Another day, another pastry fix. We are settling into a routine with our 2 croissants. With it, Hera had the cream brioche, while I tried their equivalent of an apple turnover. Of course it was delicious.
Today we were off to the Champs Elysees. If there ever was an iconic grand boulevard, the Champs Elysees is it.
Soon we were back on rue St. Denis, the southern end this time. A lively street full of people and various restaurants. But one can only eat so much. So we enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood as we got closer to home.
We decided to start off at the Arc de Triomphe. Larger than any Roman triumphal arch it is a grand structure with several boulevards radiating outwards, which gives the impression of a star. The climb up, almost 300 steps, is well worth the view. You get an impressive view of the Champ Elysees, lined up with the Obelisk of Place de la Concorde (where the guillotine once stood), the Tuileries Gardens and then the Louvre.
Looking the other way along the same axis is the large rectangular Grande Arche de la Defense amid the skyscrapers. In a sense, history is played out along this axis. The ancien regime of the Louvre decapitated by the revolution (place de la Concorde), the growth and exuberance of the French Empire (Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe) and continuing to the future with La Defense (business). Or politically, Monarchy superseded by democracy that is now being superseded by high finance.
Back on street level, we started to walk the Champs Elysees. Not a shopper myself, one still cannot help but be impressed. The stores are magnificent. and the crowds of people add a vibrant energy. We took our time and wandered in and out of many establishments, including quick peeks into two wonderfully elegant cafes, Fouquet's and Laduree. Perhaps we will drop by again for a dessert one day.
The shopping ends at Round Point, which then leads to a set of gardens laid out centuries ago by Maria de Medici with the Grand and Petit Palaces within it. Continuing onward is the Place de la Concorde, with the 3000 year old Egyptian obelisk. It is sobering to imagine this area packed with eager onlookers watching so many lose their heads here.
Crossing over, we enter the lovely Tuileries Gardens. We found a couple of chairs and rested like so many others at the large round pool. We chatted and people watched, then got up and continued on our way.
Soon we were facing the pyramids in the inner courtyard of the Louvre. We made our way out of a side entrance, and wandered along a few streets until we settled on a place to relax and enjoy a nice cold beer. Yes, we ought to drink wine in France, but on a nice long hot day, a cold refreshing beer is just perfect.
Rehydrated, we continued our walk. We had planned on trying a restaurant near our apartment, but Carpe Diem Cafe caught our fancy and we decided to give it a try.
We shared a Salmon Tartare, that was excellent. Hera again had her steak tartare, while I tried their Duck Magret. This time, my duck magret was wonderful. The black cherry sauce was delicate and slightly sweet, and I could taste the perfectly cooked duck.
We had originally planned on having dessert, but we were quite full by the end of our meal. A delightful find.
Soon we were back on rue St. Denis, the southern end this time. A lively street full of people and various restaurants. But one can only eat so much. So we enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood as we got closer to home.
