Friends

We started our last full day in Paris with a short walk from our hotel to the place I (Martha) most wanted to see...the home of Gertrude Stein and Alice ! Toklas. In order to get in the mood for Paris, I have been retreading "The Autobiography of Alice B.Toklas and had a grand time seeing many of the places mentioned in the book. And the one I most wanted to see is the one closest to our hotel. 27 Rue de Fleurus is the home where they hosted the writers and painters including Picasso, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Matisse, and other friends she called the Lost Generation.

We found it easily, and the real treat was the construction going on so that the doors were left open and we could peer in.

We caught the Metro to visit Notre Dame. We didn't climb to the top, but did enjoy the tour.

We stopped to eat at a nearby cafe, and Nora ran into the friends from her school that she was hoping to find. She found out they were meeting at St Michael plaza after some free time, and met them there. They were surprised to see her and enjoyed catching up before we parted ways.

Our friend Jen gave us many great suggestions, but her one MUST DO was Centre Pompidou and the surrounding neighborhood. Jen was right (as usual)! We spent the afternoon riding the escalator to the top of the Centre Pompidou, touring the modern art collection, and enjoying the amazing views. What an amazing treat that could easily have been missed. Easily some of the best people watching was in the Beauborg area around the art center, and we all agreed the best baguette and best chocolate croissant we had in Paris was just across the street.

We took a walk through the Jewish Quarter, and enjoyed the sights and smells of the diversity. Turkish food, felafel, narrow winding street filled with interesting people. A great experience in this neighborhood. Thanks, Jen!

With this visit we made it to the 7 major neighborhoods described in our guidebook: Left Bank, Major Museums, Historic Core, Champs Elésée, Monmarte, Marais, and Eiffel Tower.