Long Day Around Paris

Well, this was a day to remember.... We started early, after a great breakfast in the room, walking to the Louvre. What an experience. Of course we got there before any crowds, so we walked straight to the Mona Lisa, and all the other di Vinci masterpieces.

But all the rest was overwhelming. The paintings, the sculptures, the antiquités. From Winged Victory to Venus di Milo, it was amazing - even the Hammurabi Code. Must have walked 5 miles over 3 hours.

Left the Louvre for the Metro and a trip across town to the Ecole Mititaire and a good walk to the Eiffel Tower. We had reservations for lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant for a wonderful lunch sitting at the window, overlooking all of Paris. Food was good, but we'd been walking so long that a couple glasses of wine made us ready to get going again. So after a short 5 course lunch meal, we headed back to the Metro.

Our last major stop of the day - along the Metro line - was Notre Dame and St. Chapelle. What a wonder. We wandered back to Ile De La Cite to walk around Notre Dame - an amazing place - but even more remarkable was the 11th century St. Chapelle with its 13 huge stained glass windows, each depicting a section of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.

Since we were DONE for the day, we walked another 4 miles back to L'Hotel along Blvd St. Germain and crashed in sleep. Dinner was close by and Jackie had a great Club Sandwich and I had Tuna Tartare. Now, finally to sleep.

Arrived at L'Hotel Pont Royal

Well the plane ride was uneventful. It left on time, we ate on time, we slept on time and the plane arrived on time. Although we had exit row seats, it was still ordinary coach and difficult to get any real rest. We went straight to the Hotel - but the room wasn't ready, at 11:00 in the morning.

SO, we did what any normal Parisien would do ---- we walked around and found a wonderful neighborhood sidewalk cafe and had soup, salade and WINE!

After an hour or so, we checked into the room and immediately took a looooong nap.
But we couldn't stay sleeping for too long - needed to check out our wonderful area: St. Germain des Pres - an older section of Paris on the left bank in the 7th arrondisement. The restaurant connected to the Hotel is the wonderful L'Atlier du Joel Rubichon.

We walked four blocks north to the Seine and then to the Musee du Louvre. We were only scouting the area and will show up tomorrow when it opens to do a 3 hour walk-though before heading to lunch at the Eiffel Tower.

Just before getting on Plane

Well we made the airport - but not without having to stop at the Admirals Club to check final messages and emails. With a glass of American wine, and the cell phone, we're both having the final communication with the wonderful world of business.

We checked the Paris weather, and the next five days are 71 and 55 - with clear, sunny skies. Got our restaurant reservations:

Tomorrow night at Alain Ducasse, Plaza Athenee

Friday night at Le Restaurant, in St. Germain Des Pres

Harry's Bar for long lunch & drinks

Friday afternoon for Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower.....



Got to walk a lot to work off the food!!!!

Getting Ready

It's Tuesday night and we're getting ready to depart, tomorrow. Last minute packing, last minute looking at the map, last minute checking tickets & reservations... all the things we need to check before getting on the big plane.
We're thinking about all the things we might miss, not packing, etc... even though we won't miss them, once we're in PARIS....
Got reservations at great Paris restaurants.... and we're going be strolling the streets looking for great sidewalk cafes. Already have Le Deux Maggots singled out for an afternoon in St Germain des Preys.
More tomorrow after we land in Paris.......

Getting Ready for France and Italy

It's Saturday night and we're reviewing the package of stuff we got from the travel agent. We now have tickets, schedules and hotel rooms throughout France and Italy. Jackie has already finished packing, and I still have to start.

We'll have more during the coming week, as we get closer to departure date.