January in Paris with Kate

We were so lucky that Carter lent Kate to us for about three weeks in January. She arrived New Year's Day in the middle of the transit strike. Her arrival brought back happy memories being in the BYU apartment with Kate back up in her bunk bed in the other bedroom. We look forward to Andrew's arrival in March, although it won't be a long enough visit for me because he'll have to get back to the fire station.

Kelly loved running with Kate many mornings. Some days were gray and others so sunny.

Tour Eiffel in the Fog

No Tourists at the Louvre

Kate is training for a half marathon in Philadelphia in the fall and was trying to up her miles. Kelly was perfect to help her do that. He would plan different routes to see their favorite neighborhoods in Paris.

Sunny day in Paris

Running just hasn't been the same for Kelly since Kate left.

We did lots of walking while Kate was here, wandering in our favorite neighborhoods. Part of that was because of the unreliable transit, but Paris really is such a walkable city. One of her first days here, we went to Luxembourg Gardens. 

Le Pension Pedron

Palais du Luxembourg
Luxembourg Gardens

We stopped by the pension where Kelly and I met 40 years ago in January 1980 when we were on study abroad together. My room and our classes were up three flights of stairs and Kelly had a bedroom in the pension owner's apartment in the building next door. Our study abroad was the last six-month study abroad group BYU had and we were the last group to stay at the Pension Pedron.

We walked through the gardens, past the boulevard Saint-Michel and up the hill towards the Panthéon and Saint-Etienne-du-Mont. Now we were in the neighborhood where we stayed in 2018.

Walking up to the Panthéon

Saint-Etienne-du-Mont

We stopped at Place Contrescarpe by rue Mouffetard on the other side of the Panthéon. This is where Ernest Hemingway hung out. His apartment he lived in with Hadley and his son was just around the corner.

Place Contrescarpe

Hemingway's  Apartment on the Third Floor

We stopped at our apartment from 2018 and had to buy a palmier at our favorite neighborhood bakery-Boulangerie de la Tour. They are THE best palmiers. I miss their tradition style baguettes with the pointy ends.

Boulangerie de la Tour

Baker at Work at the Boulangerie

17, blvd Saint-Germain

Sande Krieger and Jenny Munford arrived less than a week after Kate. We had so much fun walking, shopping, eating and more. Despite the continuing transit strike, the RER C was running and we were able to go out to Les Chesnay near Versailles to the Paris Temple.

Christus Statue at Paris Temple

Kelly, Kate, Sande and Jenny
in front of the Paris Temple

Ladurée has opened a tiny shop on the rue Cler by us. It is dangerous to have it so close but we have been good at being reasonable. We made numerous trips to the "red" bakery for croissants, chaussons au pomme, pains au chocolat and salambos, among many other treats.

Macarons from Ladurée

Christmas Decorations of the rue Cler

We bought challah bread at the Jewish Bakery on rue des rosiers and had Kate's favorite Caprina pizza with goat cheese and honey. So good! 

Boulangerie on
rue des Rosiers

Pizza Pino

We also went with Kate to our favorite crêpe spot on boulevard Saint-Germain. The same nice guy works there. We love how the cheese pokes out of the top and gets crispy on the griddle.

Enjoying those Crêpes

We took a boat ride on the Seine. It was very cold and we were forced down below but we still enjoyed it. It is fun to see Paris from this angle. The temperature has been in the low 50s when it's rainy but when we have the beautiful blue sky it gets cold! 

Nôtre Dame

Pont Neuf--the oldest bridge in Paris

We often walked by the Eiffel Tower and Kate and Kelly had fun climbing the 284 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Kelly and Kate

Paris Sunset

Kate and Kelly at the Arc de Triomphe

Kate and I walked from the Arc de Triomphe to the Printemps department store. We walked past the Jacquemart-André Museum, one of my favorites. When I realized Kate had somehow never been, we had to stop and see it. She loved it of course.

Kate at Jacquemart-André

We got to the top of Printemps just before sunset and were able to take some of beautiful pictures before we were chased away.

We were so sad to see Kate go but it was time for her to get back to NYC to Carter and get ready for her next semester to start. We said goodbye to la Tour Eiffel and took Kate to the airport. Kelly tried his best to keep a brave face. It was a magical time in Paris with Kate and we are looking forward to her return with Carter in April.

Our Sad Goodbye

Hurry back Kate and Carter!