After settling in and making a list of needed items, we ventured out to the corner market first and then came home to refrigerate the items. We noticed that our walk to the department store was right in line with Rick Steves’s first-night walking tour of the Latin Quarter.

Just as the description of our place stated, Notre Dame was around the corner. Seeing the place alive with visitors after the fire and the continued reconstruction was great. The line was incredibly long, so we admired the church from the outside. We knew we could return early in the morning when lines were shorter.

We then ventured to The Shakespeare and Company BookStore, a unique bookstore with a rich history! We both purchased books to read on our trip that supported our ventures in Paris. They also offer podcasts! I found it interesting that the most popular section in the store was the “romance” section. I purchased a book about Van Gogh and Sunflowers. Parish purchased “A Movable Feast” by Hemingway.

Seeing the Seine for the first time and watching all the activity surrounding the river was thrilling!

The department store BHV Marais was unique. It was fun seeing how they advertised the products and the extravagant perfume and clothing. What you love about Paris is that the modern is in the old buildings!

Did you know they call flashlights “torches?”

Our first dinner in Paris was lovely at the La Brasserie I’Isle Saint-Louis, 55 Quai de Bourbon, 75004 Paris! They do not take reservations, but you will get a table even if it is crowded! There are so many tables outside and inside. The bathroom is clean, and the service is lovely. Parish ordered German food—the Sauerkraut was delicious. I ordered an omelet, which is very popular at any meal in Paris, and we shared a charcuterie of cheese. Every bite is divine! We sat outside and enjoyed watching people on their bikes, walking with their children, enjoying Paris, and, of course, everyone was dressed in stylish clothes.

I will always be amazed at the parents traveling with their children on their bikes with items purchased at the market. It was their way of traveling despite what I felt seemed so dangerous! You have to experience Paris traffic to understand what I’m writing. They have bike lanes; however, a bike or motorized scooter/bike can weave in and out of traffic as they please, and they do! Yikes!

Here is a sample video near the Arc de Triomphe. We made a huge mistake when we visited the Arc! 🙂 More later on that funny story.

We noticed a lively crowd of young adults holding a dish wrapped in paper. We asked what they were eating, and they shared a local favorite—a crepe cafe around the corner. After dinner, we visited the crepe cafe and walked home to our apartment, enjoying the warm chocolate and banana! Every corner you turn is another adventure in Paris. Every street has its charm. Get lost in Paris! Some of the streets reminded me of Venice, Italy.