Another Long Day in Paris

After our first long day, we woke early and had a leisurely breakfast at the Hotel before heading out to see the sights. This time, we walked five blocks to the Seine and spent 3 hours walking through the Musee d”Orsay. What a wonderful museum – built within the walls of the old Orsay train station. It has all the great impressionist paintings you never thought were in one place. There was Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gough, Pizarro and even Whistler. Who would have thought that a museum in Paris would have Whistler’s Mother? There was a spectacular exhibition of architectural models of the Paris Opera – down to working replica of the entire Opera – above and below ground. From the top of the d’Orsay we looked out over most of Paris – and to Sacre Cour – the highest point in the city.

After the d”Orsay, we walked a few blocks and crossed the Seine at Pont Solferino, which led us the Tuilleries Gardens – a beautiful garden area that stretches north from the Louvre and borders on rue Rivoli, one of the better shopping areas on the right bank. We were on a mission to visit the Ritz Hotel and the Diana door (which Jackie had to walk through!), the Hemmingway Bar, the Westin Paris, Le Meurice Hotel and Angelina’s Tea Room. The gardens were great: long walking avenues of people enjoying the afternoon sun, children riding ponies, and older people (older than us) just sitting reading and talking.

We found Angelina’s Tea Room and had a wonderful light lunch which left room for their world-renown “Le Chocolat L’Africain” (claimed by many as the “World’s Best hot Chocolat”) – a hot chocolate that was actually warmed, pure chocolate served in a large cup with whipped double cream. (Sandy and Pete, thanks for that wonderful suggestion – that was the BEST chocolate I have ever tasted and I have tasted a lot of chocolate!) We met a young Canadian couple who were there for the same famous hot chocolate. After that delightful boost, we had enough energy to walk quite a while. SO…. We walked north about 6 blocks to the Place de la Concorde – where Marie Antoinette was beheaded during the French Revolution and took the Metro to Norte Dame du Champs and the Luxembourg Gardens.

The Luxembourg Gardens are where Paris hangs out in the city. There are people of all ages – from toddlers to the very elderly. The men play checkers, chess and boulles; the women read and watch the children play.

After a leisurely walk through the Gardens, we found St Sulspice cathedral – an amazing 12th century cathedral that is undergoing the first renovation in 300 years. On our way back to the hotel, we stumbled across another beautiful Church where there just happened to be a wedding going on. Jackie had to stop and watch as the bride and groom came out of the Church being showered by hundreds of rose petals….Jackie’s highlight of the day (well, maybe a close second to the hot chocolate).

Our dinner, last night, was at Le Restaurant – a relatively new, but highly rated restaurant with 3 Michelin stars. The dinner was great, the chocolate desert was even better and we met a couple from North Carolina headed to the south of France as we are. We then walked to Pont Neuf for a one-hour boat excursion on the Seine under the stars. We traveled from the Pont Neuf along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower and then returned and traveled on the left side of the Seine past Il de la Cite and Il Saint Louis. It seemed like all of Paris was partying along the banks of the river. There were hundreds and hundreds of people of all ages singing, dancing and drinking their wine.

Jackie commented several times that “Peyton would LOVE Paris and, after a few college French classes, there just might have to be a college graduation celebration trip!!” Tomorrow we leave Paris and take a long, much needed sit-down TGV train ride to Nice. Au revoir till tomorrow!

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.