Galeries Lafayette

This morning after breakfast, we went to Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussman.  It's an amazing store and the main hall has a stained glass dome with ornate galaries all the way round on four levels.  It's so spectacular, it's worth visiting even if you don't plan on doing any shopping.  We then went up to the terrace on the 7th floor where you get views across Paris.

This afternoon we've walked miles - down towards Le Louvre, then to the Hôtel de Ville and Le Marais.  We stopped for lunch at a little brasserie and then walked along Rue Francois Miron where there are some of the oldest houses in Paris dating back to the 14th Century (see my extras). We visited the Village of Saint Paul where there are lots of antique shops and then went to the Place des Vosges which is the oldest planned square in Paris. There are beautiful, symmetrical buildings all the way round the square with vaulted arcades where you can find little galleries and cafes.  Victor Hugo's house is also here, which you can visit free of charge.  Our next port of call was Place de la Bastille, before catching the metro back to our hotel.

We've really enjoyed our walking tour and seen parts of the city that we've never seen before.  We both really liked Le Marais and felt like we were in 'real' Paris and away from the main tourist area.

Tonight we've got a table booked at Le Brasserie du Louvre for dinner, so we're relaxing in the hotel and I'm going to go and run a nice hot bath - my feet are aching after all that walking!