First Words. So many things have been written about Paris that I could say anything and I’m sure its already been said and a t-shirt printed for it. I was finally getting a chance to go to Paris after hearing all my friends speak so highly about it. After all the hype I really felt that I was going to be disappointed with this fair city but I found to my surprise that Paris really is a wonderful city and much like Salzburg, I cannot wait to go and visit again in spring.
| Dates
|
Out of Heathrow Saturday afternoon, 04 December
In to Heathrow Tuesday afternoon, 07 December |
| Airline |
BMI |
| Why go? |
Who doesn?t want to go!
|
| Weather |
Some cloudy cover but most days were clear, cool and dry. |
| The experience |
I met up with Lana at Heathrow airport on Saturday morning. Poor thing was feeling a little bit ragged from all her flying around Asia and North America during the last month. However, she was in fine spirits and appeared to be set to tackle the Parisians.
|
| |
First order of business upon getting to Paris was getting to our hotel. Although this was not supposed to be that difficult it really tested our patience as there was a longer than anticipated wait for what turned out to be an extremely crowded bus into the city. Then of course we had to navigate our way through the Metro system while dragging around, for Lana at any rate, a 30kg suitcase. Mine was slightly lighter at about 16kg. Finally, after about two, maybe three, hours (though I swear it felt longer) we arrived out our very lovely hotel Best Western Lorette Opera near Montmartre. And could we find anywhere to eat? (The story of our trip really!) We ended up at a Chinese restaurant that Lana had sampled on her last visit here. The bonus ? fried frog legs. Yummy.
|
| |
After our nightmare start, getting around to the various sights was simply a matter of hopping on to the Metro. The Metro is great for getting around but they really do like to make you walk long distances between transfers. Don?t be mislead by the Metro map!
|
| |
This was a great time to be coming to Paris with the shopping avenues lit up in their Christmas glory and the general spirits of the city high despite the cold. We made mandatory visits to high profile tourist areas, such as Notre Dame, The Louvre, Sacre Coeur, Sainte-Chapelle but never actually stepped inside these places. Not sure what happened with the time but we spent a lot of time walking! However, whilst Lana shopped, I did climb the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower for the nice views over the Champs-Elysees and Paris. Oh ? and we managed to catch a show in the form of Moulin Rouge. Definitely a lot of fun. |
| Highlights |
Eiffel Tower at dusk with its beautiful lights
Satisfaction of climbing as much of the Eiffel Tower as possible
Gorgeous ice cream from Berthillon (31 Rue Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile ). I tried the gingerbread flavour and it was beautiful. Ice cream here is not cheap but you?ve gotta try it at least once. Watching the excitement of the locals as they line up with their take-away Styrofoam containers is entertaining as well
The christmas lights and window displays of Galaries Lafayette and the Au Printemps as they seek to outdo each other in the annual unofficial Christmas display competition
Centre Pompidou (even though I didn?t get to go inside!)
Yummy pastries for breakfast!
|
| Lowlights |
The difficulty of finding nice dinner places after 8pm at night. Paris is definitely not a 24 hour town
The shoddy seats you get at Moulin Rouge if you don?t book a dinner and show package
|
| Final words |
Paris is a very beautiful city and one that deserves the praise that it receives. I can’t wait for spring 2005! |
Grace, i was just thinking about the trip we just did and can’t wait to see it on your blog (faster than me uploading my pics to facebook I think!). At any rate, do you know its been nearly exactly 5 years from the date we left to go to Paris and the date we left to go to finland..5 years and 2 days..did we plan it that way???LOL!