This is why I pinch myself every day . . .

Raring to go on my trusty steed

One of the posts that I have wanted to write since I started my course here in Paris was to document my regular cycle route to school.  I feel like I am cycling through history as I ride past some of the most iconic buildings in the world, please indulge me as I would love to share it with you.

I have to say that I have been very lucky with the weather since I’ve been here (although sometimes a bit too lucky with the heat).  I’ve taken the Métro home just once and only because I’d had 9 hours of classes, it was raining and I was carrying a cake box (complete with cake).  I’m proud to say that on all other occasions, I have ridden which I think has helped keep my weight stable as it is, of course, obligatory to taste everything we make!

The first area of beauty that I pass is the Canal St Martin.  I am embarrassed to say that I only discovered that Paris had a canal just a couple of years ago.  In the summer, this place is buzzing with people who just bring along a bottle of wine, some snacks and come and hang out on the bank.  Hubby is here this weekend, so I think that we might save our legs and do the boat tour you can see pictured.

Canal St Martin

From here, the next stop is République.  I’m supposed to take a route around the square but quite frankly, no one bothers with that and as I am almost French, I just ride straight across with all the other cyclists which saves me a few minutes.  The statue that you see is Marianne, the national symbol of the French Republic (hence République), you may also recognise her from the French Euro coins and postage stamps.

Statue of Marianne in Place de la République

Now it’s past Temple Métro station and a sharp left onto rue Beaubourg where you can see the Pompidou Centre on the right and Notre Dame in the far distance.  You can see why I love cycling around Paris, the cars are stuck in traffic on the left and cycles can use the bus lane (along with my favourite people, Parisian taxi drivers) on the right.

Rue Beaubourg

A little close up of the back of the Pompidou Centre.  When I arrived in Paris over 20 years’ ago, this was the first place I visited as it was on the cover of my French text book “Tricolore”.  I always remember it as the ‘inside out’ building and never believed that something like this really existed and had to see it for myself.

Pompidou Centre

Those of you who remember those Athena posters of the 1980’s may recognise this building from the famous Robert Doisneau print “Le Baiser de l’Hotel de Ville”.  I was once  waiting at the traffic lights when I heard an American teenager ask her friend if “it was a real hotel?”.  No darling, it means Town Hall.

L’hôtel de Ville

You may or may not know that there are two islands in the middle of the River Seine, île St Louis and île de la Cité; I now cross over the river and head for the latter.  Since Monday and until August 16th, Paris Plages have been opened; this is where the city close some of the roads next to the River Seine and turns them into a beach for all those Parisians who will be staying in the city during the summer months.

Paris Plages at Quai de Gesvres

Just as I am leaving the île de la Cité, I turn left and I am greeted by Notre Dame.  I particularly love riding past here when I have a class at 8:30am as there is absolutely no one there – not quite the case when I took this picture, even the bateau mouche is full of tourists.

Cathédrale Nôtre-Dame de Paris

Back on dry land now and I ride along the river, heading West.  The green boxes that you see are the stalls of the “Bouquinistes” who traditionally sell second-hand books, journals and stamps . . .

A slow start for the Bouquinistes

. . . they do now stock some trinkets for the tourist trade.  This guy was hoping to be the proverbial early bird who catches the worm.

Bouquiniste setting up for the day’s trading

Onto the Pont des Arts, more commonly known as the Love-Locks Bridge.  Just before I came to Paris, I read that the city was removing the panels of padlocks as the bridge is now subject to structural weakening.  The sign below does not seem to have persuaded any of the tourists from desisting from this activity.  Walking around the town, this activity seems to have been taken to the extreme and there are padlocks left everywhere.

Polite notice from the Parisian authorities

Onwards and Westwards, just before I leave the river and head South, this is the view that I am left with.  Yes, that entire building is the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum that houses over 35,000 pieces of art – just how long would it take you to look at every single piece, I wonder?

More love locks with the Louvre in the background

Not too much of interest here, I just cross over the Boulevard St Germain.

Boulevard St Germain

Cycle past Le Bon Marché which, ironically, is not very “Bon Marché” (or “good deal’ to you and me) but is a much quieter department store experience than the tourist hotspots of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.  Also, they have just opened a store next door that is a foodie’s paradise “La Grande Epicerie de Paris” – do pay it a visit.

Le Bon Marché

Finally, the most iconic of all Parisian monuments  – I sneak a peak at along each road on my right as I cycle the length of rue Lecourbe.

La Tour Eiffel

Do you now see why I pinch myself every day?