The top of the Protestant church where the wedding was held.
I think those nets are pigeon crap protectors.

When there aren't events, two homeless guys and a dog sleep here. Michael has given them baguettes and fruit. Yesterday, when we got home they waved to us.

Looking Left Down Rue St. Honore.

And Looking Right.

We were starting to get really tired from running around, although we have managed to visit quite a few sights there is a biggie practically next door that we hadn't yet explored - the Musee du Louvre. We got there shortly after 9am and immediately headed for the Mona Lisa. Well, what can I say except it was really small, covered by glass, and surrounded by a million tourists. Afterwards, we spent some time looking at some of the Italian and French paintings, and then headed over to see The Winged Victory of Samothrace (which we called "The Wing Thing") and the Venus de Milo. Although these "biggies" are probably at the top of everyone's list when they visit the Louvre, I was far more impressed with the vast collection of Etruscan, Roman, and Greek antiquities.

Although there are limits on what can be photographed in the Louvre, we did take a few good photos:

Venus de Milo

Hermaphrodite has male parts and female parts. :)

The reception area.

Near the Carrousel Louvre Shopping Area.

After the Louvre, we hopped over to the Latin Quarter again - we had visited there early Sunday morning and really liked it, but a lot of the shops and restaurants were closed. After some shopping, we stopped in for a really expensive beer and light bite at the legendary "Les Deux Magots" on Boulevard St. Germain - one of Hemingway's hang outs during his Paris period.

Price for two beers, one bottle of water, one croque monsieur, and
one cup of gazpacho? About $46 U.S. Ouch!

We strolled down Boulevard St. Germain, and came across a crepe stand where they make them fresh (so much better than the reheated crepes found at some of the super-touristy areas). I was still hungry - my $10 cup of gazpacho notwithstanding - and bought a sugar and banana crepe. This was the single most delicious thing I have eaten in Paris:

Mmmmmmm ... crepes ...

Michael had one with butter and sugar only, and agreed it was the best meal so far. Sometimes the simplest things are just the best.

After a quick stop back at the apartment to clean up, we walked all the way to Place des Vosges and sat on a park bench for a little while watching people. We then made our way across the Seine to the quiet little island of Ile Saint- Louis and stopped at the legendary ice-creamery Berthillion for a scoop of their sinfully delicious glace'. Michael had pistachio and I had burnt sugar caramel - it was absolutely the most incredible ice cream I've ever had - it tasted just like the ice cream version of the crunchy part of Almond Roca.

We then walked back across the Seine to the Right Bank to go to a restaurant we had spotted on the way back from Le Marais the night before. It was called Au Bourgignon and was on a very scenic little corner. We sat at a table outside and Michael ordered Steak Au Poivre and Frites, and even though he ordered medium, the steak was still mooing - no way I would have eaten that but he managed to and proclaimed it the best meal in Paris. I had a penne pasta with chorizo and tomato creme fraiche - the flavors were so clean and bright, I felt like crying right there at the table! We lingered for a couple of hours enjoying the scene and then made our way to pack, clean up, and get ready for our train ride to London.

Goodbye Paris, I will miss you - you sexy, well-planned metropolis with friendly waiters (really!). See you again in a few years.

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¶ 11:12 PM