We arrive with Solstice!

We arrived mid day Friday June 20th to our rented apartment after traveling for about 24 hours. Plez had found this flat for us thru the internet almost a year ago when this whole crazy idea started. Sometimes pictures can be way off, but in this case we were very pleased with what we found at the top of 4 flights of some seriously steep and winding stairs. Furnished in 'antiques' and super comfy beds, the apartment, in a 19th century building, could not be more 'French'!

Once checked in, we hit the showers and fought off the jet lag to head out for a bite at a local bistro where a cold beer and some amazing food welcomed us to Paris. The waiter was charming (required here, I think) and we all swooned for our first taste of the best ham, the best goat cheese, and the best smoked salmon we had all ever enjoyed. Barely able to keep out eyes open, we hiked up those stairs and all crashed- hard- by 6 or 7pm. Of course, that meant we all woke up again a few hours later, and by 2:00 am were sitting around the living room in jammies, wishing we had bought some goodies. Somehow we got back to sleep and began early Saturday, leaving the house by 9:00 am. It is the 21st! Summer Solstice!

Today we wandered- and ate- our way through the nieghborhood, spotting shops and cafes we want to go back to. Blocks from so much history, it was hard to not gasp at every corner, parc and church we passed. This area- the Marais in 4 eme. arr- includes the well known fountain filled park, Place des Vosges, Victor Hugo Museum, and one of my favs from trips here over 20 years ago, the Picasso Museum.

Tonight there is a Music Festival throughout the city, with free entertainment for all.