and off to Paris.....

At the Eiffel Tower

Monday morning and we caught the Eurostar from St Pancras International Station, with the rest of the hords at 8.30am, to Paris.  Monday morning was pretty busy, and the ques were quite long to get through security and customs, but despite this we made it to our train in time.  A short efficient trip into Paris, and a Metro ride of a few stops and we were at our hotel near Notre Dame.

After stowing our bags, we popped down to the street where there was an ample supply of restaurants to choose from for lunch - we chose one very close to the hotel.  Then it was off on the RER (kind of like the metro, but a "double decker" like Sydney's trains!) to the Eiffel Tower.  It was VERY cold.... at least the wind was at the top of the tower!  We took the lift all the way to the top, and spent some time admiring the view.  Amazing that most of Paris is only is only a few stories high, but the Eiffel Tower soars over everything else, so from the top you can see miles and miles of Paris - very spectacular.  The tower itself reminded us of the Sydney Harbour Bridge... same steel and rivet construction - amazing!

We then took a trip to look at the Cathedral at Notre Dame - very impressive architecture.  Both it and the Effiel Tower were in the middle of rennovations - the Eiffel Tower was having a new "level 1" put on, and Notre Dame was having some repair work and new bells being installed.  The stained glass and the vaulted cealings of Notre Dame were remarkable to see, and we spent some time inside just taking it in (and getting warm!).

After a quick bit of shopping for gloves for the kids (as snow is expected tomorrow!), we had a brief rest at the hotel before we were off to another of the local French Bistros for dinner.  

The one dissapointment for the day was Jess, not speaking as much French as we had hoped.  Has she forgotten it all only a few short weeks after the HSC?  Maybe we'll make her do all the talking - IN FRENCH - tomorrow to find out!

Our open topped bus to show us around!

OK.... there are 2 things to tell you about Paris.  First - it's VERY COLD sitting on the top of an open air tourist bus in Paris in winter, and second - Paris traffic is terrible!

We spent today on and off a bus touring around the sites of Paris.  We caught the bus just near Notre Dame, and saw sights like the Musee d'Orsay where we got off to have a wander around (we didn't have time to actually go in).  We did see the Republican Gurds go past on horses, apparently practising for some dignitary who was in Paris.  Right near the Musee d'Orsay was a footbridge accross the Seine, which had hundreds of padlocks attached to it's railing - apparently it is tradition to write your name and your partners name on the padlock, lock it to the railing, and throw the key in the river!  There were hundreds of these padlocks on the footbridge, it was very cool - made Kellie and I wish we had brought our own padlock!

Back on the bus and past the Place de la Concorde, along the Champs-Elysees and around the Arc de Triomphe.  Next around the Trocadero, Effiel Tower and Grand Palais (where we passed a "living wall") before going back along the Champs-Elysees to the Place de la Concorde and the Madeleine Church where we got off the bus for another look around and some lunch (washed down with the thickest Hot Chocolate that Tony and Tim had ever had!).

We then got back on a different bus route for a tour of the opera and theatre districts - the Paris Opera House and the Moulin Rouge where the cultural highlights... but we also passed two of the major railway stations in Paris - the Gare du Norde (where we came in on the Eurostar) and the Gare de L'Est.... which Zac loved seeing.  We then walked from the Madeleine Church (our bus had done a full loop) to the Place de la Concorde so we could then walk the length of the Champs-Elysees and see the Christmas markets.  Much Mulled Wine was had to keep us going - well, Tim anyway!

Then the RER for one stop, back to the hotel for a bit of a rest before dinner at a local French Bistro. We might have to lay off all this fine French food or we won't be able to fit in our clothes when we get home!

A post script..... no snow today (but it was cold) but Jess DID speak some French - and was actually complemented by one of the shop-keepers at the Champs-Elysees.

Versailles

Today it was up early and off on the RER to Versailles to see the Chateau.  It was not snowing, but there was plenty of frost on the ground - all the more the further we got out of Paris.

We had an early tour booked of the Chateau - which was good, as the crowds were gathering in ernest just as we were leaving!  We arrived so early we could see the sun rising on the Chateau when we arrived.... spectacular!  We spent some time before our tour to look around the gardens, which were amazing.  Winter had obviously meant that all the plants had hibernated, but we could see the extensive grounds.  In summer, with all the leaves on the trees, it would have indeed been a sight to see.  There was even a few joggers running through the grounds - no doubt enjoying the serenity and peace that the manicured gardens provided.

We then met our tour guide for the tour of the Kings Appartments.  It was fantastic to see the oppulent rooms of the Chateau, and to learn a bit about how the King lived and interacted with his courtisans.  A very sureal world.  There was gold leaf and extravagent furniture everywhere - all very well preserved, and still much work being undertaken to further restore the Chateau to it's former glory.

We then took the train back to Paris, for a quick tour past the Sorbonne and to the North of the city - around the Bastille district, before we did some obligatory shopping for French stuff (everyone got something!) so we looked "tres Chic"!  

Jess and Tony had decided to take up their Mum and Dad on a challenge that had been set.  You see, in China their Uncle Mark had set them a challenge and they had eaten Chickens Feet - a delicacy enjoyed by the Chinese - and the challange had been set that Jess and Tony ought to try the local French delicacy - Escargot!  They managed to share a plate of half a dozen snails between the two of them.... and were rewarded with some spending money for their trouble.  We'll have think of some culinary challenge for them in London... hmmmmm!

Then a bit of a relax at the hotel, before heading out for our last dinner in Paris in yet another local bistro.

We awoke to our last day in Paris..... "we haven't been here for long enough" was the cry!  Quite right.  There is so much to see and do, you could spend ages here - but alas, we have to leave and get back to London. 

After a quick breakfast, we are off for our last wander around the streets of Paris.  We walk around the Ile de la Cite - that has Notre Dame and the Palais du Justice, as well as many old Mansions and appartments - it was a great community.  Then down toward the Louvre, past yet another bridge that had the padlocks of lovers on it.  Because we had such limited time in Paris, we weren't able to look through the Louvre (or other museums and galleries), so I guess we will just have to come back another time!!!

After our morning excursion, we grabbed our bags and boarded the Metro to Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar back to London.  On the way home there was was the beautiful French countyside, much of it covered in snow and frost, then we had to wait all of 12 seconds for a tube connection back to Jeremys house!  These European train systems are great..... Australia could learn a lot from them.

We were greated by frost on the trees in Jeremys backyard.  But the weather will warm up in the next few days....  After a bit of a rest, we met up with Jeremy for dinner at a Italian restaurant.