Paris Canals

This morning after breakfast at our local cafe, we walked east along the Seine to the Port de l'Arsenal - built from the old moat of the Bastille and now the starting point for a network of canals - and joined about 60 other tourists on the Saint-Martin Canal cruise. 

The trip began under the Bastille through a 2km long narrow tunnel and proceeded up the canal (literally) through 8 double locks, each of which raised the level of the boat by 3 metres, finally ending at the Bassin de la Villette two and a half hours later. It was absolutely beautiful. 

Gorgeous Parisian scenery, lots of little bridges, historical buildings and parklands.  The systems of tunnels and locks are fascinating - all built as originally ordered by Napoleon 1st in 1802, to supply Paris with fresh water.

We then took the Metro from the station called Stalingrad to Opera and made our way to Boulevard de la Madeleine for Brian's most favourite wine shop in the whole world, and one of our favourite luncheon spots - Lavinia - 3 floors of wine plus a fabulous restaurant.  As usual, the food and service were sensational - as were the recommended wines by the glass, and Brian was like a kid in a toy shop!   


Then a quick trip back to our apartment, a very short afternoon nap, and a 10 minute walk to the Hotel de Ville (Paris City Council) to meet our gorgeous friend Shirley who has an apartment in the Marais.  The three of us then jumped on a bus and headed off to the fantastic Montmartre apartment of our mutual friends, Marg and Rob.  

The Ruinart NV champagne which Brian took, and the canapés prepared by Marg were wonderful, served in a beautiful sunlit living room.  




We all then walked to the Albion, a wine shop / restaurant owned by a delightful young man from New Zealand.  It was great fun to catch up with our Aussie mates and the restaurant was great.

Then finally back "home" on the Metro.  This business of being on holidays is completely exhausting!