Days Eight, Nine, Ten: Au Revoir, Paris

I feel strange - and already nostaglic - sitting in my favourite Bedford coffee shop, finishing up the blog for this incredible trip. The girls here at the Jumping Bean make a worthy Americano, but it ain't Paris!! However, I would feel stranger still if I did not do a wrap up of our last few days in France!

Friday - our last day to bus/train to the city. We really got the hang of it by the end of the week, hopping on and off transit like pros and smiling indulgently like regulars when the RER serenader turned on his boom box and began his daily rendition of La Vie en Rose and Coocaracha!
On the agenda for Friday was La Musee de Les Invalides, an unbelievably imposing complex of buildings and gardens on the Left Bank of the Seine. The original structure was commissioned by Napolean as a place to house and care for soldiers. Napolean's tomb, as well as the tombs of other key military figures, is located here.

Had to jump really high to get this shot of Les Invalides

 

Can see right to the Seine from the Invalides courtyard

Dave captured the essence of Napolean perfectly

Napolean's Tomb

Napolean depicted around walls as a deity

Napolean's Chapel

Always a dome!

 





I opted out of this tour, choosing instead to spend my afternoon at the smaller, less imposing, but so beautiful Rodin museum next door. Rodin donated his home and his entire collection of his and many others work treasures to the city in 1908, providing they made it available to the public.

Rodin's museum

Large cast of The Thinker - original inside!

The Kiss

beautiful from every angle

The Gates of Hell

The Canadian Nymph

I think this sculpture was called Despair

The Awakening

The military gang made their way to Rodin eventually, their eyes and minds dazed by what they witnessed there, and we headed off to do what all pilgrims to Paris do - shop for souvenirs in the stores along the Seine.
The Latin Quarter was our final stop in the city, and what fun it was. We walked down the cobbled, winding street, and were delightfully harassed by the restaurant hosts, each one insisting their food was the best in Paris. We opted for a Greek restaurant - and not because the host looked like Adonis! Wes had spotted this one days before and was excited about the meat roasting on charcoal in the window. it turned out to be a great choice. The food was fantastic, and the service equally so.
So, a final train ride home, and Paris became a beautiful memory.

I thought this little angel wanted to be my friend

Then Wes showed me this!

Saturday - What happens when you give yourself permission to sleep in? Right - up bright and early Saturday with no agenda other than to catch our breath, walk to a village (or two if you are Pam and Dave), make use of the pool and steam room, and sit in the sun. Did I say sun?? Of course I did, because after a week of early spring chill and light showers, the sun burst through with an unfamiliar warmth on Saturday! We had a great day, and spent a treat of a time on a sun (and drink) filled deck in the late afternoon.  Our last supper in France was a tasty repeat of our first, meats, cheeses, and breads picked up at the local boulangerie and market. During it we went round the table three times, naming our top, second, and third top moments, sites, etc. I have to admit the French wine I consumed that day has made my memory faulty, but I do remember it as a special moment of reflection. Nancy's choices stayed with me, as she focused on feelings rather than places:
1. Confidence - that she could tackle the language and country and have such a great time doing so.
2. Pride - in being a Canadian.
3. Awe - agreed!

 

And Sunday - Bon voyage, France. You outdid yourself in your welcome! Another Sheridan Plus adventure is behind us. Time to start planning #4!! Just a few more photos of our home away from home, the resident geese and swans, and a gaggle of happy travelers heading home.

Thanks for joining us on our journey to France.

Au revoir

xoxoxo