Michael and Pam's Travels Our European Motorhome Adventures and other Travels

Paris, France. 2011 🇫🇷

Our cruise comes to an end in Barcelona and we Easyjet to Charles de Gaulle airport, then jump the Air France bus to Gare de Lyon.  We are staying in an apartment recommended by our friend Rita.  It’s a small studio on the first floor out the back, there’s no view but its quiet and has the bonus of a washing machine and dryer.  19 Boulevard Beaumarchais is only 100 meters from the Metro (Bastille), the bus stops out the front and a verb depot is 50 meters the other way.

The Bastille, Paris, France.  2011
The Bastille, Paris, France. 2011
Our Digs on the Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris.  2011
Our Digs on the Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris. 2011

Our first afternoon is spent exploring the neighbourhood, a little shopping and getting the feel of the place.

France

Our Neighbourhood supermarket, Paris. 2011
Our Neighbourhood supermarket, Paris. 2011

It’s Sunday morning and we head off towards the Seine, then follow the river to Ile de la Citie and mass at the Notre Dame.  There are fire trucks and firefighters (Sapeurs-Pompier) everywhere.  Apparently there is a special mass this morning for firefighters, coincidental that we should be here today.  The Cathedral of Our Lady is truly a iconic symbol of gothic architecture, with the garden of Saint Jean at its rear.  After mass we have a wander taking in its history and garden before heading of for a walk.  It’s not long before we find the Tower of Saint-Jacques which has just re-opened following renovations.  Walking over to the Seine we sit in a cafe and have some very expensive coffee, just a little shocked at how bad it was.

Morning on the Seine, Paris.  2011
Morning on the Seine, Paris. 2011

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The gardens of the Notre Dam de Paris Cathedral, Paris, France.  2011
The gardens of the Notre Dam de Paris Cathedral, Paris, France. 2011
Sunday Mass at the Notre Dam, Paris, France 2011
Sunday Mass at the Notre Dam, Paris, France 2011
Michael wearing big boy pants, Paris.  2011
Michael wearing big boy pants, Paris. 2011
Pam at Pont St.Louis, Paris.  2011
Pam at Pont St.Louis, Paris. 2011
Tower of Saint-Jacques, Paris, France.  2011
Tower of Saint-Jacques, Paris, France. 2011
Pam and Michael have some 14  coffees
Pam and Michael have some €14 coffees

In the afternoon we walk over to Pont de Arts, I have come prepared.  We spend some time finding our special spot and grab a couple of photos.

Pont de Arts, Paris, France.  2011
Pont de Arts, Paris, France. 2011
Just happened to have an engraved padlock with me when we discovered Pont de Arts, Paris.  2011
Just happened to have an engraved padlock with me when we discovered Pont de Arts, Paris. 2011

We eat out on our first night in a local restuarant, to be frank it was nothing special. The steak was actually ground beef. Don’t get me wrong we are spoilt in Australia our meats are both tasty and reasonably priced. In any case it was a great night out we walk the Marias district just taking it in.

Our next day is the long walk. We catch a bus up to the Louvre then walk through the Tuileries gardens, the Place de la Concorde and onto the Avenue de Champs Élysées. It’s ends up being a long walk when we finally make the Arc de Troimphe. The ticket booth is closed apparently it’s free today, bonus ! The view from the top is special and we take in the view for 20 minutes before catching the Metro back.

Walking the courtyard of the Louvre, Paris.  2011
Walking the courtyard of the Louvre, Paris. 2011
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Tuileries Gardens, Paris.  2011
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Tuileries Gardens, Paris. 2011
Jardin Des Tuileries Gardens, Paris.  2011
Jardin Des Tuileries Gardens, Paris. 2011
Pam at the Jardin Des Tuileries, Paris. 2011
Pam at the Jardin Des Tuileries, Paris. 2011
Avenue des Champs Elysees, Paris.  2011
Avenue des Champs Elysees, Paris. 2011
Arc de Triomphe Selfy, Paris. France.  2011
Arc de Triomphe Selfy, Paris. France. 2011
La Defence and the Grande Arche from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, Paris.  2011
La Defence and the Grande Arche from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, Paris. 2011
Another Selfy, Paris.  2011
Another Selfy, Paris. 2011

Our legs have decided on a night in.  We go for a walk along Rue Saint-Antoine and get some takeaway.  Again it’s a bit expensive but half the price of eating out.  We have a bottle of rose and a beer, so it’s a date night !

We have found the local patisserie (there are 3 on the block) so breakfast is croissants and jam.  Our apartment has a little coffee machine, which with my skill as a barista can produce a reasonable espresso.

We jump a bus from out the front and we’re on our way to the Eiffel Tower.  We pre-booked our tickets on line which saved us probable an hour.  Anyway the photos tell the story.  We were lucky it was clear day and the views memorable.

Pam discovers the Eiffel Tower, Paris.  2011
Pam discovers the Eiffel Tower, Paris. 2011
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This is the scone Merry-Go-Round we have seen in Paris, France.  2011
This is the second Merry-Go-Round we have seen in Paris, France. 2011
Pam enjoys the view from the top deck of the Eiffel Tower, Paris.  2011
Pam enjoys the view from the top deck of the Eiffel Tower, Paris. 2011
Champs de Mars and beyond from the Eiffel Tower, Paris.  2011
Champs de Mars and beyond from the Eiffel Tower, Paris. 2011
The Quai d'Orsay and the Seine River, Paris.  2011
The Quai d’Orsay and the Seine River, Paris. 2011

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