11th June 2012

After a fairly relaxing morning in the appartment, we set off for Versailles, we walked to Gare Austerlitz to catch the regional train (RER). No waiting and a very quiet train. It was quiet even at our destination - picking up some paninis in the little villag, it was a fantastic little shop, the queue was out the door and all the display shelves were full of amazing looking deserts - then past the stables for the main event. It was all a French experience after that, just like the river bus the day before, just sorry but walk now, we can't do anything else ... the same here at Versailles, we could have had the afternoon looking around the extensive grounds, as they are free and open, instead we were advised by the gendarme on duty that Musee D'Orsay was open go see that!!! We did only to find that the place was closed as was the entire nearby neighbourhood!

Good tip for Paris is to remember that Monday's is usually CLOSED!!!

We did find that we were close by to Deux Magots and decided on a hot chocolat there, which we did. The waiter was friendly and efficient. A nearby family were having issues with the toddler, and on their way out we noticed that the little one was holding onto a nice glass from the cafe! Luckily mum noticed in time and hurriedly rescued said glass to return it to the table. We all had a good laugh. We took to some of the smaller streets on the way back to the river, which were beautiful as well as the usual funny array of strange buildings. The strangest thing was that most of the cobble stones around the Latin Quarter have disappeared!

On the way home we found another crepe and a rest at the appartment, before the evening out in a nice little french restaurant.



We had chosen Tire-Bouchon (means Corkscrew) in Rue Mouftard for its authentic menu and the fact it was the smallest restaurant in France. We ordered from the generous fixed price menus and the food was absolutely superb. Caroline had the onion soup gratinee and Guy had the biggest seafood salad in history as entree. Next came the pasta with 4 frommages and according to Guy the duck was just caught it was so tasty.

Desert was accompanied by candles and a happy birthday song and champagne courtesy of the owner. The Aussies on the next table joined in. It was a fabulous night and the creme brulee was sparkling.








WEDNESDAY 12/6/2012

Today we started early for the RER and had more success as the Chateau Versailles, it was open! And man what a crowd. Almost the entire courtyard in front of the gates were full of people snaked around waiting to get in. Guy had to run to get our tickets as we didn't realise that that was yet another queue. It was cold and rainy and eventually we did get in. It was rather challenging to get decent photos when you have to dodge the tour groups and school groups. The collection was a bit different this time and though there are still renovations happening, most seems to have been completed. At least we got into the hall of mirrors this time and it was amazing! Guy was disappointed that his all time favourite painting, the magnificent victory of Jaques Marteland his 10,000 Franks at Poitiers in 732 AD against the 40,000 Moors had been moved to another musuem, hopefully the D'Orcay. :(

It was much better outside, we caught the little train up the other end of the extensive grounds to find ourselves to find Marie Antoinette's house and gardens. A first for me as last time we didn't have the energy to do it at all last time (just managed to walk there and have a look through the fence! Then stagger all the way back!)

Both of the palaces there and the grounds were beautiful and the train was fantastic despite the drivers being rather grumpy and tired.

We left Versailles at6pm and caught the RER back to Sainte Michel where we nicked into a nice little bistro where the obligatory reclette with a stupid half warm heater and all day cooked burgogne was quickly consumed. We checked the size of the deserts being handed out and decided to have a crepe Nutella, a emporter (takeaway) from a little man's shop in Rue Sainte Genevieive le Montagne. Good choice and soon we were trodding and munching away toward the Franprix supermarket to get some yoghurt. Next task was to do the laundry but as it was after 9pm the rotten computer would not start the wash. Defeated we returned to the appartment.