Left Bank

Today we ventured over to the left bank for the first time this trip. As we walked around some of the streets, we noted that items we had seen elsewhere were considerably more expensive here. There are some interesting shops so window shopping is worthwhile.
When we first crossed the river we encountered a large building called the National Language Institute. It is the Académie Française where it is decided which words may be admitted to the French language. If this body doesn't allow it, then it is not a French word! It is a suitably imposing building across the river from the Louvre.
We passed the statue of Voltaire and continued until we sat down at a restaurant that has been continuously functioning for 110 years and looks the same as it did then. Unfortunately, we were ignored so we didn't hang around for coffee but eventually found ourselves at a restaurant with a singing waiter - much more satisfactory!
The main aim of our walk today was to go to the Luxemberg Gardens. The palace attached (now the Senate) and the gardens were built by Marie de Medici to remind her of Italy. The gardens, now public, are full of beautiful garden beds, tree lined avenues and a very Italianate pool. Apart from wandering around there are many other activities catered for. There are chess sets, tennis courts, children's activities and many seats simply for enjoying the view.
We came back via a restaurant called Nanashi which is just around the corner from our apartment and had a very late lunch there. We both agreed, that in terms of vegetable content and production it was much better than the vaunted place we went last night. Our Fooding 2013 App says "what a health food heaven! Amongst crates of organic vegetables, rice sacks, soy source and natural cereals, Kaori Endo prepares a daily fish, meat, or vegie bento."