Day 2
Jill’s getting ready and I am about to… then it’s off to see the city, starting with Notre Dame!
Had our breakfast of croissant, petit pain, beurre, confiture and Jus D’Orange at the hotel. Walked down to the Seine, and over the Pont Neuf to Ile de la Cite.
Took the Michelin tour of Ile de la Cite and Ile St. Louis – 2 islands in the Seine. The highlight, of course, was Notre Dame. We went in during a Sunday Mass, which was a plus and a minus – a plus because we got to get a feel for the place with a choir, organ and priests all in full swing. A minus because we could only stand in the back and couldn’t walk around. I’m surprised they let tourists in during the service at all.
Walked down to the end of Isle St. Louis. Checked out the exterior of many 16th – 17th c. houses. You’re never more than 2 blocks from the river. Saw the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette and 1200 other nobles were held prior to being guillotined in the Revolution.
When we heard bells in the distance an hour later, we figured Mass was out at Notre Dame – went inside a few minutes later, but lo and behold they were still at it. Walked around outside for another 15 minutes – they were still at it. We gave up. The rest of the interior will be something to look forward to next time.
Back again for a walk along the Seine on the Rive Gauche – lunch of Croque Monsieur (Dave) and salad (Jill) in a brasserie. Was the waiter trying to rip us off for 100F when he gave us our change, or was it an honest mistake? Only he knows for sure… (Ed note: he was trying to rip us off.)
Now over to the Rive Droite, and a stroll past the Louvre (weather too nice to go in), and through the Tuileries Gardens. Interesting statues, and kids sailing toy boats in the fountains.
Had our breakfast of croissant, petit pain, beurre, confiture and Jus D’Orange at the hotel. Walked down to the Seine, and over the Pont Neuf to Ile de la Cite.
Took the Michelin tour of Ile de la Cite and Ile St. Louis – 2 islands in the Seine. The highlight, of course, was Notre Dame. We went in during a Sunday Mass, which was a plus and a minus – a plus because we got to get a feel for the place with a choir, organ and priests all in full swing. A minus because we could only stand in the back and couldn’t walk around. I’m surprised they let tourists in during the service at all.
Walked down to the end of Isle St. Louis. Checked out the exterior of many 16th – 17th c. houses. You’re never more than 2 blocks from the river. Saw the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette and 1200 other nobles were held prior to being guillotined in the Revolution.
When we heard bells in the distance an hour later, we figured Mass was out at Notre Dame – went inside a few minutes later, but lo and behold they were still at it. Walked around outside for another 15 minutes – they were still at it. We gave up. The rest of the interior will be something to look forward to next time.
Back again for a walk along the Seine on the Rive Gauche – lunch of Croque Monsieur (Dave) and salad (Jill) in a brasserie. Was the waiter trying to rip us off for 100F when he gave us our change, or was it an honest mistake? Only he knows for sure… (Ed note: he was trying to rip us off.)
Now over to the Rive Droite, and a stroll past the Louvre (weather too nice to go in), and through the Tuileries Gardens. Interesting statues, and kids sailing toy boats in the fountains.
Walked past the Place de la Concorde, where over 1300 heads rolled during the Revolution. Then up the Champs Elysees.
Tout Paris was out because the weather was so fine. The first half of the Champs Elysées is in a park-like setting, then it quickly makes a transition to a Fifth Avenue-type atmosphere, except with wider sidewalks. We walked the entire length of the boulevard, until we reached the Arc de Triomphe.
Walked around, under and through the Arc, and spent quite a while recuperating from our walk.
Then it was down under for our first trip on the Metro. The Metro has a lot in common with the London Tube – easy to understand, safe, and quiet due to rubber wheels. People also break rules with impunity – we saw smoking, radio playing, and dogs – just like New York!
Exited the Metro at St. Germain de Pres and decided to check out the St. Germain church which is next to the Metro exit.
It is the oldest in Paris, dating to the 1100’s.
Came back to the hotel, took a nap. Strolled around, looking for a place for dinner. Some places around here are a little too touristy, but we found one – the receipt says “La Belle Epoque” (but the name began with a “V”) that wasn’t too touristy. I had rack of lamb (very good), Jill had veal Cordon Bleu (good). Jill had crème brulée, and I had ice cream with Armagnac-soaked prunes for dessert. That, plus salads and a good bottle of Bordeaux, made for a good meal.
Came home and saw soft core porno on the public TV station!
Day 3 >>>
Tout Paris was out because the weather was so fine. The first half of the Champs Elysées is in a park-like setting, then it quickly makes a transition to a Fifth Avenue-type atmosphere, except with wider sidewalks. We walked the entire length of the boulevard, until we reached the Arc de Triomphe.
Walked around, under and through the Arc, and spent quite a while recuperating from our walk.
Then it was down under for our first trip on the Metro. The Metro has a lot in common with the London Tube – easy to understand, safe, and quiet due to rubber wheels. People also break rules with impunity – we saw smoking, radio playing, and dogs – just like New York!
Exited the Metro at St. Germain de Pres and decided to check out the St. Germain church which is next to the Metro exit.
It is the oldest in Paris, dating to the 1100’s.
Came back to the hotel, took a nap. Strolled around, looking for a place for dinner. Some places around here are a little too touristy, but we found one – the receipt says “La Belle Epoque” (but the name began with a “V”) that wasn’t too touristy. I had rack of lamb (very good), Jill had veal Cordon Bleu (good). Jill had crème brulée, and I had ice cream with Armagnac-soaked prunes for dessert. That, plus salads and a good bottle of Bordeaux, made for a good meal.
Came home and saw soft core porno on the public TV station!
Day 3 >>>
