Marais

Our 3rd day in Paris was another beautiful day--freezing cold (temp read high 30s but it felt like high 20s) but sunny. We decided to tour the Marais.

We started at Place de la Bastille. This is where the Bastille prison stood until the "storming of the Bastille" in 1789. The bronze July Column (Colonne de Juillet) with Mercury atop the column stands in the center.

The Opera Bastille is a modern building near the square.

Typical gas station in Paris--one pump on the sidewalk. Pull up, pump and leave again. It's a good thing the Parisians drive small cars.

On our walk, we came across this charcuterie, Au Sanglier at 49 Rue Saint-Antoine in the 4th arrondissement. The writing on the window indicated that they had won the 2014 Gold Medal for their Fromage de Tete (head cheese).

Of course, we stopped. Who can resist? We got a slice of the head cheese (€4.51). They also had garlic saucisson (€2.38). Both were delicious!

Place des Vosges--oldest planned square in Paris. This was originally the Place Royale although no royals ever lived here. It's a wonderful green space with art galleries and restaurants today.

In one corner of the Place des Vosges is the Victor Hugo museum. It was in this apartment that he wrote "Les Miserables." The museum is free. 

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