There is a reasonably new Metro line in Paris; Number 14, which runs from San Lazare to Bibliotheque Francois Mitterrand. This is a high speed line with quite some distances between stops and it doesn't have a driver! Virginia sat at the very front of the train for all but one station of its length today which, she said, probably did nothing good for her blood pressure. Those who are brave enough can sit right up front and "be the driver" through all the bends and oncoming trains of the Metro world. Today that was Virginia.
She took the train going out to Bercy Village. The former wine storehouses of Paris have been transformed into a village square; the main pedestrian street is lined with botiques, gardening shops and cafes. The buildings are interesting, the shops are boring; all cafes have translations of menus into English with "enjoy your meals..." etc. Apparently Paris is beginning to expand into this eastern area.
Bruce, on the other hand, drove no trains but climbed a bit like the well-known Hunchback, to the top of Notre Dame. The view was sensational but the climb was pretty exhausting. It wouldn't have been so bad except the last part had people going up and down on one of those narrow medieval staircases. Ah well, at least one gets to be quite close to the people going in the opposite direction. Still, it was worth it. Not only the view, but all of the gargoyles are near at hand.
After the climb I went to a museum which had coins and medals from the earliest days of France. One that was particularly interesting was a commemorative medal honouring Benjamin Franklin which was minted in 1789.
Later in the afternoon the two of us went for a stroll near the Montmartre Cemetery, did some shopping and came home. Another interesting day.
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