Cheap (Delicious) Eats in France

One of the strategies that keeps travel costs low for the Tightwad Traveler is relying on grocery stores and markets for food shopping.  Gourmets can still enjoy the finest treats a region has to offer, but they will find them in carry-out shops, delis, specialty stores, and even the supermarket.

Being waited on while sitting at a table enjoying the passing scene does have merit, and David and I do indulge in that occasionally, but, for the most part, we enjoy exploring markets and discovering food on our own.  We'd rather try four new deli dinner entrees for the same price as one restaurant meal.

Come on in to our Colmar Apartment!

Just a block from the quaint shopping/restaurant area is our apartment.  Open the door to the entry and climb one flight of stairs to our flat.

 The living/dining room and kitchen are one space with three high casement double windows flooding the room with light and fresh air.  (You can see in the mirror that  I'm busy taking photos while David is still exploring.)

STRIKE! the conclusion

Because of the train strike, a lot of unhappy people were stranded at the station staring up at the departure/arrival screens that never changed.

 Every seat in the lounge was taken and most of the floor space occupied.  David and I finally crowded on to a wooden seat that encircled one of the structural poles, but we were jostled by someone trying to squeeze in every few seconds.  We propped our feet against our suitcases to keep our balance on the wooden circle and discussed our options.

STRIKE!

A rare sight -- an empty train platform in Paris.

Philippe came to collect the apartment keys, to say goodbye, and to hail us a taxi, but, instead of the smile we expected, he looked unhappy.   There is a greve, a train strike, he said, and we may not be going anywhere today.  His son had made it from Marseille, but the news reporter said no trains would be heading east toward Colmar today.  If he hadn't had another reservation for the apartment, he would insist we stay another night.

Musee du Louvre Musings

Pyramids and triangles are a repeated theme in every substance imaginable.  Not only does the pyramid throw golden replicas of itself on other buildings in the museum, but water features, green swaths, and even the tourists seem to align themselves in this geometric forms.

Depending on which source you consult,  it can take weeks, months or years to see everything in the Louvre, so why not concentrate on just a few areas?  Of course you'll want to see the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, but you may enjoy other works that don't require fighting crowds for a view.  You'll see what I mean in the next photo. 

Easy Tickets for the Musee du Louvre

The inverted pyramid below the Louvre splashes rainbows all over the floor!

The best way to get your ticket to this world-famous museum is to buy the Paris Museum Pass which entitles you to entry at more than sixty-some places.  But that costs €42 for a two-day pass, and, if you're planning to see only one museum as David and I were, then that is not financially advantageous.

Sainte Chapelle and the Batobus

The lower chapel of Sainte Chapelle is lovely and old, having been built in 1248, but David and I couldn't help but wonder why we'd waited twenty minutes in line to see this place that didn't seem particularly special.  Why was it ranked almost as high on tourist lists as Notre Dame?

Then we climbed the spiral staircase.  When we got to the top, we understood.

Guess Who's French

                                                             Is this woman French? 

                                                        Or how about these two?

Best Bargain in Paris

I bought this hot-from-the-oven baguette for  €.79 or about $1.07.  There cannot be a more delicious bargain in the world!

Meandering in Paris

The last time we were in Paris a few years ago, David and I jammed our days with museums, seeing all the famous ones and many no one has ever heard of, and, while we enjoyed our ten days, we needed a week of bed rest afterward.  So this time we decided to take Paris a little more slowly, savoring a bit each day instead of gulping huge chunks all at once. Not quite as relaxed as this man who set up his bed on the sidewalk, but almost.