Paris, France - how does it get any better than this?

Today I walked the whole length of the Rue de la Tombe Issoire.  I did not find:

• Issoire – a giant, only slightly smaller than Hagrid’s half brother, who was killed a very long time ago;
• His head – apparently it’s very hard to move a dead giant, so they just took his head.  But no one seems to know where or why; or
• His tomb – which you would expect to find somewhere along the street bearing its name…

Instead I found:

A Resevoir.

 This reservoir looked like it would be a lovely place to walk.  But there was no access.  Maybe because it was Sunday, but perhaps not...

Close-up of Reservoir Building.

 

Street Signs that You Can Actually Read!

An Accordion Store - I'm sure you were looking to buy one...

A Church.

I went into the church.  Was not particularly pretty and not all windows were stained glass, but a Mass was in session, so could not take pictures.

Denfert-Rochereau Metro Station.

Love the detail on the Metro station.  Had forgotten that "metro" is short for Metropolitain.  At this "place" Rue de la Tombe Issoire turned into Rue Faubourgh St. Jacques.  I continued on anyway since there was a map that showed open green areas ahead.  To my surprise, I came upon the Paris Observatory!  Not surprised that it exists - I had spent about 4 weeks reading astronomy texts in French there every day before I started graduate school so that I could test out of the language requirement!  I mean, if you have to do it in French, why not in Paris?

The grounds were not open which is why there are pictures through the gate.

 

Description of the Observatory.

The observatory celebrated its 300th anniversary in 1967, so is coming up on 350 years!  If you get to Paris, a visit to the observatory is well worth it.  It is only open to the public one Saturday a month, although you can arrange private tours.  Some of the books in the library date from the founding - books by the likes of Kepler and Tycho Brahe!  The astronomers also had quarters in the observatory building.  There was one diary I was shown when I was there before, written by the woman living on the upper floor complaining about the woman living on the ground floor who dried her baby's diapers on the bushes in the grounds!

Placard Explaining Why the Grounds are Closed.

I read this placard - although I'm not sure I understand it all - and then walked on to sit on a bench along the street in the sun.  After a while, a family - mother, father, 2 children - walked by and were standing reading this notice.  I also walked down that way on my way back to Rue de la Tombe Issoire.  A man with a camera asked them to stand facing the sign, and when I moved away, he asked me to stay with them.  I am not sure of his job, but he was trying to show how closing this public space was affecting people.  So the view he photographed was of "our" group from behind.  I guess I was supposed to be the granny!

Weird Bugs on Leaves.

More Weird Bugs Below the Leaves.

Interesting Building - Function Unknown.

Sign in Little Park.

This is the first notice I saw about Issoire.  Below is the "Park" dedicated to Issoire's memory.  That's the whole park:  a table with a checker board, 2 chairs and benches, and a trash can.  Somehow, I don't think Issoire would fit in this space!

I also found this "fountain."  There was no water running, but there was a description of the mineral content of "Paris water."  Given that it also said the water was from the Seine and a tributary of the Seine, perhaps it's just as well that water was not flowing.

Mineral Content of Paris Water.

 Finally, I returned to my hotel.  This little play park is just across the street.  Kids sit on the spiral, hold onto the pole in the center, and slide down to the ground.  Looked like fun, but didn't think I would fit..

More adventures to come...