Sleepless in Paris: In the Neighbourhood

This has been a quiet week - Rich has been working ( nothing new there) - He is excited about his work again - so the sabbatic is working! Joan has been doing lots of professional reading - and exploring the neighbourhood. We are very fortunate to live close to the historic part of Paris...ok...basically in it, while at the same time being far enough away ( ten minutes?) from the major tourist site. There are some incredible pieces of architecture surrounding us. Most buildings were constructed between the 1870's and 1920's. The iron work is incredible, as is the detail around cornices etc.

This isn't our home - our apartment is in one of the few very simple 'in-fills' , but we are still very happy with it. It has ten foot ceilings, fancy coffering, and beautiful chandeliers.
The picture on the right is taken just outside our apartment door. Apparently there are 19,000 people per square kilometre.....just a bit more dense than we have at home! This is particularly interesting when you consider the huge amount of area given to park ( see later in blog) which is averaged in. Saskatoon has about 1,500 per square km. Most buildings are 6-7 stories high. There are no real 'highrises' in the area, but no single family dwellings either.

Much of the architecture is similar....Guess that happens when built in the same general time period, however there are always lots of little details to look at that add a unique character.

Aside from being near the Tour Eiffel, we are also a short 20 minute walk to the Etiole Charles de Gaulle - known to many as the Arc de Triomphe. It is amazing to watch the traffic maneuver....with no painted lines. We managed to snap a picture when there was little traffic. It is fantastic to watch in the early evening when the sun has gone down....(five o'clock now)...with lots of traffic and lights. We have yet to see a minor accident, so drivers seem to know what they are doing.

We have several parks close by. Paris has done a great job of leaving green space for people to use and explore. Parks tend to have play areas for children, walking paths for the adults, and, wild and strange statues....some classical, some honouring French heroes, and some....just fun....

We have two parks within 10-12 minutes from us. One is several hectares and includes several small lakes. The colours have been amazing this lately. November in Paris is quite beautiful. We did notice, however, that canoes have not yet been 'discovered' here. Somehow, a rowboat just doesn't seem right - but it is the Parisien way....