Goodbye to Paris

When you go up in the Eiffel Tower and look out over the city, most of it is built on flat lands but off in the distance is the hill of the suburb of Montmarte and at the top of the hill you can see the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur which was just a short distance from our apartment.

We walked by it a few times but did not go and look inside - for me the stairs were rather daunting and there were many more than this picture reveals - but it really did look like a rather grand building.

Our taxi experience improved and Ricky found out that he could book a cab for us on Sunday morning to take us direct to the railway station.

It arrived in good time to take us on our way and as the driver turned to take us down the hill he took us to the other side of the Basilica and there was another world that was so near but so far.

There was a fantastic lookout with amazing sites back over Paris as well as a market place and shops that had totally escaped us.

If we ever have the chance to return this would be a definite inclusion in our places to explore.

Getting around in Paris

 Ricky took care of booking our apartment in Paris and it was in the old part of town in the Montmarte District.

Lots of character and old world charm, even if it was removed from the main sightseeing areas of Paris.

After being able to leave our luggage in our apartment we decided to wander down the hill and take in the local area.

The 'hill' seemed to go on forever but we were happy enough to take in the surroundings and shops.

Ricky was very taken with the colour of the limestone in the buildings as well as the iron lace work on the apartment balconies.

We decided to walk as far as we could and then we would get a taxi home again.  Cafes along the way beckoned us and we stopped for refreshments as well as to escape the cold.

When we had done what we thought was enough walking for the day we decided to get a taxi back to the apartment but this was no easy task.  The taxi drivers obviously felt that a fare up into the streets of Montmarte was not worth their while and so we were not able to go home this way.

We had no choice but to walk.  It was a long slow walk and we did get lost along the way but eventually made it home after night fall.

It seemed we could be in a bit of a quandry if we could not hire a taxi for our needs the next day, but things greatly improved.

When we set out next morning we headed for a taxi stand that I had seen the night before and fortunately there was one there waiting for a fare and so we were able to get to the Eiffel Tower without any problems.

Getting from the Eiffel Tower to the Notre Dame Cathedral and in turn the Louvre by taxi was not a problem either.

However after the Louvre we faced another taxi dilemma.  Although there was many a taxi to be seen we were not able to find one willing to stop and take us home.  We were not quite sure how to resolve the situation when Ricky just happened to spot a bus stop promoting 2 bus routes only and one of them just happened to be Route 95 which just happened to go to Montmarte.

We walked to the bus shelter and within a minute a bus came and took us all the way back to Montmarte and we were able to alight not far from home.

Another last walk through the streets, taking in the various shops that seemed to be doing a good trade after 5pm.

Ricky and I popped into a local bakery and bought a baguette still warm from the oven and we wandered home breaking off pieces of baguette to eat as we went.  It seemed a happy way to end a fulfilling day in Paris.

The Cafes of Paris

After our visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, Ricky and I found a cafe opposite where we could be sheltered from the weather but observe the comings and goings around this historical site.

This was just one of many cafes which line the streets with large open windows so you can take in the view.  They also have many tables outside and in warmer weather the streets would be lined with extra patrons enjoying their time in the city.

If we had had more time in Paris we probably would have repeated these cafe retreats many times.  The wine never failed to please and you could partake of snacks or a full meal if preferred.

The passing parade of people was of great interest and this image does not take in the many, many people we observed in our time there.  It made me appreciate how much Paris is a visited city.  If they were here in their droves in the winter, how much more so in the summer.

The cafes were good, the food was great and our short time spent here was very precious and will always be a treasured memory for me.  Thank you, Ricky, for making it possible.

The Louvre

For our one full day to see the highlights of Paris we were not going to make it to them all so our last stop off for the day was The Louvre.

I did not feel I could go home from Paris and say that I had not at least seen the Mona Lisa.

My first impression was the size of The Louvre. The building is not only magnificent but huge.  From her wealth of information our tour guide at the Eiffel Tower had told us that you could visit The Louvre for a whole year 24/7 and never get to see all that is there. Her recommendation is that you study up and make a point of going to specific sections to make the most of what is available.

We came to see the Mona Lisa and that is what we focused on.  Again there were queues but they seemed to be moving quite well and so we made it inside.

When we went to pay for admission of E11.00 each Ricky indicated we wanted to see the Mona Lisa and the attendant pulled a face as if to say, well that is what everyone wants to see.

Although not well sign posted (in my opinion) we did eventually find the painting and crowds of people jostling for position to take a look and a photo.


We did it!  We got there.  It was nice to say we had been there and done that but I have to say I was probably more impressed with the many other paintings there in abundance.  Wonderful images from the 15th century onwards, I am not sure how all have survived these many years.  This area of the museum also had many statues from the Roman era and they were fascinating as well.

Notre Dame Cathedral

When Ricky and I came through to the other side of the tunnel, on our way to Paris, it became clear that it had been snowing in France.

The rolling countryside was covered with snow and for those of us not so accustomed to such sights it was very pretty.

My other observation was that throughout the countryside there were towns and villages and as a centrepiece of most of them were these grand churches with their spires rising high into the sky. It was almost as if the surrounding dwellings were  clustered there with the church as their centrality to life.

When we were at the Eiffel Tower the guide was talking to us about the Notre Dame Cathedral and telling us that the Cathedral was the located in the centre of Paris and it was from there all kilometres were measured.

Because of the size of the city it was hard to picture that the Cathedral was indeed the centrepiece but it did bring to mind my observations as we made our way into Paris.

Regardless of any religious persuasion this 850 year old Cathedral is worth taking a look at inside and out.  Ricky was very taken with the lovely creaminess of the limestone used in the buildings in Paris and this place was no exception, beautiful inside and out.

Queues can be a problem in Paris but we joined the one here and it was not long before we were inside.  No charge to get in but if you wanted to light at tealight candle it cost E2.00 or a bigger one E5.00 and from the number of candles lots of people obviously liked to participate in this.

You can only stand in awe at the magnificence of the architecture of this building.

Can you tell I am cold?

It does seem customary when tourists are touring that the proof that I have been here photos need to be taken.

I wonder if they should be taken when temperatures are at freezing point and it is a bit hard to muster a smile.

Ricky and I had arrived at the Eiffel Tower with time to spare for our tour and so we walked across the River Seine and this is the photo to prove I was there.


This photo was taken from the first level of the Eiffel Tower. Still very cold.

Amazingly I lost my gloves before the day was through.  You would wonder that I even took them off.

Eiffel Tower

We had booked a Skip The Line tour to see the Eiffel Tower and left our apartment by 8.30am to ensure we would be there on time. As things turned out we were well ahead of time so found a take out place for coffee and toasted ham and cheese sandwiches.

It has to be said that this was a very cold day to be out and about in Paris.

I don't think the temperature rose above one degree Celsius all day and there were not any places to shelter while we waited.

The Tower does not open until 9.30am but queues were there well in advance of this time. We were glad we were going to be able to skip the line.

Eventually our tour group gathered and we were on our way.

Our guide was very good. She took us up to the first level and explained in an interesting and clear way the many landmarks of the city. She happened to be from San Francisco and the whole of the tour was in English.

She left us with the option of taking the next lift to the top but in this case there were queues and it was all outside. In the freezing temperatures we thought that best left for another time.

Apart from the cold an extremely worthwhile experience. If I had a bucket list this item would have been ticked.

This one is for Lisa - spotted in Paris

When Ricky and I arrived in Paris we were not able to get immediate access to our apartment. However there was a nice restaurant next door and so we decided to opt for our first genuine taste of French cuisine.

We were not disappointed. I had the most delicious vegetable tart with salad and Ricky had eggs and bacon. He thought he add ordered omelette but something must have gotten lost in translation. Very nice nevertheless.

The weather was very cold with snow falling outside as we ate. Up on the windowsill a small snowman, part of the Christmas decorations. I thought of my daughter- in- law, Lisa. Snowmen would have to be one of her favourite Christmas decorations

Even after lunch our apartment was not ready but we were able to leave our luggage so set off to wander the street and to soak up the atmosphere as part of our brief stay in Paris.