More food and games in Paris

Paris provides an elegant and stylish backdrop to The Summer Olympic Games. The addition of historic monuments, beautiful parks, world class museums and delicious restaurants created a gold medal visit.

Breakfast in Paris without a croissant or a baguette? Not in our world! We were more than pleased with the amazing and photo worthy selections at Mamiche and The French Bastards.

After breakfast, our last few days in Paris were filled with watching football, Skateboarding and other Urban Games (Break, BMX and 3×3 Basketball) at stadiums or cheering other events on large screens, either way our Olympic spirit stayed strong. There was even a halftime stadium sing-a-long to Sweet Caroline at the US-Japan football match. Our respect for the athletes and their sports has grown and the joy of watching them achieve their goals is heart warming.

There are many arrondissements (neighborhoods) to explore in Paris; all filled with parks, monuments, bistros and sometimes markets. The oldest covered market in Paris was established in 1628 in the Marais neighborhood (3rd and 4th). The Marché des Enfants Rouges is filled with fruit, vegetables, flowers and restaurants. We entered with full bellies (remember; croissants for breakfast) making the market a scouting experience for a later meal. After, we headed to a nearby park for some people watching and some shade, there was added entertainment with a friendly ping pong game going on.

Our meals were Olympic eating events. We ate at bistros and kept to French cuisine. Typically there was room for cheese and most times dessert too. The well established bistro Le Bon Georges where the wine list is enormous and their loyal patrons get a bracelet to mark their tables uses seasonal ingredients for their menu. Sharing a few dishes and a few wines was a fun filled afternoon.

It is hard to squeeze in museums between eating and sporting events but we managed a few hours in the Musee de L’Orangerie and the Petit Palais plus their sculpture gardens. We walked around the outside of the Louvre and the d’Orsay knowing each one is a multi-hour visit. There will be another trip devoted to the museums.

Near the Seine and the Musée D’Orsay is a fun bistro, Les Antiquaires always filled with locals and tourists. The staff is knowledgeable and able to squeeze between the tightly set tables without any mishaps. The fresh seafood and shellfish are outstanding. To change the flavor, the profiterole with ice cream and hot fudge is up to the task.

Paris glitters with gold, silver and bronze even with road closures and giant barricades to pen in crowds. The Eiffel Tower, the Arc d’Triomphe and the Olympic Flame are picture perfect from every angle and at all hours.

The city of love, the city of lights, Paris has charmed us. Nous Aimons Paris, we will return for more love and lights…and croissants!