Paris was the first stop on our itinerary. It was my second time in this city. The first landing was 43 years prior, and under very different circumstances. Now, I was here to have fun, see the sights, and enjoy myself. And I did, with one bit of a restraint!

Only a week, or so, before we traveled, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Well, it didn’t seem quite fair, having to pass up French pastries in Paris! Compounding the matter, the next stop was Berlin, meaning, no yummy German baked goods there, or in Weimar, not to mention, I wouldn’t get to taste those delicate, delectable pastries—for which Hungary is noted—later, on our stop in Budapest! No Hungarian plum cake, strudels, apricot kolaches, or savory pastries like I used to buy at The Hungarian Pastry Shop, on Morningside Heights, near Columbia University—the little storefront shop I frequented when my Gitiim was a toddler!

Ironically, on our first venture out on the town, in route to the Louvre, walking along Rue de Rivoli, what did we happen upon? Well, ANGELINA, of course! Like the young boy in my photo below, peering inside through the big glass show window, that was about all I could do, as well—stand outside, gaze in at case after case of sumptuous, artfully crafted delights, and pine for what I was missing out on.

Looking out onto Place Vendome.

View from Hotel De Vendome restaurant.

Near Place Vendome.

Along Rue de Rivoli, we happened upon Angelina, during a photo shoot.

Angelina

Main courtyard (Cour Napoleon), the Louvre

Ceiling – Pyramid of glass and metal.

New Louvre Museum entrance, built in 1989.

An elevator hidden within the spiral staircase allows handicapped visitors access to galleries.

Map of Jardin des Tuileries.

Jardin des Tuileries – the formal garden features fountains, basins, sculptures and two museums.

Metro entrance across from Le Musée d’Orsay.

Museum was originally the Gare d’Orsay railway station, built between 1898 and 1900. Converted and opened as a museum in 1986.

The view diagonally across from D’Orsay public square.

View from a window inside Restaurant Eliance, connected to the D’Orsay.

Restaurant Eliance on first floor of Musee D’Orsay, opened in 1900, serves traditional French cuisine.

Restaurant Eliance – open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner on Thursday evenings.

The Eliance – former restaurant of the Hotel d’Orsay.

Detail – exterior of Legion of Honor Museum.

Legion D’Honneur Musee, within the Hotel de Salm, was created in 1925 , and houses France’s history of military orders of merit.

Below Le Musée D’Orsay square, entertainment by a classical clarinetist.

Façade of The Palais de la Legion d’Honneur.

Pont du Carrousel bridge, spanning the Seine, constructed 1831 to 1834, was designed by Antoine-Remy Polonceau

From Passerelle Leopold-Sedar-Senghor pedestrian bridge, we see Pont de la Concorde bridge, and beyond, the Le Grand Palais.

Tourist boat passing under Passerelle Leopold-Sedar-Senghor, heading in the direction of Pont Royal.