This might sound like a humble brag, but it is not intended that way; I have no idea how many times I have been to Paris nor how many total nights I have spent there, but it has been a lot. Depending how you count, the first has to be in the several dozen range and the second is likely pushing 200 or more at this point.

Why does it matter?

Well, I was there again this past week, ostensibly there to visit with some dear friends. At the last minute, however, they decided that they were going to leave town for the three days that I would be there (subtle hint?). It was entirely my fault as I did not shore up plans with them but I was then faced with three days alone in Paris.

As one might imagine, I have done just about all there is to do in the City of Light over the years, so there was no thought of going to a museum (I was too jet-lagged), strolling down the Champs-Elysées, or even climbing the Eiffel Tower. Yeah, I am well-over my “tourist phase”.

The vast majority of the time I have spent in Paris has been in the city’s 2nd Arrondissement where my aforementioned friends live and where the office for the bicycle touring company that I worked for all of those years was located.

So this time, I decided to branch out. I stayed in the 9th this go around (yes, I know it is adjacent to the 2nd, but baby steps) and on my walks I ventured to the Left Bank (I know, “Gasp” right?). I took a bunch of photos, some of which I offer here. Included are some shots of locales from a prominent Netflix show that my wife loves (OK, I love it, too), and for those of you that are fans, you will recognize the locales. For those who are not, well…

I got a good deal to fly business and the wine selections were pretty good. Which did I choose?

I really have no idea what this is, but I love the contrast and the lines.

I wonder what the builders of the city would say today….

This fountain, not far from Les Halles, is usually a gathering spot for younger folk (is it a coincidence that there is a McDonalds just a few meters away?).

You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a statue.

Needless to say, photo ops abound.

I walked by, but didn’t even think about going in. The lines are ridiculous.

I have at least 400 billion reasons to love this statue of Louis XIV.

The Pantheon in great light.

More Pantheon just after sunrise (could have done without the over flowing trash can, though).

Now for a few guilty pleasure photos. Can you name what these are, not in real life, but on, say, Netflix?

On my last night, I met up with Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros who happened to be in town. We are not smiling because the wine was good (it wasn’t).

I’ll be back soon with more pictures from my ride through south-central France!