore cities on foot. It's a wonderful way to get your bearings and gather a sense of the city's people - how they dress, how they talk, how they interact with each other, even the pace of their walk. (Parisians have a swift pace!) We typically choose a destination or two and a basic path but, almost always, the best adventures, shops and food experiences happen accidentally.

    (One word of advice on these treks, at least in Paris: watch out for the tall, sturdy steel poles that seem to be in the middle of sidewalks everywhere. Otherwise you may find yourself knocked silly after plowing into one of them because you were looking to your right instead of in the direction you were walking; flower gardens behind iron gates are very distracting **ahem**.)

    sidewalk post

    Take for example our path to The Louvre museum from our apartment in the 14th arrondissement; we discovered that we can walk through a few parks and the Jardin du Luxembourg (the Luxembourg Garden) for nearly a mile (and even grab a little lunch of Nicoise Salad and French Onion Soup) - a welcome respite from the noise, exhaust and cigarette smoke of the main streets.

    Screen_Shot_2015-10-17_at_1_27_56_PM Luxembourg Garden Luxembourg Garden 2 Luxembourg Garden 6 Luxembourg Garden garden Luxembourg Garden and Senate gardens

    And to cross the Seine, we found a pedestrian-only bridge where there are thousands of padlocks, placed by couples as a symbol of their love. On the bridge, a man has a neat arrangement of various padlocks on a small blanket, should an unprepared couple come along wanting to leave a symbol of their own.

    The man is one of many street peddlers illegally selling everything from miniature Eiffel Towers and selfie sticks at the many tourist attractions, to bags of peanuts in the bustle of metro rush hour, to corn on the cob or chestnuts roasted over small wood-fired barrels perched in shopping carts. They play a perpetual game of cat and mouse with the police, always ready to scoop up their goods and hurry away. Unlawful but industrious.

    Padlock bridge padlocks

    One of the more challenging areas of Paris to explore on foot is Montemartre with its steep and narrow streets. At the peak of the neighborhood stands the famous basilica, Sacré-Cœur. It's steps are a wonderful place to rest and take in panoramic city views.

    Keith and Marissa on the steps of Sacre Coeur

    Wandering the area near the basilica, we came upon a small park, empty except for a few children playing, a person sitting on a bench sketching and another reading a book. Just beyond the park, the back of Sacré-Cœur, a different but equally stunning view sans throngs of people.

    Street of Montemarte Behind Sacre Coeur

    Also in Montemartre, we found:

    this vine covered building, a colorful reminder that autumn is coming,

    autumn vines

    one of the areas few remaining windmills,

    windmill

    my handsome husband,

    Cutie Pie Keith

    this famous fellow exiting a stone wall,

    Metal Man

    unexpected city views,

    Montemarte

    the 'Secret Vineyard in Paris,"

    Vineyard Secret Vineyard

    and doors of historical significance:

    Picasso's studio, said to be the birthplace of Cubism,

    Picassos Studio

    and Renoir's home.

    Renoirs Home

    The final door of the day was our own, of no historical significance, but a very welcome sight. We turned the key with full heads, full hearts, tired feet and a sense that we are getting to know this amazing city.

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    1. KevinIsCooking says

      October 22, 2015 at 9:06 am

      These photos and updates are fantastic Marissa. So enjoying traveling with you and Keith, thanks for sharing. I have never visited the the Jardin du Luxembourg, but it looks beautiful. Look forwar dto more. I'm in Denver on work so this is a great treat.

      Reply
    2. Kathleen | HapaNomNom says

      October 19, 2015 at 9:49 pm

      Wow! Marissa, it looks like you're having a fabulous time! The pictures are just stunning! It's been years since I was in Paris, I hope to go back sometime soon 🙂 Btw, maybe they should put those metal posts in American cities... then maybe everyone wouldn't be texting and walking 😛

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 20, 2015 at 1:53 am

        That's a great idea, Kathleen! It would definitely cut down on the text&walk because yeeouch - it does not feel good to run into those things. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Dorothy Dunton says

      October 19, 2015 at 8:20 am

      Hi Marissa! What beautiful photographs! You are very gracious to share your wonderful vacation! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 20, 2015 at 1:54 am

        So sweet, Dorothy. 🙂 I'm happy to share it...thanks for being here.

        Reply
    4. The-FoodTrotter says

      October 19, 2015 at 6:45 am

      I'm glad to see your article, because even if I live in Paris I sometime do not realise how much this city can be romantic and beautiful! I love it 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 20, 2015 at 1:55 am

        It certainly is both! Checked out your blog - lots of recipes I want to try! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      October 18, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      Such gorgeous shots! Usually when I arrive in a new city and I have time, I like to take a little walk around the hotel to get my bearings! Walking gives you such a different perspective than by car 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 20, 2015 at 1:56 am

        haha, you're too funny, getting your hotel bearings... 🙂

        Reply
    6. Doris Day says

      October 18, 2015 at 11:30 am

      What a wonderful stroll. Did you leave a lock? I am soaking in Epsom after accompanying you, hope you have some.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 20, 2015 at 1:56 am

        Hi Dori! 🙂 No, but Keith thought it would be funny to leave a key...

        Reply
    7. Mon Petit Four (@byMonPetitFour) says

      October 18, 2015 at 11:08 am

      Marissa, you have me itching to get on the next flight! I was in Paris last year during this time and it's a wonderful time to be in the city. Fall is beautiful, especially in all of Paris's gardens as you so beautifully displayed here. And those poles are awful - I've totally run into them before! I'm so glad you are enjoying the sights...Paris by foot is the best way to see the city. <3

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 20, 2015 at 1:57 am

        I wonder if it's possible to be here long without running into them. 🙂 I've been better about watching where I'm going! It really is pretty to see the leaves changing. xoxo

        Reply

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