The Peripherique

There is a circular boulevard surrounding Paris called the Boulevard Peripherique.  It is actually a freeway, but they call it a "Boulevard".  This is the road we have taken each time we drive into Paris.  On the Peripherique, we feel confident and secure, but once we need to exit, we don't feel as confident.

Today, we drove into Paris for the 4th time.  This was our final trip into the city and we wanted to go back to the Ile St. Louis which was our favorite area of the city.  We promised the kids ice cream and a park and they seemed ready to go.  We found great parking in Montparnasse near the Pantheon and walked through the Latin quarter to get to the Ile.  As we walked down, we ran into a sweet little street fair with great vendors.  It was quiet....not a lot of tourists.  I have been hoping for a street fair like this since we got to Paris---the vendors were kind, prices were good, yummy food to eat. Wow....after feeling like I was running out of steam, I got a second wind.

We then walked across the bridge where everyone hangs their locks and tried to get a family picture.

Unfortunately, Bobby leaned in front of Maddie and Brooke was looking down, but it still may be the Christmas card pic if we are desperate (that is Notre Dame in the background)! We made it for ice cream and went into a few shops and then headed back to the car.  We also visited the Luxemborg gardens, but the kids were exhausted so we headed home.

One of the luxuries of staying in France for a month is the fact that we can go into Paris and stay on the Peripherique....no pressure to visit a museum, or Notre Dame, or Sacre Couer, or the Louvre.  When you stay on the Peripherique, you run into a perfect little street fair....it lives out on the fringe/the periphery.  What an amazing gift to live in this place for a month.  Truly, truly blessed!