After a fairly intense day yesterday, we took today at a slower pace and ventured down to Île de la Cité to find the Sunday Flower & Bird Market.
We woke up a little late, found the perfect café, and then followed the sound of the Sunday cathedral bells towards the Islands again. Just down the street from Notre-Dame and beside the Palace of Justice, we found the Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market). This botanical oasis houses some of the most beautiful plants and flowers I've ever seen, including rare orchids, archaic-looking succulents, and my favourite: lavender.
On Sundays, the market expands to include the Marché aux Oiseaux (Bird Market), a Parisian petting zoo of-sorts, filled with exotic birds and small creatures (bunnies, chinchillas, mice) looking for a new home. This small exposition of flora and fauna – which felt as though it had been essentially unchanged for decades – was a very nice way to enjoy a Sunday morning.
Nothing says lazy Sunday like ice cream. After my first bowl of soupe aux oignons gratinée (French onion soup), we walked over to Île Saint-Louis to experience Berthillon, the home of Paris' finest ice cream. They have a selection of seasonal iced creams and sorbets made fresh every day, and the list of options is always subject to change - popular flavours sell out fast! Although their exotic flavours were pretty amazing (roasted pineapple and basil!), their classic chocolate was melt-in-your-mouth amazing.
The best way to cap off our day – and our first Sunday in Paris – was a picnic on the Canal. After getting a sense of the proper Canal etiquette on Friday, we grabbed our wine, baguette, cheeses, sausage and fruit, and found a shady spot near the water. It was the best.
I could get used to this.
