On to Paris

Aug 26 on to Paris! Caught the 10:00 train at Quimper, changed trains at Rennes, had 15 minutes for the dash but when the whistle blew and the doors were closing, we jumped on, knowing we could walk through the train to our car. WRONG , we soon found out after following lots of folks and luggage through the aisles , that two trains had been joined, the dead end on that train had oodles of people in the same situation so we stood between the cars, sharing our fun experience. At the next stop 20 minutes later, this whole gang jumped onto the platform and made the dash to their car. We were at car 16 and our car was 2 with a 5 min window. I was willing to get on number 12 and make our way through the cars but Dave sprinted ahead so I followed and when those doors closed, I think I knew how a cardiac arrest may feel! The comfort of first class compared to the sardine situation for the first 30 minutes was worth the dash! Arrived at Paris Gare Montparnesse at 3:05, took metro line 4 to Reaumur Sebastopol, walk to the building Ecole des Arts et Metiers. Rue du Vertbois is parallel to rue Reaumur and at other side of the school between rue St Marten andRue Vaucanson. Studio 60 rue du Vertbois in Paris 3rd Our apartment owned by Claude Tixier. Another bonus accom, full apartment with washing machine, all appliances, TV, wifi and a phone with free calls all over the world! A grocery store 25 meters away, a big Carrefour and Picard very close as well as a boulangerie and an organic produce market. The famous traditional french market, Marche des Enfants Rouges only five minutes . away. I have counted six quality restaurants in the block leading to the apartment The five main metro lines are within a 2 minute walk so we will have no problem getting to the sites we have chosen for this trip. Aug 27 to be a very hot day .but Versailles is closed on Monday, so very busy Sun and Tues so off we went... Metro 4 to St Michels for the R and R to Versailles to learn that line was closed for the summer, so walked to Metro 10, off at Javel to catch the R and R there. Missed the train by three minutes,probably because we stopped to take a photo of Eiffel Tower! 25 minute wait. 14.70 Euros return after a purchase of a book of Metro tickets, 10 for 15.50 Euros, already used 6 of them. So our trip to Versailles is 13.50 Euros each. Good to know for our return visit on Monday for dinner with Marieyvonne and Laurent. WOWZERS for Versailles! Expected big line ups for a weekend day which offers the fountain shows but we walked right in, bought our tickets and boarded le petit tran with stops at Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Grand Canal, love this hop on, hop off system. We know folks who walked the whole area but 36 degree temps and a talking foot made our decision very easy. That way, opportunity to explore the gardens of the Grand Trianon, the Swiss Guard House Marie- Antoinette's Estate and the Queen's Hamlet. Back to the main gardens for Apollo's Fountain, Chestnut Grove, Grove of the Domes in addition to 11 other groves and 10 sections of fountains. At Latona Basin we were told that violators would be toad!! Latona is Apollo's mom , an unwed mother who was insulted by local peasants so Zeus swooped down and turned them into toads and newts. All 300 fountains here are gravity fed And then at 3:30, the fountain shows began, all fountains spouting to music with the grand finale at the Neptune Fountain two hours later. How impressive Montmatre Walking Tour for the 28th