Venturing out in Paris

Today we made sure we took the map with us!! Michael had worked out that just about everything is within walking distance from our flat, we decided to just walk in the direction of Rue du Louvre and see where it took us, hopefully it would lead us to the Louvre. We wandered in the wrong direction for a little while, because I got a bit carried away with all the shops in our immediate area that were fabric (tissues) or clothing orientated. Soon, however we decided to go back and we found our way to Rue Des Petits Carreaux, where there are signs on the wall pointing out the direction and walking time to the Opera, 15 minutes in one direction, the Louvre 15 minutes in the opposite direction and a couple of other places as well.

Michael outside the entrance to our building

Fabric shops at the end of our street

Just around the corner from our flat

One of the many fascinating doors of Paris

 We followed this around the corner, into and along  Rue de Clery until we crossed Rue Reaumur, where we passed the Metro station Sentier, further along Rue de Clery we crossed Rue Montmatre and turned into Rue du Louvre, then full steam ahead, well when I say full steam I really mean full steam with photo stops every 15 or so steps. So in reality what should have been a 15 minute walk took us about an hour!!! Of course this is par for the course for us so we just carry on regardless. Rue du Louvre crosses Rue de Rivoli and this is where you come face to face with one end of The Louvre, oh my goodness it is a large building the significance of which is not fully comprehended at this point. Once you enter the first set of gates along from Rue du Louvre, it hits you like a brick, the place is absolutely massive, the square that you find yourself in, Cour Carree, has a low plain water feature in the centre, I imagine in better weather it spouts water from its centre, but not today. I was lost for words and all either of us could do was gawp in amazement, this was much bigger than I had expected. Of course there are statues everywhere on the building it is very grand.

Our first view of the Louvre

Walking through one of the entries, into Cour Carree

It absolutely huge!!

..and highly decorated!

 But it doesn’t stop there, we went through one of the building’s passage ways that took us under the upper levels into the Cour Napoleon where the glass Pyramids are. Now to say we were amazed and lost for words before, the sight that now met us actually brought tears to my eyes. I stood for a moment trying to take in the sight that spread before me. This place goes on forever, the adjectives huge and massive are not enough to describe this place. Michael and I agreed that nothing we had read, seen in movies or documentaries or been told prepared us for the reality of this place, its size beggars description! As we moved past the glass Pyramids to try to find the entrance, we could see that the building at the ends went across a road, traffic actually passed through archways on the lower level!!  And the Pyramids, there are 4 of them, the central one is the largest and most recognisable, three smaller ones sit one each on three sides, there is none on the side that faces away from the building where the view looks over the Jardin du Carousel and then to the Jardin Des Tuileries.

Heading through to the Cour Napolean and the famous glass pyramids.

Can't believe I'm actually here!

This sheer size of the Louvre is daunting.

We skirted the main pyramid, sure that the entry was through this, there were a lot of people milling around even though it was very cold and there was light rain. Hmm, a sign, it read The Louvre is not opened on Tuesdays. Hey we’re on holiday, what day is this anyway? Now let me see we arrived on Monday, yesterday, which makes this, oh bugger it’s Tuesday. Oh well now we know where it is and how long it takes to walk the distance, which shouldn’t so long the next time we come here. We made for the nearest exit and found we were able to look into parts of the gallery that was full of classical sculptures, oh another photo opportunity!! I sure hope my little Canon will last the distance. Michael reckons when we get home it will have to go in for its 50,000 photo service, he could have a point there!!

Looking down into one of the galleries..

my poor little camera worked overtime

another view looking down into a gallery

and yet another view looking into the closed gallery

We left the Louvre and crossed the road where we found the Art Deco entrance to the Metro underground, it is very quaint. Along the Rue de Rivoli we entered into the very warm confines of the Louvre des Antiquaries, a three level collection of antique shops selling some truly serious antiques. There are also a couple of modern, very exclusive design shops there too.

Part of the Art Deco entry to the Metro

Lamp post next to Metro entrance

Window display in one of the antique places opposite the Louvre

We headed back to have a good look at Les Halles and St Eustache church. As we approached I spotted a corner shop called Materiel des Cuisine, E. Dehillerin ( I think this is the proprieter). There were people sort of milling at the entry, it seemed to be a bit of a bottle neck and Michael joked “It looks like they’re queing to get in!”  This wasn’t far from the truth and was explained once we were inside the door. This place must have been here forever! It is stacked to the rafters with all manner of cooking equipment, all packed on ancient wooden shelving. Most of it was very French, very traditional. There was barely room to move, the narrow isles were crowded with people. I could not resist buying just a couple of things to take home.

Oh My this shop was so cool!

Michael perusing some of the old shelves full of cooking equipment

Shelves stacked to the rafters

View of St Eustache

Just through the front door to our building you then go through this security gate.......

through a glass door into this little courtyard

looking up from the courtyard ours is the second floor flat, directly above the lighted windows

Mmmmmm, macaroons

Yum!

We continued on to St Eustache and then down into Les Halles, this is a modern shopping mall that runs over 3 levels, all basically underground. We had lunch here in a bagel sandwich shop, with a drink and cake. Michael had a Pomes Tarte and I had a very nice Citron Merangue Tarte. A quick stop at the internet café, then we headed for home stopping for some provisions for dinner. The treat for tonight was a small box of macaroons, oh yes they are so nice!!!!!  So ends another day in this fascinating most liveable city where we are enjoying being pretend citizens and actually learning a little bit of the language and the ways of the locals.