Last Days in Paris

As it had been 46 years since my friend had last been in Paris, it was almost a given that we would go and see some of the iconic sights that Paris is so famous for.  For her first day here, we took the Bateaux Mouches cruise along the Seine.  It is only 14 Euros and a lasts about 1 1/2 hours.  The wonderful thing about Paris is that most of the famous buildings lie along this river.  So, with the exception of the Champs Elysees, the Opera, the Madeleine, Sacre Coeur, Luxembourg Gardens, and Place Vendome, you can see a lot of Paris from the boat trip.  Okay, now that I think about it, I admit there is a lot you can't see from it!!  However, it is a lovely way to orient yourself to this city.

The Hotel de Ville (on our walk to the boat)

Notre Dame 

The Conciergerie

Notre Dame from the boat

And, the Eiffel Tower - the most photographed tourist site in the world

Following the boat ride and our visit to the Taste of Paris exhibition, we walked from the Grand Palais back to our apartment.  It was a route that took us through Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries Gardens, by the Louvre, and along the Seine back into the Marais where our apartment is.

The following day, after our visit to the Ateliers-Lumieres, we took the Metro to the Champs Elysees.  We walked up that wide avenue, now filled with stores such as The Gap, Levis, Zara, Zara Home, for example, plus restaurants/cafes such as Starbucks, McDonalds, etc.  It is certainly not the Champs Elysees of old!  Of course, at the end of it, you get the jewel, L'Arc de Triomphe.  It has been quite a long time since I last saw it and it never fails to make you feel some level of awe. 

 After that, we walking along Avenue Georges V where we got to see some Ferraris and Lamborghinis.  I can't imagine what those would be worth.  Then, we stopped for a crepe at a cafe near Pont Alma from which we could see the rather tacky memorial to Diana (at least in my opinion).  Then we walked to the Trocadero for that photo everyone has to take. 

The Memorial to Diana

Delcie at Le Trocadero

Next we crossed the Seine and I have to say this was probably the most disappointing part of my visit to Paris.  All the area under the Eiffel Tower is dug up and surrounded with fencing.  No longer can you casually stroll under that wonderful structure.  Everywhere we looked there were blockages and high fences.  Not sure what the plan is for this space but suffice it to say it is ruined for me.  I vowed to never return!  I couldn't bring myself to take photos of the mess!  I somehow managed to take a photo that makes it look normal.  It doesn't!

By the time we had done all that, we were both tired so we took the Metro (Ecole Militaire) back to close to our apartment.  We were done for the day,

On our last day in Paris, we started off by going to Les Jardins de Luxembourg before heading to Saint Germain des Pres for lunch (another creperie) and return to the little Provencal store where I had found so many treasures on my Flavors of Paris tour.  Of course, we both bought more stuff!

Then, we went for a drink at the top of the Centre Georges Pompidou.  The bar is called, appropriately, Georges, where you really do pay for the location.  An Aperol Spritz was 15 Euros but it was one of those once in a lifetime experiences.  The views across Paris were fabulous.

For dinner we went back to the restaurant where we'd eaten the previous evening.  It is called Le Gai Moulin (and it lives up to its name - gay, gay, gay).  However, we enjoyed our dinner and Christophe's antics until he told us we had to leave because there were a lot of people waiting for a table.  I don't think I have ever been kicked out of a restaurant before - and we were only sitting there finishing our wine and chatting.  So much for classy French behaviour!

Well, at least we are now moving on from Paris and will catch a midday train to Tours where we will pick up a car and start the French countryside part of our vacation.  First up:  the Loire Valley.  I am ready for a change!