Cal and VA | Adventures

Thursday, 22 April 1999 - Arrived in Paris, and checked into Hotel De Bretagne then headed out to explore and find lunch. Virginia Ann ordered cheese and bread using her French skills, which became a staple for the trip. Walked around the old theater district with beautiful façades, then visited the Jardin du Luxembourg, and saw the Paris Observatory noted for its historical role in defining French time and latitude. Walked past the Catacombs and visited the tomb of Auguste Bartholdi in the Cimetiere de Montparnasse linking the city's history to the Statue of Liberty.

From the airport we went to the hotel. We were exhausted after the flight but excited to be in Paris. After checking in, we headed out seeking culinary experience for lunch. After wandering about we stopped at a sidewalk cafe and tried to order. Virginia Ann was able to order cheese and bread using her extensive French vocabulary. Both were excellent and became a staple for the rest of the trip.

France 1999 — In our hunt for a good lunch spot we stumbled onto the old theater district with beautiful old facade. After lunch, we walked around the area near the hotel. We walked to the Jardin du Luxembourg At the end of the Luxembourg Garden is the Paris Observatory built in 1667, its southern wall is the determining point for Paris's official latitude, 48 degrees 50' 11''. French time was based on this meridian until 1911 when the country adopted the international Greenwich Meridian. Then past the Paris Observatory to the Catacombs - Virginia Ann and I did not go into the boules of Paris - marking the point is a huge bronze Lion of Belfort by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. He was a link to the next sight. This is a picture of the tomb in the Cimetiere de Montparnasse. In this cemetery are some illustrious residents such as Auguste Bartholdi who designed the Statue or Liberty.

Journey Across France