One of our next adventures led us to Parc de Vincennes on the east side of the city. This park is actually bigger than the Bois de Bologne and there's a lot to explore.
Miles and I walked around the pretty lake with a small monument. There were lots of swans, ducks, strolling paths and boaters.
Tower at the Chateau
An immense moat
Adam arrived for a visit on the 13th. (We were so sorry Dana could not join us due to her mother's serious health condition.)
We returned to Vincennes and this time, we visited the Parc Floral, a large public park and botanical garden. It was already off season so many of the pavilions were closed, but there was a lot to see outside on a sunny day.
You can't say you've been to Paris if you don't go to the Eiffel Tower, so off we went.
The next day it was off to the Musee Arts et Metiers (Industrial Design). Even the metro station there is interesting: it was re-designed about 10 years ago to look like a Jules Verne submarine.
What a collection! The extensive museum (from 1794) presents seven different collections : Scientific Instruments, Materials, Energy, Mechanics, Construction, Communication and Transportation.
And this is so typical: as we were leaving our Indian lunch around Blvd. St. Denis, we spotted this beautiful arch. I had to consult with Google to find out it was one of two arches built before the grand Arc de Triomphe, symbolically marking the entrances into 17th-century Paris at the sites of the old toll-gates.
Miles and I walked around the pretty lake with a small monument. There were lots of swans, ducks, strolling paths and boaters.
Bois de Vincennes lake
Pretty trees
Boaters
We liked the way this swan was looking for food
After wandering around for a few hours, we left the park and on the way to the metro, passed the immense 14th century Chateau de Vincennes.
It was closed, but we enjoyed walking around the perimeter.
Cathedral
Evidence of 14th and 17th century construction
We returned to Vincennes and this time, we visited the Parc Floral, a large public park and botanical garden. It was already off season so many of the pavilions were closed, but there was a lot to see outside on a sunny day.
Adam and us in the Parc Floral
One of the many walking paths in the park
A stone fountain
View of the lily pond
Bonsai exhibit
Bonsai Japanese maple
Dahlia in a huge dahlia grove
Typical tourists! Miles and Adam standing
at the Place du Trocadero
at the Place du Trocadero
Arts et Metiers metro station
What a collection! The extensive museum (from 1794) presents seven different collections : Scientific Instruments, Materials, Energy, Mechanics, Construction, Communication and Transportation.
Me and the model of Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty
Scientific measuring device--18th century
Steam-powered bat plane built around 1895
between 1892 and 1897. And while it looks more like something out of a
steampunk dream than a real working airplane, Avion III is no
sculpture; this steam-powered aircraft really flew - See more at:
http://www.coolstuffinparis.com/avion_iii_musee_des_arts_et_metiers.php#sthash.POegYPoI.dpuf
On our last day with Adam, we went on a guided walking tour of Montmartre. The focus was on lesser-known areas rather than the really touristy places.
Windmill above a popular restaurant
View of Sacre Coeur from a side street
Behind the Sacre Coeur from a quiet park
Arch de St. Denis
So, "Au revoir" to Adam and an early "Bonjour" to Daniel and Sefi who arrive on the 20th!
Fascinating! Better than any travel book. What a gem of a park! Glad you could share with Adam.
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