There is something about it!
Trip Start
Sep 05, 2011
1
17
19
Trip End
Oct 19, 2011
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Saturday, October 8, 2011
A quick trip by metro to Gare de Nord where my hotel is located and I was finally out into Paris. The hotel I am staying at was quiet reasonably priced, in a good position although it is a little dodgy at night but I have had no problems coming home late. One big difference to Switzerland is the amount of homeless people and beggars in the streets, young/old and of all different nationalities.
After checking in I headed out to discover the area. There are plenty of restaurants, supermarkets, markets and transport options. One thing I notice is the price drop for meals compared to Switzerland. I am sure I will eat well here. I just stayed local tonight and get a relatively early night.
My first day in Paris consisted of 7 hours walking. I didn't get the metro at all but opted to explore the city by foot and let me tell you my feet and legs felt it by the end of the day. I started from the hotel and headed across to the Opera and down through the ministry of justice and Vendome to the gardens at the Louvre and the Louvre itself. Unfortunately it was raining but that didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for sightseeing. There was plenty of puddles and mud but Paris is still wonderful in the rain. I contemplated going in to the Louvre until I saw the line, weaving across and around the plaza. There also appeared to be some 20km Paris run going on and there were hundreds of people running into the Louvre and then along the Seine. I then wandered along the Seine where I got my first glimpse of the Eiffel tower shrouded in rain and cloud, past the Obelisque and up the Champs Elysees doing some window shopping along the way to reach the Arc de Triomphe. Where here it was as chaotic as I remember, cars weaving everywhere, tourists snapping photos. I then headed down and across the Seine with a delicious baguette to eat along the way to reach the Eiffel tower where the clouds had lifted and you were able to see the tower in all its glory. I never tire of seeing it and after snapping a few photos and sitting for a while I continued along the Seine on this side of the river past the Musee D’Orsay down to the Notre Dame. The rain had eased and the book and painters had begun to set up their stalls. The line for the Notre Dame was also insanely long so I was content to sit outside for a while and take it all in. I then head up past the opulent Hotel de Ville to the Place de Republique and finally back to the hotel for a small rest.
That evening I walked to Sacre-Coeur to see the lights of Paris from the steps. I had forgotten how many steps there are to get up there and after the walk from today to say I was a little weary was an understatement. There was a musician playing some classic rock songs on the steps with about 100 people singing, cheering and clapping along. Lots of people had bought up a picnic and were enjoying the night. I headed up behind the Sacre-Coeur to the streets that have lots of little cafes, restaurants and shops. I ducked into a small creperie for a ham and cheese crepe. It was a tiny shop and the owner and waiter were lovely and wanted to know why a beautiful lady like me is alone in Paris. They were very sweet and I was a little flattered. I then headed back down and to Montmartre to go and see the Moulin rouge and its famous windmill all lit up. I was going to go the show but they are sold out for the nights I am here of course. I am actually quite surprised with how many tourists are here.
I wandered the streets and don’t remember Montmartre having so many interesting shops and shows. It could give the red light district in Amsterdam a run for its money.
The next morning I head out on foot again to the Cemetery Lachaise. One of a number of Cemeteries in Paris but probably the one that has the largest amount of so called famous and historical figures buried here, including Chopin, Oscar Wilde and of course Jim Morrison. I have to admit I rather like cemeteries. Wandering around and wondering about the lives the people led who are now resting here. There are some magnificent family tombs and gravestones here from a few hundred years ago to the present. It was sad to see though that people have graffittied and destroyed some of the graves and tombs. Jim Morrison’s tomb is now cordoned off by a fence and Oscar Wilde’s is scrawled with people’s names and lipstick. After here I headed down across the Seine to La Mosquee. A mosque that is now a Hammam, restaurant and shop. I stopped here for lunch and then head to the Latin quarter past the Sorbonne and Pantheon to sit for a while in the Luxembourg gardens (one of my favourite places in Paris). From here I headed back to the Seine where I decided it was time to get the Metro back to the hotel for an hour or two before I head back out for dinner.
My last day I returned to the Sacre-coeur as I have never been inside of it. I was suprised that even during mass they let tourists in. The sketch artists were out in force an many of them tried to get me to have a sketch done. Their flattery never worked.
I sat and looked at the view over Paris while I ate my chocolate crepe and then I wandered around Montmarte and even did a little souveniour shopping.
My time in Paris was spent wandering back streets and exploring the city itself rather than spending my time in museums or galleries. I have found the people of Paris friendly and helpful and have had no issues with stuffy Parisians as is commonly said. I speak no French except for hello, goodbye, please and thankyou but no one has taken offence to my English or bad attempt at the pleasantries. I think they appreciate that I at least try and that I do it with a smile.
Pairs is definitely a polar opposite to many of the places in Switzerland but I must say I enjoy the frantic pace and mix of people going about their day. From the crowded, dirty and hot metro system to the men on the street who murmur who knows what (and I don’t want to know) to me as I walk by. There is something wonderful about peering in all the shop windows and looking at the delicious cakes and pastries and then rifling through the second hand shops and book sellers wares that line the Seine.
Paris is truly a wonderful city and I am sure this will not be my last visit.
My time in Europe has come to an end and I am now to return to the UK for the last week of my trip. The realisation that is almost time for me to return home is sinking in and I sit here trying to think up ideas on how and when my next visit to this side of the world will be.
Comments
great photos as usual, you should send some in to a travel magazine. hope it fines up today
thanks mum. Is a little grey but hope it only showers