This weekend Debbie and I took the short train ride to Chantilly to see the chateau and sample the local whipped cream. It was an easy and comfortable trip. I especially loved arriving 4 minutes before the train left Gare d Nord, although that was cutting it close. There was only one stop along the way, so we were there less than half an hour later. We stopped at the Tourism office and got a map, then walked through the town center about a mile or so to the Grand Stables. The chateau and stables originally supported hunting in the surrounding forests. The stable housed 250 horses and 400 dogs! I wouldn't want to be mucking those stalls! Today, the stables is a museum with about 30 horses (maybe a bit like Lipizzaner stallions in Austria). The town also boasts a large hippodrome (horse racing track) - interesting contrast between the old and new...
We skipped the stables and went directly to the Chateau, which also houses the Conte Museum. We haven't seen any chateaus this trip, so this was a pleasant change from cathedrals. The original chateau was destroyed during the French Revolution. It was rebuilt and refurnished during the third empire by the Duke of Aumale. He donated the chateau to the French government providing it was maintained in the existing condition and made open to the public. It is no Versailles, but it was OK. There are many paintings, and a couple of Raphael's that are nice. I would say the main attraction is the building itself, and the surrounding gardens and forests. The grounds and landscaping are simple and filled with canals, ponds, and big chestnut trees. It was nice to walk around and very peaceful.
Sunday, we decided to take care of one of the most important items on our to-do list - we went over to rue de Rosiers after church for falafel sandwich and Maccabee beer at L'As du Fallafel. Best falafel I've ever had (I try them wherever I find them). It's the spicy hot sauce that makes the difference. We arrived to a JAMMED street. I've never seen so many people on it. We got a slip of paper return for a table in half an hour, which we did. Their system worked pretty well, but we did wait about 10 more minutes inside for a table. It was just as good as I remember - yea!
Perhaps we learned why it was so crowded afterwards when we headed towards Place de Bastille. We started up rue de Rivoli, but met impossible crowds of dancing kids and buses with bands playing music. The bus and kids were slowly moving down the street towards Hotel de Ville. We thought we would wait for the bus and kids to pass, then continue on. But then, here comes another bus. This is when we decide to get to the St Paul metro and head home! Only problem was the throng of humanity between us and the metro entrance. We pushed through finally. It was a bit fun (at least I thought so!). I must say that our new neighborhood lacks the color and excitement of the old!
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