It was a warm winter afternoon in Paris with the Sun high up on the sky. The weather was pleasant and way less cold (thankfully) than I had anticipated. By the time we completed the Walking Tour till Louvre, I was already quite tired but my enthusiasm was high. Probably as there was no sweat it was making me less lethargic.
Roadsign in front of Louvre
We crossed the road in front of Louvre and went down the slope and started walking on the banks of River Sienne. Autumn leaves were scattered everywhere and it was a childish fun feeling to kick them while walking.
The Sienne river was full of small Batobuses that takes the tourist to various tourist destination using the water route. We had also thought of taking it but lack of time made it difficult. There are various cruises available on the Seine. They take the tourists from one end to the other while the tourists can enjoy food and drinks.
Batobus and the Eiffel Tower
Pont Neuf at a Distance
Our next destination was Pont De Artes, the famous ‘Bridge of LoveLocks‘. These days the locks have been removed due to the heavyweights yet some people still secretly put them on the bridge. This was considered as one the most romantic bridges in the world but after the locks were removed it has lost its glory.
Love Lock Bridge
Love Locks secretly put on the Bridge
The next destination was Pont Neuf. The Pont de Arts and Pont Neuf are parallel to each other. Pont de arts is more romantic while Pont Neuf is grander in terms of architecture and built. There is a huge statue equestrian bronze statue of Henry IV.
Bronze Statue of Henry IV
Pont Neuf
After crossing the Pont Neuf we walked for about 500 meters and reached the Cathedral de Notre Dame. This is undoubtedly one of the iconic structures of Paris. I was told that the aerial view of Notre Dame shows it in the shape of a cross. The place was extremely crowded when we reached yet we managed to enter inside.
Cathedral De Notre Dame
By the time we completed our tour of Notre Dame, Paris was covered in a thick black cloud. I am sure you can figure out from the above images. It was afternoon but looked like evening. Our last destination was Shakespeare and Company.
Shakespeare and Company is an institution in itself. This place is a Mecca for any book lover. This is the place where writers like Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, F.Scott. Fitzgerald and James Joyce used to hang around. The book is mentioned in Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast. This store was the focal point of literary culture in bohemian Paris. Even in many movies, this store was shown like Julia and Julia, Before Sunset and Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. If I start writing the history of this bookstore it will never end. Therefore let me just describe my feelings. This is a quaint little shop with an adjoining cafeteria. The store sells both new and old used books. Outside the store, I could find some rare old used books. The store has retained its old world charm till date. Even today numerous aspiring writers take refuge in this store. An afternoon is not enough to explore this shop. A book lover can keep exploring this place through an entire lifetime. Every nook and corner has a story to tell. The store is not huge but the collection is undoubtedly the best in the world.
The entry and exit gate can be seen along with the desk of old books
We had our lunch at Shakespeare and Company. With this, we came to an end to our walking tour of Paris. Thanks to Google Maps and Wikitravel for helping me plan this walking tour itinerary.
Trina Looks Back 
Wow! It seemed like I went on a trip, as I read your lovely post, enjoying the sights and sounds of the streets of Paris, a city that I’ve only dreamed of travelling to, someday! So many places to see in this lifetime—so many that my bucket list is now growing way too long! Armchair travelling might be the best bet for me, now! 😀
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Keep your dreams alive and surely you would be able to tick them on your bucket list. Tumi to anek ghurecho aro ghurbe😊
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I’m sure walking beside the Seine river must have been a great experience. Love locks definitely are interesting and so is reading the messages written for the lovers. I have never been to Paris but I have seen them in other places.
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Seine was good..but too many homeless people live under those bridges..some of them are also under the influence of substances, so I was not feeling safe and confident. The view was good but the other side was ugly in a way. I guess story of all big cities these days..where there is beauty on one side and reality on the other.
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true.
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I just now told husband not to disturb me in the middle of my Paris tour. His perplexion knew no bounds with this. Being a movie buff, he was after me to watch the trailer of The Accidental Prime Minister and I had no interest in it. I told him about your solo trip to France and Italy giving him food for thought for his patriarchal, conservative and crime patrol driven mindset.
I would have said I love walking next to the river and the photos of the walking path were inviting. Then I read about the homeless people under the influence of substances. It is scary.
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The walk was undoubtedly beautiful if you could ignore the left side.. it was scary but still when I think of it now I feel maybe they wouldn’t have done anything to me in broad daylight.
And now go and watch the trailer.
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I loved this visual trip and your pictures were amazing. I was stuck at the trees and those leaves. I am sure I would have kept clicking. What a beautiful place and Paris is a dream destination. So glad you are having a beautiful time.
Enjoy and have a great start to 2019.
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Thanks a lot Parul. Whenever I was clicking those trees I was thinking about you and TreeLoveThursday😁 I am happy that you loved this post.
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So I did travel to Paris! Yay!
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Felt like I was roaming the streets of Paris. I had a very quick trip last year but plan to do another with my daughter at a relaxed pace. I would love to explore the city in summers. Winter was just too cold. Lovely pics of your trip.
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Thanks Aks..Paris was wet and cold. I just got lucky to get half day of Sun. It is an amazing city. Even I wish to visit again.. inshallah
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This was a beautiful post, Balaka. I felt as if I was walking on the streets of Paris with you. The pictures were so lovely. You’ve captured the beautiful Paris perfectly. Thank you for sharing this. One day I would like to visit Paris. 🙂
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