The Marais

Sande, Kayla, Kate and I headed off to the Marais Friday morning.  We wanted to check out the covered Marché Enfants Rouges.  We got a little turned around and found the entrance to an old school for boys that looked pretty cool next to the more modern Boulangerie.  Notice the motorcyclist whooshing by.


Boys School City of Paris

We saw a butcher shop with an interesting sign on the way to the Marché.

We finally found the market and it had Moroccan food.  It was still pretty early so things weren't really hopping yet.  I did buy a few white peaches there. 
This is the oldest covered market in Paris.  It was established in 1628 and was named for the children dressed in red who were cared for in an orphanage that used to be on the site.

Sande, Kayla and Kate walking into the Market

We also went to the shop Merci.  Sande and Jenny Munford had found this shop last time they were here.


Kate and Kayla in the courtyard of Merci

Sande, Kate and Kayla entering Merci



Merci Wall Mural

This mural was on the wall to the right as we walked in.  We all looked twice, thinking that the man on the ladder was real.

Kate finally found some sunglasses--she has been looking all over Paris.  They were so comfortable, we ended up buying two pairs.


Sunglasses at Merci

After Merci we were ready for a little break.  We decided we wanted some comfort food and Sande knew just where to go--Breakfast in America--right in the Marais.


Breakfast in America

Kayla and Kate were craving bagels and fresh squeezed orange juice.  Sande and I split blueberry pancakes.  Everything tasted so good!  Kate wants freshly squeezed orange juice every morning now.


Jeanene and Kate

Kayla and Kate at
Breakfast in America

We went across rue St. Antoine to the Eglise Saint Paul.  Last time we were here it was covered in scaffolding.  It has been beautifully cleaned and restored.



Kate and Kayla at St. Paul's

Façade of St. Paul's

Across from St. Paul's was the street with the fire department.  French flags were strung across the street.  Everyone is getting ready for Bastille Day on Monday.  And then les sapeurs-pompiers came out in their truck responding to a call.  Too bad Andrew wasn't with us to see it all.

French tricolor flags strung across the street

Les Sapeurs-Pompiers

We shopped around the Marais a bit and Sande found a great purse and Kate a pair of sandals.  But it started raining (of course) and we decided that shopping in BHV, the big department store at Hôtel de Ville, might keep us a little dryer. 

Waiting for the Metro

BHV is where Sande found these evening bags for Kate and Kayla that double as weapons.  Can you see the spikes?

We still had a lot more shopping and exploring to do, but our feet were pretty tired so we headed back to the apartment.