It is said by some that, it is impossible to have a bad meal in Paris. If not altogether true, Paris is known for it's wonderful restaurants, be they expensive grand and gourmet, or the small Bistros, Brasseries and ethnic cafe's.
Today we have a wonderful lunch at Laserre, a grand, gourmet restaurant. We enter through a street level entrance and are greeted by a young man, who transports us upstairs in a tiny elevator. The door opens to a elegant dining room, of white clothed tables, many flowers and a glass roof that opens to the afternoon sky. Laserre translates to mean" Greenhouse."
We are seated by the maitre de table. He summons the Sommellier,who after a short consultation,brings us a bottle of a Beaune 29, a wine older then we are. Our meal is sumptuous, delicious and pleasing to both the eye and the taste buds. The Wine the best I have ever tasted. Dessert is a glorious concoction, served in a caramel basket. When we depart we are presented with a tiny memento of our visit, a tiny china bowl, with a handle. This is probably the best lunch I've ever eaten.
After lunch we sit in the on the embankment across from Notre Dame, relaxing and letting our lunch settle, while watching the barges plying their trade on the river. The Bargeman's wife, hangs clothes on a line and their baby plays in a playpen at her feet. A *Bateaux Mouches filled with tourists swoops by. We wave.
Our next stop is the Ile de France Gothic, Notre Dame Cathedral, with it's glowing rose windows, gargoyles and vast history. Napoleon crowned himself here in 1802, when the once unpopular church, again became Cathedral of Paris.
We enter the dark Nave, but can see the shafts of light from the sanctuary,lighting a cluster of pillars. The sanctuary, itself is a glow of colour as sunlight shines through it's coloured glass walls and rose windows of imperial purple. It is a sight not to be missed.
Our next tour is a little bit different. We start out at the famous, Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. (Flea market of St. Ouen) the largest in Paris. The St Ouen Flea market covers 12 km and includes eight main markets:
1. Vernason 99 rue des Rosiers/136 avenue Michelet There are approximately 300 stalls where one may buy everything from jewels to furniture and old chandeliers.
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