We spent a relaxing morning just hanging around and reading. At mid-day we took the #6 metro over to the 13e - Place d'Italie, then down the #7 to Les Gobelins. First order was to try lunch at a small bistro Le Petit Pascal (recommendation from Chotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris). It was a nice neighborhood joint, off the big streets. In fact, you must take stairs down from Blvd de Port Royal to get to rue Pascal. We enjoyed some salads (Debbie's with chicken, mine with duck) and wine before heading back to Gallery Gobelins. The Gobelins Factory has been making tapestries, high and low relief, since the 18th century. The gallery had a number of impressive tapestries, along with some sketches and paintings (some done before tapestry, some afterwards). It was nice, quiet. 
After the gallery, we walked back to Place d'Italie and headed east towards the 12e. We wanted to see the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, opened in 1998 and attributed to French President Fransois Mitterand. It is an impressive sight - four tall buildings at each corner, with a forested courtyard. Mature pines were brought from the countryside to fill the courtyard - it looks a bit like a jungle. The lower levels of the building are all connected, and used for presentations, research and meetings. The books are stored in the upper floors. Like La Defense, lots of the stuff is below the surface of the walking areas. Debbie and I went inside, found some chairs to relax and read in for a while.After the library, we continued east across the river to the 12e and the area of Bercy. There's a nice park right across the river. We wandered around for about an hour and then over to Bercy Village, an area adjacent to the park and full of shops and cafes. We bought a proper 4th of July dinner of hot dogs and soda to take away eat back at the park. After dinner, we made our way to Palais Omnisports for the grand finale - Bruce Springsteen concert. It was excellent.
But first, I should provide some insight. I don't want to stereotype, but it was pretty French. There was a long line of people waiting to enter the arena when we first crossed to the park earlier. We didn't really understand why as it is reserved seating. So we got something to eat, walked around and returned later - the line was much shorter when we joined it. We got to the front of the line and were told we needed to go to another line at the end of the arena. So we went there (and more people joined us afterwards). We noticed that our line wasn't moving. It appeared that anyone that was coming from a different direction was not joining our line, but just creating a mass of people at the end of the stadium (no line). No one was moving - then all of a sudden we were moving. Then we weren't again. This went on for about half an hour. Finally, we got to one of about 2 gates that all of us were entering through - maybe about 6 people scanning tickets for the whole crowd. Once past there, we jammed again while another 6 people checked everyone's bags. Interesting technique! None of the other gates were open to enter around the entire perimeter of the place!
I chalk it up to experiences in France. When we finally got in it was around 8:20 (concert to start at 8:00pm, but each Springsteen concert I've attended, he always starts promptly one hour AFTER it's supposed to start). No worries. We found our seats, which were excellent! They were discounted because they were behind the stage. In reality, they were to the side and a bit behind. But, best of all, they were in the first row of an upper deck - so no one directly in front of us. We could sit, stand, put our legs up, whatever. And Springsteen moves all over, so we saw him better than the people at the far end of the stadium. 
Another interesting thing - it was ROASTING inside! Outside, it was a very comfortable day in the 70's. In the arena, it felt like NYC in July. We completely pitted out our clothes. There seemed to be not only no AC, but no ventilation at all. I don't care - it was a great concert, and a great crowd - I've never hear so much singing along in any of the previous concerts. After playing the E-Street Shuffle, the crowd continued to sing and finally the band resumed the song! 
Very cool. At one point, he went out into the crowd and up onto a platform - looked like he was standing on people's shoulders. It was the usual 3hour-plus Springsteen concert, and we heard some old songs I hadn't heard before at his concerts as well as all the most popular favorites. He managed to work the holiday into his selection for the night - Independence Day, 4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy), Darlington County, This American Land , and Born in the USA (of course). Great time! Happy 4th of July!
Posts
