Paris: July 9, 2004
Day 1: 7e & 8e

By Metro line 1 to place Charles de Gaulle. Arc de Triomphe was commissioned in 1806 by Napolean to commenmorate his imperial victories but remained unfinished when he started losing battles and then entire wars. We planed to walk from Arc de Triomphe through Ave de Champs-Elysees to Ponte de la Concorde. But we found it was boring just walking a street. The street was underrepair because the National Day of France is near at hand. We turned to south to the Seine when passed "Rond Point Champs-Elysee". By through the bridge "Pont Alexandre", we were at "Hotel des Invalides".  Arc de Triomphe
Hotel des Invalides Bridge
After visiting the place where Napolean beried, we went to the neighbourhood of Rue Cler which was recommend by Rick Steve. Rue Cler was full of food stores which sell fruit, vegetable and meat. But I had not seen open-air market. Maybe because it was not the day or it was late for the market to be opened. We found there was a big open-air food market near the apartment where we lived. It is on Blvd Richard Lenoir, from Metro Bastille to Metro Breguet Sabin. It is only open on Sunday, from 8am to 1pm. There were so many food in the market, from bread to fruit, vegetable, meat and seafood. As my host said, this is the biggest open-air food market in Paris. We decided to buy food when we back home. Unfortunately, when we went back, it was closed. I made a mistake for the open time!! We expected to go there on Tuesday (Lonelyplanet said it is also open on Tuesday), but nothing. It is a pity that we only bought bread and fruit. I was so eager to the big shrimk and fresh vegetabl caraway.
We didn't book the hotel La Serre because it costs 81 Eur per night (a bit expensive for a two star hotel). But we think this is great area for stay and experience Parisian life. The street was narrow, but every house has flowers. It is near Seine and many sightseeings. We went to have a look at Restaurant La Serre on Rue Exposition which was also recommended by Rick.  Restaurant La Serre
Champ de Mars From the neighbourhood of Rue Cler, we saw tower Eiffel was near at hand. But when we arrived at Champ de Mars, the rain was coming. So we took Metro back home.
Place des Vosges in the Marais (4e). Walk after dinner. We shared a private apartment with the host on Bd. Richard Lenoir (one minute walk to metro Richard Lenoir) in 11th district. We found that Place des Vosges is only two blocks west of the apartment where we lived! We decided to walk for exploring Paris the next day.   Place des Vosges

4,5&6e - Louvre - Sacre Coeur - Seine - National Day
Paris: 2004 Summer - Travel Albums
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