Today started off with no snow - we looked out our window & it was clear sky, so with blithe hearts we set off, however one step out the door and we were in for a rude shock. Temperature was -4 deg. and absolutely freezing - even the stalwart Steve was shocked into complaining of the cold. The footpaths were slippery death-traps - full of ice. We hot-tailed it down to the comparative warmth of the Metro in our devious plan to hit the Eiffel Tower early & beat the crowds. Our plan was extremely successful - we reached the Eiffel Tower - which was surrounded by white snow to find minimal crowds. We soon discerned that the lack of crowds was more to do with the amount of ice on the platforms and that the Tower was indefinitely closed as a safety issue......oh well, our second attempt & once again no further to the top.
Not to be deterred, we braved the cold & snow and walked through the gardens to Les Invalides. It was SOOOO cold. Ground was icy, feet, legs and faces were either numb, or once passed that point, then just throbbing with the cold. We stopped for a warming coffee to partially thaw out, before heading back into the freezer and icy ground to Les Invalides. First stop was Napoleon's tomb - a huge monument for a physically little man. The building was massive, the tomb in the crypt visible from the ground floor, surrounded by 12 large statues keeping eternal vigil on the massive sarcophagus - more fascinating than anyone had anticipated. Next visit was the exhibition of ancient armour - sounds dull, but was surprisingly interesting (keep in mind it was warm & indoors!).
Once again we ventured out. The day was still clear, but bitterly, bitterly cold. We headed to the nearby Rodin Museum, a gorgeous repository of Rodin's massive sculptural output, all housed in his original Paris abode. Some gorgeous examples of Rodin's work - pieces we hadn't known about as well as those pieces that have encapsulated Rodin's eternal fame.
From Rodin it was a quick Metro ride back to our warm haven. Rose & Steve took the opportunity to rug up and head out to our nearby outdoor skate rink while it wasn't busy (most normal people were warm and indoors). While they were skating, the sun came out and while still bitterly cold (temperature had risen to nearly 0 deg) it was a gorgeous afternoon. We then took the clear afternoon opportunity to visit St Chapelle (the one place in Paris that Bron REALLY wanted to see) - alas, St Chappelle was closed for the 2nd day in a row for "security reasons" - tomorrow is our last chance! Thwarted by St Chapelle's security (we figured that they were just too cold to man the doors), we headed back to Simon's favourite spot in the world - Shakespeare's Book Shop - to smother ourselves in it's warmth & drown in it's literary ambience.
Simon acquired another book. Back to the apartment for some down time, then dinner in a nearby bistro. Tomorrow is our last day.......
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