While Paris looks the same as we left it !!!

We arrived in Paris on the 14th January and today the 17th is the first day that we have seen the sun. Our apartment is on Boulevard du Temple which runs into Boulevard Beaumarchais. We are a few blocks down from the Republic and about a ten minute walk to the Bastille at the other end. While Paris looks the same as we left it, some of our favorite places are gone. Our Bagel Store next to Place des Vosges is now a dress shop, our Restaurant Vert, a little Vietnams place, is now Japanese and our Restaurant Coconnas at number 2 Place des Vosges is now La Place Royale.

The Restaurant La Place Royale kept the same phone number from the Restaurant Coconnas, so when my friend from Brussels, Rolf, made reservations for us we were unaware that the place had changed owners. Remembering that there was a bar inside, we decided to have an aperitif there. Arriving in the rain, we quickly went inside and let them know we were having an aperitif before dinner. I noticed the decor had change and had second thoughts they we may be in the wrong place. We asked if it was the Restaurant Coconnas and with a no answer we were just about to leave when I notice the address was the same. Yes they did have a reservations, so after 4 ½ hours of drinking and eating we were satisfied with the place. My duck was a little tough and a very big portion, so un-French.