A posse of cycling police chase after illegal street vendors who disperse rapidly, running off, dodging the traffic. A jolly evening birthday celebration meal in a restaurant near N and P's place.
The dining areas are set around an atrium on three floors with the central roof open to the sky, as it is a warm clear evening. After, we dash across to the Eiffel Tower to just catch the 11.00 illuminations.
Next morning we follow a walk around the neighbouring 14th Arrondisement, passing ubiquitous 19th century ornate green water fountains, the boulangerie that came second in the best baguette in Paris competion, and down a side street a 19thC church dedicated to workers and constructed on a steel frame. A bit like a small railway station, there are murals to Carpenters, painters and steel workers, but no quarry men! The cemetery at Montparnasse is a shady quiet haven, with tombstones marking graves of Samuel Beckett, Sartre, various generals, and lots of other famous French.
Finally The Palais de Luxembourg set in gardens busy with joggers and pétanque players. On the way back to the apartment we inspect the stands of hire bikes and note that quite a lot are in need of repairs. There are also ranks of little electric cars plugged in, waiting to be hired. Water is discharged down the gutters each morning to clean them.
Location:Paris
