June 22, 2026
I took the train to Paris to see some sights before returning home to Canada.
I chose to stay at hotel de la Bretonnerie… because it was in the heart of the Marais and it was affordable. I didn’t consider that there is a heat wave, and I didn’t know it doesn’t have air conditioning or a full shower. Now I know. I won’t stay here again.
The other interesting fact is that this is a VERY LGBTQ friendly area. It’s a remarkable shift in the makeup of the people walking the streets and enjoying the cafes.
I have done a lot of walking and visited the Rodin Museum, the Louvre and a couple of old churches (not Notre Dame although the exterior photos of the church above ARE Notre Dame) and went into some high end stores to see the latest fashions.
I finished my trip with a dinner cruise on the Seine. Very hokey and predictable but still it was better than sitting in a hotel room and baking or just watching from the banks of the seine. (The banks were packed with people, picnicking, etc. as this is a serious heat event and people are dying.)
Notably I departed on June 21, which is a national holiday in France. It’s Fete de la Musique or Music Day. It looks like that will be a party everywhere in France.
The heat is oppressive and there is little shelter in France.
I tried a fancy restaurant as well on Friday. Baffo provided excellent food and great service. The place was quite empty which is too bad.
The flight home was marked by lots of external events. The departing flight was delayed because the incoming flight was late due to weather.
Then in Montreal the plane was loaded, everyone aboard, and they stopped the flight due to lightning. An hour delay and they let everything proceed. Montreal was inundated and there was a lot of flooding according to the news.
Now I am back in Canada and taking care of life in Canada. More boat updates upon my return.