ABC Wednesday: Z is for Zig-Zag Through Paris

I (Grace) flew to Paris in late April, right after the Iceland volcano ashes subsided.  I had a free Saturday, so off I went with my camera around Paris.  I started at Place des Vosges located at the Marais district between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements.  It is the oldest planned square.  The sound of the cello filled the Square.

All the housefronts were built to the same design of red brick with strips of stone quoins over vaulted arcades that stand on square pillars.

Two pavilions in the north and the south, that rise higher than the unified roofline of the square center offer access to the square through triple arches.

The wall of the arch way from the square to the street is painted.  The black and white version of this photograph evokes a certain sense of nostalgia.  

Here I was, in front of the colorful art gallery with my reflection on the window.  

It is another view of the store front with the arcade.  

After I left Place des Vosges, I walked along Rue des Francs Bourgeois where I saw a pretty woman sitting by the window with sun shining onto her blond hair.  

I noticed this little girl with a red dress running along by her father's side.

Then along rue Veille du Temple, I saw two young women wearing bright colored wigs and big sunglasses, kind of retro look. 

Further along, I saw a guy with wings giving away some kind of brochures, kind of unreal?  He was right in front of a Corsican restaurant.  It was time for lunch!

The interior of the restaurant is rather rustic, and the food was very authetic.

This the other side of the wall.

After the lunch, I went across the bridge to Ile Saint-Louis in the 5th arrondissement.  It a small island next to the more famous Ile de la Cite where Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle were built on.  Many storefronts are charming!

On this tiny island lies a magnificent catholic church, St. Louis-en-l'ile.  It was built in 1622.  From the exterior, you can't tell how immense and impressive it is. 

Finally, I ended up at Place de l'Opera.  The afternoon sun was shining onto the statues on top of the Opera House which made the building even more glorious!

At last, time for dinner, I went into a highly decorative restaurant to have my favorite Parisien seafood plate.  What a nice zig-zag through Paris!

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