Monday 16th September 2024

Despite extreme fatigue, I had a somewhat fitful night’s sleep. Got up around 0900. Went out for breakfast at a nearby brasserie for the obligatory cafe au lait, and croissant. Wandered the back streets, ending up in a fromagerie, where we bought a couple of cheeses...one soft, one hard, but no record of the names on the packaging. Walked back to the hotel to check out and deposit our baggage. 

Caught a No.74 bus down to the Bourse de Commerce, and walked to Le Fumier, a restaurant where we had arranged to meet Aki's former Takenaka work colleague, Naomi, who had married a Frenchman and has been bringing up their two kids in south-western Paris. We had a great catch up. The food was very good...especially my seared tuna salad. We parted company with Naomi outside the old Samaritaine department store, which she recommended we go inside to inspect. It's a glorious 1920s edifice, with art noveau detailing. Walked back to the hotel via the Rue Fauborg. Picked up our baggage and caught a Ligne 7 tube train to Gare de L'est where we found another Guardian recommended eatery, La Ville de Provins. Indulged in some French onion soup, and a plate of mixed charcuterie and fromages until it was time to head for the Gard de Nord. 

Got in the queue for our 1911 Eurostar train back to Blighty, rolling in to Kings Cross St Pancras at 2030 BST. Walked across to York Way to catch the No.91 bus home. Unpacked before running an early bath and bed...