May 15

This  morning took the Metro to the Arenes de Lutece, the ruins of a Roman amphitheater which was used for burials in the 4th century. It had a seating capacity of 15,000 and was used for theatrical productions and gladiator fights in the late 2nd century.  Then went to the church of Saint Etienne du Mont (the steps from the movie Midnight in Paris), the Pantheon, where many of France's heroes are buried; Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Rousseau and Emile Zola among others.  Then went to the church of Saint Nicholas du Chardonet, which has beautiful crystal chandeliers. We stopped for a croissant and cafe creme and then took the Metro to the Musee D'Orsay, a railroad station turned into a museum which holds lots of impressionists paintings.  We walked from there over to the right bank (had a delicious crepe from a cart on the bridge) to go to the Orangerie, which holds two rooms of Monets' water lilies.  Then we walked through the Tuileries, sat by the pond and watched the ducks and then continued to the Place du Parvis in front of Notre Dame, where the Fete du Pain was being held.  The festival of bread is  a week long celebration of bakers and bread which is held every year in all the cities and towns of France.  A huge tent was set up in front of Notre Dame and filled with ovens, bakers racks and everything else needed by bakers.  As soon as we entered the tent, we were offered a fresh baked croissant, still warm and delicious.  We wandered around watching all the activity and then bought a baguette fresh out of the oven and walked over to visit the Memorial of the Martyrs of the Deportation, which is in memory of the 200,000 who were sent to Nazi concentration camps in WWII.  We crossed over to Ile St Louis and stopped for a kir and then visited the church Saint Louis en I'lle, begun in 1664 and consecrated in 1726.  Finally headed back home to rest until about 8:30 when we went out to dinner at Gaspard de la Nuit.  I had mussels and leeks and lamb with vegetables and Leas had the pepper steak.  Really good bottle of wine.  Back home and to bed.  Today was cold and windy and the city is getting more crowded.