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Wednesday 10th Dec - As we left Disneyland for Paris, we were a little confused at the train station, finally finding an information centre and while waiting in line for assistance the crowd disappeared rather fast, then we were told the trains to Paris were free due to technical difficulties so we also rushed down with our cases and jumped on the train with minutes to spare. The journey was about 45 mins into the city.
Arriving in Paris finally, again being a bit baffled as to how to get out of the train station, because we had not brought a ticket to get on the train we had no ticket to get out! Luckly I remembered the spare tickets the travel agent gave us - they worked. So up onto the streets of Paris to orientate ourselves with Rob on a steep learning curve using Google maps on his phone and making a comment "l should use this more often!" We made it to our hotel dragging our cases through the streets of Paris for about 1.5 hours, and stopping for some lunch. Liam was fantastic pulling his case with only a couple of times saying how much longer! I have to admit I almost said it at times.
The Hotel de la Tour Eiffel is a quaint little hotel that is a close walk to the tower, friendly staff and breakfast is served in a tiny bakery/cafe down the street.
So our first night we walked out to see the big tall tower - a little impressive at night.
Thursday 11th Dec - off to see some bricks and mortar, and take in some culture today.Our first stop was the Arc De Triomphe. Climbing more than 156 steps (Liam's count) to the top my legs were a bit wobbly, Liam could have ran up another 156! What an impressive view of the city from the top. Once on the ground again we continued to walk along Champs Elysees Avenue. We came across the Christmas markets which consisted of stalls lining the avenue selling gifts, clothes and lots of yummy food choices. Rob and I enjoyed some German sausages while Liam tucked into a chocolate and cream waffle.
Finally dragging ourselves away from the markets we made it to the Louvre. A fascinating place which Liam found a little boring.....and couldn't really understand all the fuss! I did imagine the Mona Lisa painting a little bigger than it was in real life. Liam also wondered why many of the sculptures were naked, I didn't really have an answer to that one! A wonderful day in Paris finishing with tea at Le Dome with views of the Eiffel Tower that sparkled with light on the hour.
Friday 12th Dec - today started with a climb up the tower, unfortunately due to weather conditions being rather windy we could only get to the 2nd floor, but the views were still spectacular, it was raining off and on, and the chill factor was very cold. At Christmas time you can skate on the first floor of the tower so Liam and I gave it ago, Rob chickened out. The moment Liam glided onto the ice you would have thought he had done it all his life, he just took off and only fell once, so while Liam was skating up and down, I was holding onto the edge trying not to fall, I did get the hang of it enough to have fun, with only a couple of falls, and no injuries. The day started to come in quiet wet so we decided to master the underground metro and made our way to Notre-Dame Cathedral, a beautiful building and place of more than 700 years old and widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. The old streets around the cathedral had some great food shops so we stopped for lunch and a waffle.I can imagine this area super busy in summer. Time to hop on the underground metro again and up to see the next church - Sacre Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris) when we popped up onto the street from the underground we thought we were in Africa, there must have been 50 African people to 1 white person. The Catholic cathedral is on the summit of "Butte Montmarte", the highest point of the city with fantastic views, and the inside having very spectacular painted ceilings.
So this brings our stay in Paris to an end for now, I would like to visit it in a different season, off to Rome tomorrow, Liam is looking forward to Rome because he remembers so much of it.
Arriving in Paris finally, again being a bit baffled as to how to get out of the train station, because we had not brought a ticket to get on the train we had no ticket to get out! Luckly I remembered the spare tickets the travel agent gave us - they worked. So up onto the streets of Paris to orientate ourselves with Rob on a steep learning curve using Google maps on his phone and making a comment "l should use this more often!" We made it to our hotel dragging our cases through the streets of Paris for about 1.5 hours, and stopping for some lunch. Liam was fantastic pulling his case with only a couple of times saying how much longer! I have to admit I almost said it at times.
The Hotel de la Tour Eiffel is a quaint little hotel that is a close walk to the tower, friendly staff and breakfast is served in a tiny bakery/cafe down the street.
So our first night we walked out to see the big tall tower - a little impressive at night.
Thursday 11th Dec - off to see some bricks and mortar, and take in some culture today.Our first stop was the Arc De Triomphe. Climbing more than 156 steps (Liam's count) to the top my legs were a bit wobbly, Liam could have ran up another 156! What an impressive view of the city from the top. Once on the ground again we continued to walk along Champs Elysees Avenue. We came across the Christmas markets which consisted of stalls lining the avenue selling gifts, clothes and lots of yummy food choices. Rob and I enjoyed some German sausages while Liam tucked into a chocolate and cream waffle.
Finally dragging ourselves away from the markets we made it to the Louvre. A fascinating place which Liam found a little boring.....and couldn't really understand all the fuss! I did imagine the Mona Lisa painting a little bigger than it was in real life. Liam also wondered why many of the sculptures were naked, I didn't really have an answer to that one! A wonderful day in Paris finishing with tea at Le Dome with views of the Eiffel Tower that sparkled with light on the hour.
Friday 12th Dec - today started with a climb up the tower, unfortunately due to weather conditions being rather windy we could only get to the 2nd floor, but the views were still spectacular, it was raining off and on, and the chill factor was very cold. At Christmas time you can skate on the first floor of the tower so Liam and I gave it ago, Rob chickened out. The moment Liam glided onto the ice you would have thought he had done it all his life, he just took off and only fell once, so while Liam was skating up and down, I was holding onto the edge trying not to fall, I did get the hang of it enough to have fun, with only a couple of falls, and no injuries. The day started to come in quiet wet so we decided to master the underground metro and made our way to Notre-Dame Cathedral, a beautiful building and place of more than 700 years old and widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. The old streets around the cathedral had some great food shops so we stopped for lunch and a waffle.I can imagine this area super busy in summer. Time to hop on the underground metro again and up to see the next church - Sacre Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris) when we popped up onto the street from the underground we thought we were in Africa, there must have been 50 African people to 1 white person. The Catholic cathedral is on the summit of "Butte Montmarte", the highest point of the city with fantastic views, and the inside having very spectacular painted ceilings.
So this brings our stay in Paris to an end for now, I would like to visit it in a different season, off to Rome tomorrow, Liam is looking forward to Rome because he remembers so much of it.
- comments
Pam Batten The is a gorgeous photo
Pam Batten And another! Special memories for the little man!
Pam Batten And this one is just the best!
Pam Batten Oh dear Raelene, Rob and Liam. I am envious! Makes me want to go on holiday again!