Midnight Strolls in Paris

When it's 12 degrees celsuis in Paris, it's a good night for a stroll, don't put on too much, cos' as you walk, you'll get warmer.

I suddenly had the urge after dinner and reading, couldn't wait to get out of the room. I just wanted to go where my feet would take me. Any ways, you can never get lost in Paris, not more than in Venice. Join me for a stroll...

First, we take the metro and exit at line 4 St Michel. It's pretty well-known for its large fountain, I think this must be Paris' equivalent of the Trevi Fountain. Lotsa cafes, bars, restaurants line the streets fanning out of the Place St Michel.

I took the street St André des Arts, following all the way to Baci, Rue du Seine... got a little lost amongst a small network of boutiques and intimate cafes, cozy bistros, turning a corner, and suddenly there I was, on St Germain des Prés!

Even at this hour, there were still people at Les Deux Magots and Cafe des Flores... I prefer Les Deux Magots, it's nicely classique.

One of the joy of discovering Paris is the network of small streets, turn a corner from charming apartments with flower boxes of flowing geranium and suddenly you're faced with an imposing building....

... intellectual art collections....
.... to hip and zany galleries......

Following Rue Mazarin, I came to the Institut de France. Not sure what they do in there?

...which faces the Seine, there're a few river boats that bring you on a cruise and a dinner. Most of them are pretty touristy, but I spotted one old wood and green, and not many people. Perfect for a tête à tête glass on a night out.

Crossing the Pont des Arts, one of the few pedestrian bridges, (and wooden too!), I reach the eastern corner of the Louvre.

And facing that wall, was a remarkable church, Eglise St Germain l-Auxerrois.

Took a minute to breathe in the fresh cool air, watched the traffic a little along the thoroughfare of Rue de Rivoli, I then popped back into the metro line 1: Rivoli-Louvre (yes, many thought this was the underground of the actual Louvre musuem!), and 5 stops later, I'm back home just after midnight.....

Thanks for your company.