Tour de France with the Zs…First Stop Paris

The Timeless Travelers are on the road again, quite literally, this time with our dear friends Darlene and Michael Ziegenhagen. We met up in Paris, where Darlene and Michael had been visiting longtime friends from their years of living abroad.

The very charming Left Bank Hotel gave us a warm welcome for our 24 hour stay in Paris. With a quick stop to drop our bags (and Doug who needed a nap after an overnight flight in front of a screaming infant), we were faced with an overwhelming array of options for spending our limited time.

With just a brief stay in Paris, we decided to visit the Picasso Museum. It did not disappoint.

The next stop was for a brief respite to enjoy the stunning gardens of the Place des Vosges.

Strolling around Le Marais District, we enjoyed incredible falafel from a street vendor and reveled in the lively atmosphere with quaint shops, cafes, and beautiful buildings.

We returned to our hotel and re-joined Doug for a delicious dinner at Le Procope, the oldest cafe in Paris. Seated in our own tiny dining room, we enjoyed three courses of delightful food and gracious, relaxed service.

Our after-dinner walk took us across the Seine to the incredibly upscale  Samaritaine. With five floors of carefully-curated designer goods, this landmark store offers a truly unique opportunity for “window-shopping.”

As the setting sun reflected on the Seine, we reflected on our good fortune of safe travel with wonderful friends. We’re truly blessed.

The next morning we were up early for the next leg of our journey, the TGV from Paris to Avignon and points south where more adventures await.