Notre Dame, Luxembourg Gardens, Saint-Sulpice, Tribeca

It is a national holiday (Friday) in France.  It is annunciation day, or something like that.  Chick says that it has something to do with Mary.  Since France is already on holiday for the month of August, it is unclear to me how a national holiday in the middle of holiday works.  Nevertheless, many/most shops are closed today.  Most attractions are open.

Bauer's and Lane's head out together on the Metro

for Notre Dame

where we find Catholic mass in process including full organ and vocalists.

After exiting Notre Dame, we discover rain falling.  With only a ten percent chance of rain forecast, we have left umbrellas and my rain coat back at the hotel.  We quickly duck into a Cafe right across the street and have kaffee and a croissant until we look out and can see more heads than umbrellas.

With sun intermixing with the clouds, we pass a Starbucks

  while walking to nearby Luxembourg Gardens to view the many formal flower gardens

and rest our legs

and watch the children race sailboats in the fountain.

The Church of Saint-Sulpice, only slightly smaller than Notre Dame, is also nearby.

Lunch at Hemingway's hang out, Les Deux Magots

After another short respite back at the hotel, we find ourselves in another sidewalk Cafe, the Tribeca, on Rue Cler near our hotel

 for kaffee, vin and dessert.

While Beverly rests back at the hotel, Bill goes out on an Eiffel Tower photographing journey.  More on that later after I have a chance to edit the pictures.

Dinner this evening is back at the Tribeca with the Lane's.  Apparently no pictures.

Tomorrow, our last full day in Paris, is slated to be Versailles.