Day 13 - Bike around Bois de Boulon

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This morning, Nigel and I left the kids and took off on our bikes to Clamart to sit at a Brasserie and people watch (like the French spend so much time doing). It was the hottest day we have had so far (28 degrees but no humidity) and so it was quite nice sitting out in the sun relaxing. We were astonished that the boulangerie next door had a lineup out the door and down the street! We were also amused when the brasserie staff dashed next door into the boulangerie and came out with 6 baguettes simply calling out "six" letting them know he was taking six baguettes! So, after we sat for a while, we decided that we had better see what the fuss was about so we got in line and got some baguettes. They were slightly better than our regular baguette source. Then we rode home and got the kids moving. After lunch, we all headed out on bikes to Bois de Boulon which is an urban forest in Paris (sort of like Central Park). We saw a cool waterfall, and some nice man-made ponds. We came across a roller-blading 24-hour marathon race taking place in the park around the many trails. There were trails all through the park and I think we managed to use them all. Luckily we had brought water as we got really hot even though there was quite a lot of shade. We also came across a monument honouring 35 young men who had hidden in this very forest during WWII in 1944 from the Gestapo who then tracked them down and rounded them up. The young men were then executed against a tree which still stands today and bullet holes can be seen in its bark.

After seeing all of the park, we headed home taking yet another scenic route. This time it paid off as we happened upon the Parc des Princes (the stadium where PSG plays in League 1). We had tried to inquire earlier this trip about a tour but it was closed after the Euro for a bit. Anyways, it was cool to ride all the way around the stadium. So, biked the rest of the way home and then had a quiet evening. More soccer of course for Russell. He is loving having this sports complex right across the road as we can see the turf from the top floor of the house and can see if other kids are out playing and there almost always are! So, he grabs his ball and walks over and joins in (he has made a few friends but his french is so bad that they mostly gesture to each other which is hilarious!)

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Photos

Down the road
Looking down our road

Monument
This was the monument to honour the 35 young men killed here.

Roller-blading marathon
We just happened upon this one!

Seine River
This part of the Seine looks nice

Comments

[Richard]

Awesome
Guys - Thanks for the updates. I have been enjoying your travels and will be stealing these ideas for when the kids are older.