Day 2: Musee D’Orsay, Latin Quarter, and the Jewish Quarter

Our second day in Paris started out as every morning in Paris should: with a trip to the patisserie/boulangerie. Today’s selection? Brioche. But it was unlike any brioche I’ve ever had because this one was perfect. Not too sweet, lightly glazed on the outside – it’s almost what the American doughnut has been striving to be. Brioche in hand, we headed to the Musee D’Orsay. What was once a train station on the verge of demolition, has now become one of the world’s most impressive collections of art. And the building itself? Stunning. After two hours, I was saturated and tired. Break time at the Café Soferino while we planned our next move. Since we both had an interest in seeing the Latin Quarter (the Sorbonne, particularly), we made our way to south of the Seine. 

The Sorbonne

And what an odd mix. Part university town, part tourist ghetto – it made my head spin. Starbucks, Mac, Clair's, and then the final nail in the coffin – the Gap. The wide road reminded me too much of Market Street in SF and since I am nowhere near homesick, it was the last place I wanted to be reminded of. We made our way through the throngs to see the Pantheon, but it was too hot and overrun with tourists. So we settled for the serene church next door. Wise choice. It was empty, cool, and I didn’t burst into flames. That’s a plus. 

Exhausted now, we had to abandon our plans of seeing the mosque and the Museum of Arab History.  It was time to head home. We decided to take the route through the Jewish Quarter to pick up some famed falafels for lunch. Falafels endorsed by Lenny Kravitz and Rick Steves. With a spectrum of supporters such as these, we had to partake. Heather had the falafel I had the lamb schawerma. I know. Lamb. And it was seriously one of the best shawerma’s I’ve ever had if not the best lamb I’ve ever had. And I don’t know where to begin with the falafel. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it…

After a little bit of rest, we ventured out for a late, but light dinner in Ile Saint Louis. Still a balmy 75 degrees out, it was a glorious walk across the Seine. 

Time to hit the hay for an early start to Versailles tomorrow!