Les Voyages de Charlotte

We did a “highlights” tour of the Louvre this morning (thanks to Rick Steeves).  Sketching was done.  Some of us were relaxed.  Photos were taken.  We did *not* wait in this line to get up close to the Mona Lisa.  Charlotte refused to re-enact Les Mis with me.  After the museum, we visited E. Dehillerin but did * not* buy a full set of copper pans.  Or a ladle as big as Charlotte’s head.  And we made a stop at the cutest yarn shop ever.  And finally, lunch.  After that, a swing through Galeries Lafayette — so fancy! And we took the Metro back to our hotel for some air conditioning. Did I mention that it was well into the 90s today? Whew! We all got a little rest in the air conditioning, and then had a most delightful dinner at Le Petit Prince near our hotel. Charlotte’s dessert unfortunately caught fire.  We fly home tomorrow. What a trip we’ve had!

We rented a car for the day to make the trip to Chartres Cathedral and Monet’s home in Giverny. So much to see! But first, breakfast.  Then, the Metro to pick up our car.  First stop: Chartres Cathedral.  Charlotte has now mastered the vertical panorama.  The west windows.  The “Blue Virgin” window.  Lighting a candle, as one does.  Next up: Monet’s house and garden at Giverny.  Charlotte has decided she needs a room like this. (Former studio, then sitting room.) But mostly, she took a zillion pictures of flowers and the gardens.  Back to Paris! We got a great view of the Eiffel Tower on our way back into town, with the bonus mini Statue of Liberty in the foreground.  After dinner in the Place de la Sorbonne, Charlotte and I got the prettiest gelato ever.  But it’s so hot we had to eat it really quickly! Tomorrow, the Louvre — just the highlights, we’re all pretty wiped out — and some shopping. Flying home on Thursday!

Today we packed up and traveled from Bourdeilles to Paris —driving to Angoulème to return the rental car and then taking the TGV.  But first, lunch in Bourdeilles (Zucchini and tomato quiche with goat cheese): And we added some of our rescued textiles to the kitchen door: We had some time to waste before our train, and it was way too hot to walk around. I found the French equivalent of a Joann Fabric, and right next door was Angoulème’s version of Odd Lot: Next up, the big E. LeClerc grocery store to get some provisions for the train ride. But not this.  She settled for the regular size. Plus some Trader Joe’s peanuts from Aldi!?! Charlotte drew for most of the ride with some new markers she got at the not-Odd Lot.  We caught the sunset at 290 km/hr.  And made it back to Paris! Turns out we can just barely see Notre Dame from our rooms this time: And we enjoyed a late-night digestif just up the street.  Tomorrow, Chartres cathedral and Giverny.