Toby and Allan in Paris, Corsica and Sardinia, 2024

Sunday September 29 was the coldest day of our trip so far.  High of 14C.  But no rain!!  We took the Métro to Les Halles.  Our intention was to see the Surrealism Exhibit at the Pompidou Museum. More subway lines now have barriers between the tracks and the trains.   The #1 line has had them for a while.  The #4 has them now. Subway poetry- entitled "Jesse Owens", When we got off the Métro, we first took a walk up one of our favourite food streets- Rue de Montergueil. Advertizing the Penguin movie The famous Stohrer patisserie- Inside where a purchase was made We initially got in one long line outside the Museum that turned out to be for the Pompidou library.  We then got into the line for folks without tickets-- after about a 20 minute wait spent chatting to the folks behind us, we saw a flashing sign that the Surrealism exhibit was sold out for the day.  We were going to wait a bit longer and see one of the other exhibits, but Alain talked to a...

Alain's birthday  on Saturday September 28 was a sunny, but cool day.  High of 15C.   We slept in and then took the Métro to Hôtel de Ville (City Hall).  There are often interesting photographs on the City Hall railings.  This year there were pictures by David Turnley, a Franco-American photographer, winner of the Pulitzer and other prizes for photography.  Turnley was born in Indiana in 1955 and moved to Paris at 19 to continue his French studies at the Sorbonne.  He has worked in more than 90 countries, covering many zones of conflict as well as documenting apartheid.  He has also taken many pictures of Paris, which he describes as "his spiritual city."  He lives in Paris with his family. David Turnley: Love and Hope 1974 2024 1975 1989 There was also an exhibit inside City Hall called "Paris" which started in May and runs until November. Sign for the exhibit There were a number of posters in the exhibit detailing life in Paris. Deciding To...

Thursday September 26 was a very rainy day.  High of 17C. We decided to go to the Saint-Germain neighbourhood on the left bank and pick up some favourite things. My favourite dark chocolate marshmallows at Pierre Marcolini Orange and ginger chocolate bars at À la Mère de Famille Apple tart at Poilâne on Rue du Cherche-Midi We stopped for a lovely bowl of lentil soup at Kaplan, also on Rue du Cherche-Midi.   Mediterranean menu with great service.  I forgot to take a food photo. We headed in the pouring rain to Le Bon Marché, the iconic department store.  They always have a theme and then sell products related to the theme. The store is also decorated in accordance with the theme.  Due to the Olympics, the theme for the summer and early fall is Paris, Paris!  Sales person with the Paris Paris branding Lots of clouds and Eiffel Towers Another view On the main floor a GIANT croissant--- way too big for consumption We had been planning to head to the Musée d'Ors...