The highspeed train from London to Paris is way too fast, and there's almost no sense of having gone into an amazing tunnel beneath the English Channel. You're ripping along and suddenly enter an inauspicious tunnel; then, bang, you pop out into the daylight on the other side about the time you realize that's what's happening. I guess I'd expected an announcement or something. Champagne would have been nice.
We'd found a hotel by referrals of friends—Hotel de l'Esperance in the Latin Quarter. Our friend Penny met us the next day and we explored our way down to the Seine by via the old Roman arena, Arenes de Lutece, coming out on the river near the cathedral and Shakespeare and Company. We explored those place and helped to keep the oldest tree in Paris from toppling over. Then we crossed the river and walked the highline park that transformed an old rail line. Naturally, we stopped for coffee and wine all along the way.
But what about that old tree? An excellent site is: https://thetreeographer.com/2018/04/06/oldest-tree-in-paris-robinia-of-square-rene-viviani/
Here's a snippet from the site's article on the famous tree:
"One of the places Robin chose to plant the first robinia trees on European soil was the crossroads in front of the 13th century Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre Church. Just across the river from Notre Dame, countless travelers passed the tree as they followed the road dating back to the Roman era. In fact, that road is part of the historical Via Turonensis of the Camino de Santiago, one of the most important Christian Pilgrimages from the Middle Ages, which today is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"Not even Jean Robin could have imagined how well the tree would thrive in its new home. Robinia trees turned out to be great city trees. They grow quickly and are resistant to pollution and other urban hazards. So resistant in fact, that they’re considered an invasive species in many parts of Europe."
College des Ecossais
Linny and Penny scope out a garden near the Arena de Letuce.
The garden of perfumes.
This was an olfactory surprise. Wonderful!
And beautiful.
The gardeners.
Cathedral time.
The oldest tree in Paris.
The famous bookstore.
More cathedral.
The Cathedral.
Not in Seine, but on a bridge.
Great river walks.
Bridge musician. Damned fine accordian player.
Walking along the garden built on an old railroad trestle.
Highline view.
Energy.
Yes, it is.
Living wall.
Penny and Dennis.
Linny at cafe.
