Once our fast train from Brussels reached Paris, we figured
out how to negotiate the Metro. People
were friendly and helpful, and the Metro got us right to our hotel. We quickly checked in and headed out to walk to
the Eiffel Tower. We had it in sight,
and it was just a matter of getting there. That beckoning from a few blocks away turned out to be about ten blocks.
I had seen the postcards and thought that the Eiffel Tower
was a tall metal structure, but I was totally blown away by the scale of it up close and personal.
We wanted to go up the elevator to the observation level,
but the line was very long, so we walked a few block and had a crepe (or course) for
dinner. By the time we got back, the
line was much shorter, so up we went.
You can see all of Paris from up there, and we weren’t even at the top. I have to give Nancy full credit. She walked down the steps from the observation tower while I waited in line for the elevator. I still beat her down by 10 min.
Exhausted, we headed back to our hotel. We managed to bypass all the hawkers, so we got back without a single keychain souvenir. Our room was right on the front corner. It
was very convenient and close to the Metro, but unfortunately, they chose that
night to do some jack hammering on the metro.
Sleep was hard to find.
We got up the next morning and went for coffee and
pastries. The early morning outside café
was near a couple of schools, so we got to see the parents taking the young
kids to school and the older kids stopping at the restaurant to meet up and
smoke.
After we checked out, we had to see the Eiffel Tower in the
daytime.
Then we started a trek along the Seine River just to see
what we could see and eventually end up at some museums.
It was definitely worth the walk, even carrying a heavy
backpack. We felt right at home when we
found Mr. Jefferson.
After a rest and a coffee, we finally reached our
destination, the Musee D'Orsay, where we saw a jaw dropping exhibition of
Impressionist art, some of which we recognized from books. Unfortunately, photos of the art were
prohibited, but here a few shots of the outside and interior. I think this is now my favorite art museum.
After a rest and a coffee, we finally reached our
destination, the Musee d’orsee where we saw a jaw-dropping exhibition of
Impressionist art, some of which we recognized from books. Unfortunately, photos of the art were
prohibited, but here a few shots of the outside and interior. I think this is now my favorite art museum.
We had a quick crepe for lunch and crossed the Seine. This bridge is a place where couples can
profess their everlasting love by placing a lock with their names on it. The weight of the locks had actually caused
some damage in places.
The Louvre was closed on Monday which was probably a good thing since
we didn’t have time to tour it. We did
go into the courtyard and enjoy the views and architecture.
Two very tired people made their way to the metro station to get
to the train station for our next stop, Vernon, France. I don’t recommend
trying to see Paris in just 24 hours, but you sure can see a lot in that time. Paris, we loved you.
