Our first stop, Rue Mouffetard, a pedestrianised street in the 5th arrondisement, which Parisians call ‘la mouffe’, is one of the oldest and picturesque streets of Paris. There has been a road here since the Romans were in town, 2000 years ago and it is home to a beautiful street market and entertainment on a Sunday – buskers, locals and visitors dancing to old French tunes…and singing to song sheets handed out by the partner of the accordion player. The market is vibrant and the street buzzing, the pastries, the cheeses, the lovely smell from restaurants…it was easy to spend a few hours there.

Next to the Church of Saint-Medard which dates back to the 9thC, and over the years has had various styles of architecture from classical Renaissance, even Gothic added to it. There are contemporary stained glass windows, a grand organ, unusual Doric columns and a painting by Italian painter Franciso Zurbaran.

The Musee Marmottan Monet was the last stop for the day. Claude’s youngest son, Michael, was the sole heir to the Monet house in Giverny and all its works when his father died in 1926. He bequeathed his collection to the Musee Marmottan. We are so glad he did, such a great exhibition. Other floors in the mansion had interesting paintings, porcelain, medieval statues and work from another Impressionist artist, Berthe Morisot (young girls in rural scenes, pastel tones) – latter not really my interest.