After the amazing weekend with Thomas in the Southwest of France, I arrive back in Paris Monday afternoon, and kicked around with Mario through Wednesday morning.
I took so many photos over the weekend, I had to leave the battery to charge Monday, so I only have photos from Tuesday.
We both had museum passes, so we ran in and out of a few.
Monday afternoon we visited the home of Gustav Moreau, the Louvre and Musee du Moyen Age (middle ages).

Tuesday we visited the D'Orsay first. The line must have been 2 hours, but we walked right in thanks to the museum passes.

Lunch near the D'Orsay

After lunch we visited a museum in Les Invalides--a series of scale models of fortified cities. The models had all been made around 1700. Photos of the current state of each city was displayed next to photos of the model, as well as maps and aerial photos with outlines of the original main structures.









 We headed to the Marais for a sweet snack: Tiramisu for Mario and Tarte Tatin with creme fraiche for me.
























We had planned to also visit the Pantheon, but I talked Mario into visiting the Haute Couture exhibit at city hall. We had dinner in Montmartre again--this time a little further down the hill.

Shrimp cocktail for starters

Escalloped chicken for me

Mussels for Mario.

The bartender was standing right next to us in the doorway while she had her cigarette break. After watching Mario struggle to pull the mussels out with a fork she showed him how to use a shell like tongs.

A couple more days in Paris

I am back home now, but am trying to catch up on my posts.

Friday April 19th was my last day working in the Paris office. I felt that I really bonded with my Parisian co-workers and was sad to leave. I hope to see some of them soon in Austin, and some day back in Paris.

Paris Metro during rush hour

Carine

 

 

I had a nice lunch with 2 of the ladies from HR at a classic french restaurant right down the street from the office.

Gilda and Crystal

At the end of the day, I kissed everyone goodbye, then headed back to the apartment to meet Mario who flew in from Switzerland.

Emilie and Franc

Hussein

Me in the Paris office!

Thomas Jung

After Mario dropped off his suitcase and I gave him a tour of the apartment, we walked around Montmartre a bit (and saw HAIL!) before finding somewhere to have dinner. We settled on a place just a few doors down the street from the apartment.

Chez Marie

Mario!

Beautiful, tasty macarons

French Onion Soup

Faux Filet

Panna cotta and Chocolate Mousse for dessert