We didn't even wake up until about 11 am after our late night. For a busy city it isn't really noisy in the mornings.

We decided to catch the metro to get to
our afternoon excursion, so after navigating a menu and ending up with quiche and toasties again, we set off. The system is all colour coded which is very helpful. All lines are numbered and known by their end destinations. For instance our stop is the Trocadero but is on the number 9 line named Pont Serv. We made it no problem to the opera house by about 1.45 near where we were to meet our electric bicycle tour at 2.30. We found a great little cafe called Adams where I had a freshly squeezed orange juice (orange presse) and we shared a pain au chocolate. Probably for the first time in Paris I felt not only comfortable but competent in a cafe. While not necessarily agreeing with the common thought that the French are rude, I have found that there is an air of disdain and mild intolerance.

Anyway to the tour ....

Back in June I had found a little ad for an electric bike tour called Hidden Charms of Paris, and got us tickets at 50 % discount.

By the time we got there I was a little nervous about the idea of me on a bike for four hours! However these had an electric motor which made life much easier.

The tour guide was guy named Pepe who was originally from Mexico but has lived in Paris for years and is obviously madly in love with the city. His personality was perfect as he was an excellent story teller and an engaging, funny guy. History came alive when he gave us little stories and pieces of history that we certainly had never been aware of.

Over the four hours we visited several places. One was a very old Chapel (where Marie Antoinette used to go) that was saved from damage during the revolution by a clever old nun. Apparently when they turned up to do their bit, instead of being met with rocks and hot oil, she offered them refreshments in the way of wine. Well not wanting to appear ungrateful .... They all got so drunk they couldn't complete their mission and left and never returned. This made it one of the only churches to go unharmed in the revolution.

We also visited the church made famous in the Dan Brown novel The Da Vinci Code. The guide pointed out a few discrepancies in the story, but it was still really interesting to see. He told us some stories about the Templar Knights and the painter who did a couple of the frescoes in the church. Mmm .... I don't think George and the Dragon is a story form the bible tho ...

Anyway we were with three other couples, 2 from Australia.
This was the most excellent way to get around Paris and we would recommend this to anyone. I had my first experience of being sworn at and abused in French! Not my fault that she stepped out in front of me! "Oo pardon" says me ...

Especially rewarding for us, as up to a few months ago, we wouldn't have thought it possible for me.