Les Vacances: Day 14: The Marais

Today we slept in and took our time getting out and about. Around 2:30, we hopped on the bus toward Le Cqfe des Chats. This is not just a clever name--it's a cafe where about 8 cats live and spend their time being adored and petted by people who love cats and/or miss their own felines while in Paris. Or maybe just some crazy cat ladies (you know who you are). Unfortunately, the place was full and we had to come back in 2-1/2 hours. We then felt the need to fortify ourselves with some of the best gelato in the world at a place Kat and I discovered 5 yrs. ago in front of Le Centre Pompidieu. It was sublime. Best ever. We then made our way over to rue Montorgueil and were totally smitten with the area. A nonfiction book I read before coming here, called Almost French, took place in that area and I think we saw the eccentric street man mentioned in that book.

By then, it was time to head back to the kitties. It was truly amazing. Stop reading here if you're not a cat lover. The cafe had an upstairs and downstairs and had almost a cave feel to it due to the old stone walls inside. There were about 5 tables upstairs with about 5 cats lounging in various places: Downstairs, where we were had about 8 tables and a sofa and chairs; along with numerous cat scratching posts and cat condos. We had hot chocolate and lemonade next to a sweet black tortoiseshell. Nearby was a sleeping calico. What a fun place! I do have to admit that it took a few moments to get used to the litter box smell in the basement. (But there was definitely no cat fur in the food.)

We decided to get some dinner and maybe take a boat ride on the Seine after dark. We found a brasserie on the riverside and feasted on steak and french
fries. Just as we were leaving, the rain started hesitantly and we decided (without any hesitation) to bag the boat idea and headed toward Notre Dame and our bus. We decided to stop at the cathedral to see if we could peek in and found ourselves outside the church watching a procession of priests (and maybe a cardinal) in a ritual for l'Assumpcion. This is celebrated by Catholics in France every August 15th, and acknowledges the day Jesus' mother ascended to heaven. The plaza was full of celebrants, curious people like us, and I'm sure a few pickpockets. Umbrellas up, we headed for the bus stop and a bus appeared within minutes. Paris must have zillions of transit drivers because we never have to wait more than 10 minutes for any buses or trains.

All in all, a great day was had by all. Back in the apartment, exhausted, around 9:30, the bed was calling us. We walked 5.8 miles today.

Kudos to the weather gods--it's been in the 70s and VERY pleasant.

Cat count today: 8 Trip total: Too many to count anymore!

--Gail

Best. Gelato. Ever.

Proof is in the tasting.


rue Montorgueil (The man on the left in the red shirt and apron is apparently a butcher and was walking down the street with two huge butcher knives by his side!)