We were thankful that we had looked down a side street spotting this classical Citroën HY delivery van, we followed its "nose" to the square - Place du Ste. Catherine to find a cafe for our lunch.
Fuelled by a delicious lunch our "French Trotters" were ready to continue following in the steps of Victor Hugo and the first Duc of Sully "Maximilien de Bethune" in the heart of the Marais.
You never know what is around the next corner, behind the enormous doors, gates and archway lined entryways.
At 62 rue Saint Antoine we discovered a private mansion "Hotel de Sully" built in 1624 which became a historic monument in 1862.
The private mansion was built with a garden and orangery that opened onto Place Royale (now Place des Vosges.)
The buildings have a long history ...
Since 1967 it has been the Centre for National Monuments.
We even got a little silly at the "Sully" ...
Next a visit to the oldest planned square in Paris ... Originally the Place Royale now Place des Vosges.
In 1604 King Henry IV built a Royal pavilion of red bricks and blue tiled roofs.
His orders were that all 35 buildings bordering the square were to be the same.
Victor Hugo, French writer (Hunchback of Notre Dame / Les Miserables) lived on the 2nd floor of No.6
Place des Vosges ... now a Museum.
In the centre of the square of town homes is a peaceful green park with lots of park benches and water fountains ... a perfect place for the residents to have some outdoor space.
Place de Bastille ... Colonne de Juillet with the Opera House in the background.
A unique water fountain ...
Where will we venture tomorrow?
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