Peter's take on Paris

Monday - 23 Oct


NB Due to slow internet connection - no photos 


We planned for a slower day and walked to the Pantheon for a look see. We actually see it from our apartment every day and it is an imposing and beautiful structure. And big. We had packed lunch (you can assume some ham, cheese, tomatoes, and bread +wine for any “we packed lunch” story). Toured the building including climbing to the top as part of a free tour add on. Fantastic and the 63,000 steps (I thought this was an easy day Dear??!!) we climbed I am sure, were good for me and “The Child Bride”. This building has many outstanding features but the centerpiece is probably Foucault’s Pendulum. Essentially a brass sphere swings on a thin wire connected to the ceiling of the building and this swinging ball (still with me?) illustrates the rotation of the Earth and thus shows an accurate time. 


OK. This was great and lunch in the gutter outside Pantheon (plastic cups and red wine included) yummo (surprise). How much history can a couple of middle aged tourists from Downunder endure? Let’s go to Notre Dame. As you do. We walked there too. We see a long queue when we get there and have a brief panic. But hey! It’s free to get in and the queue moves fast with M and P now in tow.


Well walk was worth it. For those who have been here you will remember the amazing stained glass windows (I know, it’s a Cathedral) but beautiful blues and pinks and reds.  Walked back to Chateau McClenaghan content and tired but could not resist a couple of little glasses of red at a sidewalk café close to our abode. Sipping and watching mad Paris traffic zoom by.

Tuesday. Leetle sleep in and then off to explore a department store called Galleries Laffayette – like Myers or DJs only bigger and with an unbeatable centre piece glass domed ceiling (Photo to follow in a few days). Herself satisfied craving for buying French clothing while himself wandered along in tow having a great great great time…….
I don’t know about you guys but shopping makes me very tired (especially if I am not actually buying anything). But not Child Bride. Let’s go see Arch de Triomphe she suggested. (I wonder if they serve beer there I secretly pined. They don’t). Getting dark now as our search for a very big building sort of meandered. Finally see it on Champs Elyses (“Go Cadel”!!!). Gee! It is big. Yay Napolean. Let’s climb it she suggests. I overwhelm her with my energy and desire to climb more stairs. But worth it in the end. It’s night time in Paris and we are on roof of the Arc. Eiffel Tower is glittering like a giant Christmas decoration and 360 degree views of city truly spectacular. Just fantastic…and yes….worth the climb. This is a definite must do if you are here. Best view of the Eiffel and Paris. 
Forgot to mention. Champs Elyses is a packed shopping strip at night and v v busy. Lots of street performers too. Why a certain group dragged me kicking and screaming onto the pavement to join them in their gymnastic gyrations and various body contortion maneuvers I do not know. I was not saying pick me! (photo to follow). Comment from Mary:  Confirmation that Peter was just standing next to me quietly when they picked him. I couldn't believe it! Metro home with dinner in a nice little restaurant on Avenue des Gobblins close to us. Sri Lankan owner very nice. Food excellent. Beer (first in days) went down fast.

Wednesday.

Whole day devoted to Fat Tire tour of Versailles. 
Metro to Fat Tire. Briefing. Walk to train station and off to Versailles we go (20 kms out of Paris). Arrive on a cool clear morning and collect bikes and off to only market in Versailles (but what a market). Brekkie – crepes made in street + fresh squeezed OJ and macca’s coffee! Fantastic brekkie. Then off exploring market with goal to choose lunch ingredients for picnic at Versailles later. Found a fantastic wine shop and the red turned out to be delicious (close to best on tour so far). Chose 3 cheeses from Fromager after tasting them. Man oh man. Fresh bread, the sweetest  tomatoes and a couple of terrines. 


We then set off on bikes with 14 other adventurers. We get the back door tour of Versailles ie the grounds etc (Palace comes later). The grounds are stunning (2,200 acres) and the grand and petite canals both breath taking in their beauty. This gives the Tiergarten in Berlin a serious run for its money. We park our bikes at the head of the Grand Canal looking along its length to the Palace 2 kms in the distance. A truly amazing view and hardly anyone where we are. The picnic is a resounding success with our diverse group excelling in food and wine choices. We have a couple of Americans whose parents own a vineyard in the USA and they have been to France before. Ditto another American couple (on their 30 yr anniversary trip as well) v v nice. Some Aussies, including a very loud but fun girl from Melbourne and a couple of really nice wine guzzling Canadians. Food shared as was wine and conversation and one of the most fantastic meals I have had (cheeses, tomatoes and raspberries to die for).  Eventually got to see Palace (spectacular and underwhelming in some ways. So much money spent on this building and grounds – viva le revolution!!!). 
Train home and leftovers and easy food for dinner then sleep.


We intend to spend most of Thursday at The Louvre (if our legs and feet allow)