Travel Tales: At Home in Paris

#8 Rue des Lombards

When we leave the American Homestead we still like to feel at home.

So, when we travel we try to rent apartments or condos.  We are not happy

in hotels where one must spend most of their time sitting on a bed.

In Paris, that home is located in the 4th arrondissement in the

 Marais District on the right bank.  It is on a quiet street in a very old

area of the city.  It is a section of the city with winding streets

and beautiful old architecture.

The small streets are safe enough that we would allow our kids,

 even when quite young, to go out alone to explore the neighborhood. 

 They would walk the few short blocks to the very modern Pompidou Centre

 and stroll through the shops or people watch near the fountain garden.

Notre Dame cathedral is a few blocks away and each day I

 would walk past it a few times on my way to and from the Metro. 

After a few days, I found myself not even noticing it and made

myself stop and appreciate it each time I went past.

The apartment had beautiful wood floors and wood beams

on the ceiling.  It had a big table that was the center of our experience, 

we made beautiful meals from the little kitchen.

To us, travel is not about always dining out but heading to the

local markets to see what is in season and carrying home a few baguettes

 under your arm.  We like to live like the locals do.

Life in France is so much about bread and sometimes it was so good

we would use it up before the end of our meal but we could send

Brennan out with a few Euros and in minutes he would be back

with warm baguettes.

Every morning my brother and I would sneak out quietly and explore

the deserted streets, taking photos in the early light,

popping into a bar for a cafe au lait and always going to our favorite

boulangerie to buy pain au chocolat, croissants and

of course, the morning baguettes.

Back at home we would open the windows and listen to the bells

ring from the Church of Saint Merry around the corner.

Au Revoir Paris