On first full day in Paris we decided to head to the Arc de Triomphe, the famous one this time. When we arrived the final marathon had just been raced, and they were starting to remove the hoardings.
Us at the famous one. Paris 2024. At the 39km mark. A Spanish couple politely asked a Policeman if they could take this home with them. We thought packing that would be an absolute nightmare.
Champ-Élysées
From there we strolled down the Champ-Élysées as one does.
Fancy. Giant Louis Vuitton bag.
We splurged and got coffee and macrons at L’Occitane, this was worth it. The macrons were insanely good.
Insanely good macronsInsanely good coffeeA very happy Marnie.
Subsequent coffee near famous places have been unfailing disappointing experiences.
Gardens in Paris are top notch. After some more strolling. Arc de Triomphe in the distance. Le Petite Palais. The big one across the road was closed for the Paralympics. Jeff Koons giant hand sculpture ‘Bouquet of Tulips’ beside the Petite Palais. Big.Alexander III Bridge. Classy. Auckland really needs to up its gold statue on a bridge game.
Musée d’Orsay
We head to the Musée d’Orsay we hadn’t realised that it used to be an old railway station. It has an amazing range of art from the 1800s.
MO. Serious side eye. Monet. Water lilies. So typical.Van Gogh with ear. Clocked it.
Notre Dame
The Musée d’Orsay is quite close to Notre Dame, which is on the Îl de la Cité. On the way we passed a few interesting spots.
Institut de France. For clever-clogs. Paris Mint. Mint.Notre Dame, the roof and spire are completed it’s apparently opening in December 2024.The rebuilt spireSad looking gargoyles.
On the way back we saw some of the Paralympics closing ceremony celebrations.
Fan zone at Place de l’Hôtel de VilleDancers at the fan zoneTour Saint Jacques, it was a church but was destroyed during the revolution, in the 1820s it was used as a shot-tower. It’s now a national monument.The Pompidou Centre by Fosters & Partners. Space Invader – at the Pompidou. Space Invader again.Patisseries on the wayThe Jewish Tunisian Bakery down the street, we had hoped to try some, but it was closed when we went back. Folies Bergère was down the road, it’s a music venue now, but had previously been a cabaret hall. Turns out that Manet set a famous painting there and Josephine Baker had danced there. Our hotel
MM4.Travel 
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