We had a great time in Paris, walking the neighborhoods, riding the Metro and of course eating. Each morning a fresh baguette and croissants from the bakery a block away from our apartment, out for dinner each evening about 7:30. In the French style we had a slow and late dinner where we were able to unwind from our busy day. Eating in the neighborhood around our apartment proved to be the most economical choice as near the tourist sights food got really expensive. Take $8 for a cup of coffee with no refills near Notre Dame. I got to eat some of the things you just can get in the US, like fore gras, Confit de Canard, and warm goat cheese salad. I have said before that we walked a lot so I'm hoping the calorie output equaled the calorie intake.
WARM GOAT CHEESE SALAD
Getting around Paris was a breeze once you figured out the Metro. It is fast and efficient, sometimes crowded, not always clean, but it goes just about everywhere. Our Paris Pass included 7 days on the Metro. So with the Metro and our feet Paris was easy to navigate.
We did other stuff not previously mentioned here. We didn't see Madame Tussauds wax museum in London, so we went to Musee Grevin as it was on our Paris Pass. Some of the figures we really good, but one of the most interesting things was a video on how they made the figures.
We took a one hour tour on the Batobus on the River Seine. If you go I suggest taking the night tour as you really don't see too much at river level. Also it was more crowded during the day and our boat was filled with school children who were very noisy.
We took in a wine tasting which advertised that you would be taught all about French wine and the way to savor it. It was in English, but the French accent of the young man who did the presentation was so thick, that we understood only about half of what he said. Still we got to drink wine for free as the cost was covered by our Paris Pass.
We walked some of the Passages and Galeries which are old historic covered arcades that today are filled with shops and cafes. The grand-daddy of them all is the Galerie Lafayette, which is actually a huge high end department store, but the glass roof inside is a must see.
Under the Ach de Triomphe, lies the tomb of the French Unknown Soldier from WW I. Each evening the French light the flame in a ceremony which includes members of the military and veterans. On the night we were there, school children also participated and one child was chosen to light the flame. The police close down the traffic circle, at rush hour mind you, and the procession marches to the arch. Quite something to see, although our vantage point was not the best.
At not too good video I made from the top of the Arc de Triomphe
I really enjoyed walking around our neighborhood. Below are some random photos taking on my/our walks.
DOOR TO OUR COURT YARD
OUR STREET WITH PARK ON THE RIGHT
A FEW STEPS AWAY
BIKE RENTAL ALL OVER THE CITY
ROLLS ROYCE WITH CALIFORNIA PLATES
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