We arrived in Paris at 10:00am Tuesday morning exhausted since we hadn’t slept on the flight but an hour or so. Thus, not having to look for a cab but being met by our now familiar driver ( a young man originally from Yerevan), was great.  It was his day off but he came for us anyway.  Here he is with George in our little elevator. He told us to call him whenever we need anything. I think we will.   By now I’ve lost track of time because we’ve been sleeping a good part of each day. 

I forced myself to get up and out to shop for some staples at Monop — our little MonoPrix just two blocks from our apartment. I came back with a cart full of stuff, but forgot the most important of all- bread! So that was the first on our list today when by mid afternoon we dragged ourselves out to shop some more. Below you see George walking down along our street headed to the closest bakery.   Once inside, I saw to my dismay that they were sold out of just about all their bread.  I pointed to one of two loaves left but just as I did the woman helping me turned toward the back of the bakery and accepted a big basketful of freshly baked baguettes — hot out of the oven.  Lucky us!  In those few minutes the bakery went from empty of customers to having a line out the door.  For some it must be a routine — go for fresh bread at 3 pm.  (Monday-Friday: Closed Sat and Sun.) . Not to worry, there are three other bakeries equidistant from us that are open on Sat and Sun.  There is never a shortage of open boulangeries here.  (Why are the French thinner than we are? French portions are smaller than ours and they walk off the butter and cream calories they eat.  Last night friends with whom we had dinner walked home at 10:30 pm — 3 miles. )

Banette — our little bakery

Finally, back up in our apartment we each cut off a chunk of bread.  Delicious!  Note that this is a perfect baguette — with a very crisp crust (you’ll have to take my word for it), and with those pockets of air inside.  The bread is not solid dough — but airy and light.  It makes a huge difference in the taste. 

In the evening we had dinner on the I’sle St. Germain.  These are houseboats that line up all along the Seine.  I took the photo as we walked across the bridge to the island.   I’ve included a link to information about the island.  It is one of several in the Seine This one is just outside the city of Paris in the district, Issy-les-Moulineaux.    

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%8Ele_Saint-Germain#Description

We didn’t have time to walk much around the very big park on the island, unfortunately,  We’ll leave that for another day.  I’d never seen a sign like this one.  Instructions to cyclists — bicycle as if you were walking — at a walking pace: roulez au pas.   I learned something new — the phrase, au pas!  

A most charming setting — the restaurant was at one time someone’s home.  Inside was beautiful as well with glass all around, large but cozy with many different areas for seating some of which you can see below.  Valet parking?  8 euros — not bad.  While having dinner you can have your car washed for a tidy additional sum.