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Saturday - Off to Paris - Sunday Enjoy the Sights
Up out of bed early to catch the TGV train to Paris, a trip of just over 2 hours with one stop in Dijon along the way. We were in the upper level of the train which gave us excellent views of the small villages with their church spires reaching for the heavens and neat tree lined streets of 2 storey stone houses of cream to light brown stonework, with their elegant chimney stacks and dormer windows protruding from the roofs. There are lots of small villages, and they are quite close together with quiet country roads linking them together which may be worth exploring on another trip. The countryside passing by is very beautiful, quite flat and very agricultural with a mix of wheat and hay which was being harvested as we passed. A highlight are the acres of sunflowers all facing the sun which made the fields a brilliant yellow.
Into Paris and off the train with people everywhere. We are not yet used to the crowds but managed to get out of the station and straight into a taxi which surprised us as we envisaged a long wait but maybe good timing as Saturday is a day of relaxation for the French. We arrived at our apartment which is located in the centre of Paris about 100 meters from Tuileries garden which flows on from the Louvre Museum and a very short walk to the Champs Élysées. The apartment is on the first floor and faces Rue St Honore (street name) and it is lovely, very spacious, comfortable and well appointed with all the mod cons, so we will enjoy spending a month here.
Paris on a Saturday in the summer is extremely busy with people absolutely everywhere, all the cafe's are overflowing. Cars, buses, bikes and pedestrians all intermingling but all seem safe and drivers are very aware of bikes and people on foot. Very hot today 33C.
Sunday out for a walk around our area to see the sights. Tuileries garden first stop to enjoy it's stunning aisles of trees, flower beds, fountains, ponds and wide walkways and lots of huge bronze and stone statues scattered throughout the gardens. We continued walking towards the Louvre museum which is the old royal castle. The architecture and mass of the building is just stunning, truly one of the sights of Paris, along with the Eiffel Tower, which is quite close to the gardens, as are the beautiful bridges over the river Seine, and the many government buildings and public museums etc.
Back through Tuileries & along the Champs Élysées which is already cordoned off with corporate grandstand seating along each side of the road towards the Arc de Triomphe, so no chance of seeing any of the tour from this area.
We will have to do our homework and find a good spot very early on to see the riders go by. We are very surprised that things are set up with traffic changes a week out from the tour arrival it just shows how important the Tour de France is to Paris, & indeed all of France.
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Suzie & David Churton Don't know which one of you is writing this blog, but we feel like we are there with you..... Won't need to travel anymore!!!! Amazing descriptions and beautifully put together.