Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Our adventures with visitors continued the next day with the arrival of Liz and Tom. Since this was Karen and Scott's first time in Paris, they decided to spend the day on the tourist trail, visiting the Champs-Elysees, and the Louvre. Liz and Tom, veteran visitors to this city, were ready to see something new, so we all went to the beautiful Parc des Buttes Chaumont in the northeastern part of Paris. We visited this park with our friend Mark in February, and we wanted to see it in all of its green, springtime glory.

Liz and Tom in the park

The view of Sacre Coeur from the top of the hill in the park.

Walking up and down the hills of the park really works up your appetite. Luckily, this little luncheonette sits at the edge of the park. Rosa Bonheur is like a gourmet cafeteria, surrounded by outdoor picnic tables. Choose your wine, (ours a chilled Provence rose), and your snacks (octopus salad, thinly sliced Serrano ham, olive and fig tapenade, goat cheese drizzled with olive oil, duck rillets and a bag of sliced baguette).

After lunch we strolled through the vibrant Belleville area, stopping for Chinese bubble tea. We made our way down to the Canal St. Martin to watch the tour boats go up and down through the locks.

A little ways up the canal, we were of course ready for a rest, and stopped at a waterside cafe for a cold Grimbergen Blanche.