Day 7 (Sunday 11/3/13)

Today we venture to THE PUCE!  This is a massive flea/antique market in the poorest section of the 18th arr.  Its called The Marche aux Puce St-Ouen de Clingancourt.  We head over for our daily espresso and breakfast and hop on the metro -- took a few train changes to get there but the stations were so cool it was worth the stops. 

mosaic tiled ceilings inside the Cluny Sorbonne station

The COOLEST hanging lamps and chrome subway tile in the Franklin D Roosevelt station

Once we finally get to our stop we realize we haven't stopped to get cash before we got here.  And once we get upstairs we realize this might not be the best place to be wandering around.

We went into a pharmacy that told us there was one about 4 blocks in the opposite direction that we want to go but we have no choice so we venture out.  It's a really nice day -- very cold -- but still really nice so its not a bad thing to have to walk.  We get our cash and head back toward the Puce... on our way we encounter the seedier side of Paris.  Men standing in the middle of the side walk trying to shove a bottle of Prada perfume in your hand or sell you a Samsung Galaxy...  There was also a not so nice flea market just before the Puce that was full of junk an knock of EVERYTHING.  I felt like I was in a bad part of Manhattan for a minute.  But we pushed through and finally made it to the Puce! 

This was unlike anything we had ever seen.  I wish I had gotten more pictures but we were so captivated by all the little mini shops and booths that it just slipped our minds.  Ill be honest -- this place was not for anyone with a light pocketbook.  There were some vintage 8.5 x11" tin signs that were priced over 250 Euros -- I think NOT.  I was trying to find some funky jewelry for a friend and my sister and everything was 70+ Euros for things that I thought I could find in the states for much cheaper. So this trip turned into more window shopping than anything else but it was still fun!  We did end up stumbling into the music section of the Marche Dauphine - much to Jeremys delight - and we walked away with about 6 albums (3 of which were Led Zeppelin albums that I had not been able to find here!!! YAY FOR ME!)

Marche Dauphine

another view - Marche Dauphine

I WANT ONE SO BAD!!!

March Biron - a lot of older higher end antiques here

OMG!!!  Carousel animals!!!!  I need it!

After the Puce we decided to head to the Eiffel tower to recreate a photo my mother took when she was there on HER honeymoon!  I had been wanting to do this the entire trip and was so glad we got to do it!!

Its not exact but its pretty close!

Jeremy and I... we were so happy!

After wandering around for a bit we headed back to the apartment for some snacks, some wine and got ready for dinner.  This time we are off to the Marais for the best Falafel in town!

This is a part of the city I wish we had spent more time in -- it seemed just as quaint as St. Germaine but a little more modern.  Again - something we will have to d when we go back!  Anyway -- it was raining pretty hard but this did not deter us!  We window shopped and navigated the winding streets and then there is was -- with a line a half block long!  I decided it was the weather preventing it from being longer since I read that they can have a line over an hr long at lunch time!  We got in fast - we were seated fast - we ordered fast - I felt like I was back in an american restaurant!  All the waiters were men, all looked about the same (tall, dark black/brown hair, brown eyes, olive skin) and spoke or yelled at each other over walkie-talkies.  Efficient but noisy.  It was bigger than I thought but we still sat at a cramped 2 seater table against a wall with another couple next to us. 

Side Note:  Everyone we sit next to at a meal always starts a conversation - everyone here is so friendly.  Its been really amazing to talk to locals and not so locals and really feel like we are a part of the city somehow.

We got our food really quickly and let me tell you!  WOW!  Best hummus, the falafel was light on the inside and super crispy on the outside, the pitas were warm and chewy, the veggies were all fresh -- this was spectacular!

The bouncer was posing for us -- yes -- a bouncer

our app with the best hummus ever - and the red pepper something on the side was OUTRAGEOUS!

Jeremy's grilled chicken wrap

FALAFEL BABY!!!

This was a great ending to a relaxing day... well not so relaxing considering all the walking we did but at least we weren't in a rush to get anywhere. Have I mentioned yet that we dont want to leave!??