Paris Sight Seeing Tour by Limo
Trip Start
Apr 06, 2010
1
17
22
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Now, before you get your undergarments all up in a bundle and start sending me your cards and letters, I know just what you’re about to say. "Isn’t a stretch limousine, or any limousine for that matter, politically incorrect (or too expensive) for today’s economic climate?" The answer is absolutely not.
Rather, the truth is exactly the opposite. People are in need of some hope and by conducting your outings as usual (or sight seeing) in your limo, you not only get where you’re going comfortably but you’re lifting your fellow man at the same time. (I always love a good, two birds with one stone story.)
Case in point: Recently, we went on an outing with some good friends; sight seeing the highest of highlights that Paris has to offer. As our limo weaved through the Parisian streets, we were absolutely devoured.
Like a magnet, people of all walks and nationalities were assiduously, almost compulsively attracted to us. Lovers were delirious and drawn to kiss once more. The young approached bravely with cameras and posed for pictures.
Paris’ finest perfume fragranced the air and we were all whisked away into a glorious fantasy where we were Cary Grant or Marilyn Monroe, (or preferably your favorite rock star).
(In addition, just between you and me the rental price for a limo with driver is quite reasonable and worth checking into for some luxurious sight seeing around Paris.)
To keep up appearances, we took the underground metro across town to meet our friends inside the very luxurious Hotel Régina, superbly located across from the Louvre. Our driver (Harrison Ford’s double with a suave, Parisian accent), arrived with our car promptly.
Our outing started with a leisurely drive through one of Paris’ most posh neighborhoods – the Red Light District. There, we took in the sights of the Moulin Rouge cabaret, (home of the Can-Can), titillating bouquets, vagabond bohemians, along with some scandalous sights that take on a better appearance under the cover of darkness.
We swung by the Les Deux Magots or as we say in Paris, Les Deux Magots de la Chine (The Two Figurines from China), one of the most prestigious Parisian eating establishments and rendezvous (meeting) places for the intellectual elite for more than a century. I know it was rude of us not to stop but we were on a mission; which takes me to our next destination, . . .
The pearly, white Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (Basilica of Sacred Heart), built upon Paris’ highest hill top. Harrison (our driver) recommended that we all step out to take in the panoramic view of his fine Parisian city (besides he needed a cigarette). I have to admit, the view from up here is so spectacular that ladies must be careful to not get too excited for fear of losing their blouses. (Inside joke there – I do apologize.)
Perched on Paris’ highest point, this heart of heart’s basilica has watched over Parisian souls 24 hours a day since its completion in 1923, and watch it should. Like all Roman Catholic basilicas, this baby was built with the finest materials and is full of priceless collections; one of these being it’s finely crafted pipe organ built by infamous Aristide Cavaillé-Coll.
But why waste your time standing around inside staring at an old, dusty organ when you can stand around outside, smoke a cigarette (French for little cigar), and hang out with an authentic bohemian violinist on the street corner. (The marble staircase makes for great acoustics.)
After we finished our fumer (smoking), it was time to take in some creativity. Unfortunately, we were unable to find the alleged, mysterious gravesite of Jim Morrison, so we compromised for the art district instead (the Montmartre), where we viewed beautifully overpriced works of art.
Aimlessly cruising around in our stretch limo, we were certainly the eye stopper. And of course all this attention can be very tiring. So the boys, Mike and Deril, were forced to take a little nap. Don’t feel embarrassed if this happens to you. Trying to cruise Paris in your stretch limo during rush hour traffic can be exhausting (especially after a few brewskes).
Speaking of rush hour, Paris’ worst traffic hour is the perfect time to drive your stretch limo through the infamous L’Etoile (the star) intersection, known for its 12 busy avenues that radiate out and cross through its center. (Not the place you would want to run out of petrol). However, it’s simply marvelous fun when the traffic light changes before you can finish crossing this intersection, leaving you stranded in the middle of a 12 way traffic pile-up. (If you haven’t already grown accustom to the horns blowing your way, you will after this experience.)
Rush hour was also the perfect time to take our prestigious drive down the Champs-Elysées, the most famous street in all of Paris. As the second most expensive strip of real estate in all of Europe, brimming with wealth and power, it beckoned our limo to cruise it from top to bottom, (two whole kilometers or as they say in the States, 1.25 miles). I highly recommend beginning your cruise down the Champs-Elysées thoroughfare, as we did, at the east end, behind the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries (a royal garden built for Catherine de Médici behind the Louvre).
Don’t close your eyes because quickly, coming up on your right, will be the Palais de l'Elysée (the Elysee Palace). Once home to many a royalty is now home to the people (actually just the president lives here). So as we drove by, we waived a hardy hello to President, Nicolas Sarkozy, and in an act of goodwill, the crowd blocking the Palace gates waived back for him. (Who says the French aren’t friendly.)
As we continued west down the Champs-Elysées into the setting sun, our stretch limousine glided between perfectly manicured chestnut trees, lined with French cafes, luxurious shopping, France’s finest restaurants and cinemas. While it was tempting to stop (which you basically are in the traffic) we pressed on to the Champs final destination, the Arc de Triomphe.
Positioned in front of the setting sun, the Arc de Triomphe was built in tribute to Napoleon’s heyday, and it celebrates many French battle victories. (Please note, the key victory word being French so as not to be confused with Hitler’s invasion of Paris, whose appearance under the Arch was of pure coincidence, at least as far as the French are concerned.) The Arch is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and now the focal point for numerous national public events.
If you’re really up for some limo fun and you set your timing just right, you can arrive at the Arc de Triomphe in dignitary fashion during the ceremonial lighting of the eternal flame over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The flame is symbolically reignited daily in grand ceremonial style at 6:30 pm sharp, and if your big, flashy limousine arrival is dignitarial and timely, you can create quite a stir, as we did. Upon arrival, simply drive your limo in repeated circles around the base of the Arc and watch as the soldiers suddenly stand straighter, the band plays louder, and heads turn in your direction (even the soldiers). You are sure to confuse everybody. What fun!! To add to the excitement, we stuck an arm out from behind our tinted windows and made a courteous waive as we drove by. The crowd went simply mad.
With the sun going down, romance was upon us, and so it was time to make a scene at the Eiffel Tower. Wherever there is a crowd, the smart thing to do is to make your limo driver wait in front while you hop out to take your photos, buy some souvenirs, smoke a cigarette or do whatever. The important thing to remember is that you’re lifting your fellow man, so take your time, as we did.
While wasting time posing for silly photos at the Eiffel Tower overlook, we met the friendliest young men from Africa who gave us a great deal on some designer watches. Talk about serendipity. Can you get any luckier than this?
After these cyanogens, it was time to tame it down a bit, so we 'headed’ over to the Gothic cathedral of Nortre-Dame, located on the Seine island of Ile de la Cite, (island of the City) where again, our driver waited in front while we horsed around.
And a visit to Ile de la Cite just wouldn’t be complete without a drive over the footbridge to Ile St. Louis, (an exclusive residential enclave of Parisian upper crust).
On our return trip we took the scenic route and enjoyed Paris all lit up. When the sun goes down the streets and buildings in Paris light up, so be sure your limo ride includes an evening cruise, especially along the Seine River where the lights bounce off the waterway.
At night, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated like an American Christmas tree. The Grand Palais with its enormous, illuminated glass roof and the Petit Palais each grace the side of the Pont Alexandre sparkle with lights. The Louvre and its Glass Pyramid are also beautiful lit at night.
When you finally arrive home in your limo this may be the only time you’ll get to hear the kids say, “We’re there already?” And you’ll feel the same way too because being in fashion is never tiring. When in Paris you’re not sloppy with your clothing attire. So, when you got to get out and about in Paris, don’t get sloppy with your travel attire. Always remember to take the big, flashy stretch limousine, and don’t forget to include your good friends (they’ll never forgive you otherwise).
