Florence and where-ever.

[Anna]

Luckily I'm having trouble seeing the Paris photos, as that will minimise the amount of extra makeup I will need today to cover the green tinge.

 

[JessicaTam]

Luckily I'm having trouble seeing the Paris photos, as that will minimise the amount of extra makeup I will need today to cover the green tinge.

You might need to stock up on concealer for the rest of the TR!

 

[jetlagger]

Just 'checked in" & also looking forward to this TR.. great work so far.

 

[JessicaTam]

Monday is Louvre day. This is my third visit and I am still in awe at the building and the collection. I am still seeing new things and will for some visits to come I am sure.

For those who have not been - go; for those who have - go again.

We were there soon after opening (9am) so the view of the Monna Lisa was not too crowded. Nor was the Venus de Milo. There was not much of a queue at the ticket office, however some may like to pre-buy tickets to save what queue there was. €12 each.



A couple of the locals


Cup of tea anyone?


These signs were everywhere

A long and exhausting day, so we headed for home to retire with some good french cheese and red wine. As we were walking home we chanced upon a film set. Apparently it is for a tele-movie, but I didn't catch the name. Traffic was stopped for about 10 minutes as the director had actors walking every which-way.


A not so typical Paris sight

 

[JessicaTam]

I have visited Paris three times, yet never climber the Eiffel Tower - the queues can be quite off-putting. Before leaving MEL I bought tickets to make sure that didn't happen again. So Tuesday was Eiffel day. We had a bit of a sleep in, did some washing and then headed off early. On the way we stopped for the obligatory cafe and croissant and were still early for our allocated time up the elevator. So we sat for a while and watched the crowds. How quickly the unlicensed vendors disappear when the police stroll by! Incidentally, the army patrol the tower base with semi automatic rifles*. They do not like they are to be trifled with.

We entered the lift on the Est leg and it was a little strange being in an elevator that goes up at an angle. Off at the second floor and then up the central elevator to the top. The views were amazing.


The Arc de Triomphe


The Louvre just across the Seine


Looking up


Our Metro home

*based on my limited recognition of armaments

 

[blackcat20]

That's one expensive cup of tea!

the weather wasn't nearly as nice when I went up the Eiffel Tower, we weren't allowed up the top, and one of the girls was blown down a set of steps, it was that windy.

 

[amaroo]

Day two in Frankfurt and we chose to do a tour of Heidelberg with 'Green Line Tours'. It was €74 each, and included pickup from the hotel and a packed lunch). After an hour in the minibus on the Autobahn we were at the castle in Heidelberg. Our driver proved to be very knowledgable and a little bit cheeky. Those who know me will not be surprised to learn that I responded in kind.

View attachment 24198

We were left to wander Heidelberg for a couple of hours which we did. Coffee and cake helped keep us motivated. Back on the bus and it was onto the Autobahn where we came to appreciate the scenery. You see, there was an accident ahead (two actually) so the trip took an two hours instead of one.

What did you think of the Heidelberg Tun? Assuming it's still there..... Heidelberg Tun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[jetlagger]

I have visited Paris three times, yet never climber the Eiffel Tower - the queues can be quite off-putting. Before leaving MEL I bought tickets to make sure that didn't happen again. So Tuesday was Eiffel day. We had a bit of a sleep in, did some washing and then headed off early. On the way we stopped for the obligatory cafe and croissant and were still early for our allocated time up the elevator. So we sat for a while and watched the crowds. How quickly the unlicensed vendors disappear when the police stroll by! Incidentally, the army patrol the tower base with semi automatic rifles*. They do not like they are to be trifled with.

We entered the lift on the Est leg and it was a little strange being in an elevator that goes up at an angle. Off at the second floor and then up the central elevator to the top. The views were amazing.

View attachment 24276
The Arc de Triomphe

View attachment 24277
The Louvre just across the Seine

View attachment 24278
Looking up

View attachment 24279
Our Metro home

*based on my limited recognition of armaments

Lovely pictures..

 

[Princess Fiona]

Lovely pictures..

I agree, they are great
Enjoying the TR !

 

[JessicaTam]

What did you think of the Heidelberg Tun? Assuming it's still there..... Heidelberg Tun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yes we saw the tun. And walked around it. And walked over it. An impressive piece of cooperage (sp?).

Lovely pictures..

I agree, they are great
Enjoying the TR !

Thanks. This is my first trip where I have not taken a dedicated camera. All photos taken with my iPhone 5S.

 

[Pushka]

Ah Paris. Lovely TR JessicaTam

 

[JessicaTam]

The day was a little greyer this morning. Perhaps a sign of what is to come. Heavy rain has fallen over most of southern UK and Italy. Plus heavy snow where we will be travelling in the next day or so. (Shhh, it's a surprise).

We headed up to Sacre Coeur and made it just in time for the end of mass. This was followed by some singing by the nuns, which we sat and listened to. We enjoyed a traditional lunch of Onion Soup with wine/hot chocolate before making our way to Rodin's Garden. Even though the we got a few drops of rain while we were there, it was still well worth the visit. The main house is closed for renos until mid February so there was a small exhibition inside the entry building. Total cost €1 each. I think the attendant took pity on us after we let a tour group 'push' through.


The Sacre Coeur


View of the Eiffel Tower from the Hôtel des Invalides


Something to ponder

 

[JessicaTam]

I thought I would include some notes on the Metro.

If you are only travelling in zone 1 (which covers much of the central area of the city) then you can buy single trip tickets for 1€50 or 13€70 for 10. Buy them at any train station, and they can also be used on the bus and RER (regional rail). There is also a smart card that can be used, but I have not investigated that further. The Metro stations are easy to recognise - just look for a sign you haven't seen before:




Three examples, just from today.

 

[JessicaTam]

If you are a sweet tooth, then come prepared to be tempted:




There are patisseries on many streets, so one is never far away. I am a sucker for being able to walk down the street in Paris eating a fresh croissant ou pain au chocolat. (Translates to: yum).

Our studio apartment was small but functional. The kitchen was able to be used, albeit by one person only, and the living area was big enough to stretch out in. There was a queen bed and a sofa bed which was comfortable and a good size too. The only gripe is that the shower was missing a pane of glass, so the floor got quite wet each time it was used.


Our digs

'Just around the corner' were butchers, bakers, fish shops, cheese shops, fruit shops, supermarkets, cafes. We wanted for nothing.

 

[Pushka]

The patisseries are to die for. We enjoyed amazing chocolate fondant eclairs in the gardens behind Notre Dame. Priceless.

 

[ellen10]

Book marking to read tonight. Love trip reports!
Thanks for sharing.

 

[cmon0005]

If you are a sweet tooth, then come prepared to be tempted:.

I'm already feeling tempted just looking at the pictures!

Loving the pics and report keep them coming!
Enjoy the rest of your trip

 

[Anna]

Please don't post any more cake photos. It is cruel and inhuman torture.

I have had to add Paris to my April itinerary now

 

[codash1099]

This is great, expecially since I'm off to Paris for the 7th or 8 th time in a few weeks. It never gets stale.

 

[TomVexille]

Just the talk of all that food makes me hungry...