Paris #3 - Fri

Fri 31st Oct 2014

Lucky with the weather again today so off into Paris again on the train. First stop was the Moulin Rouge (bit of a disappointment but we were warned) we couldn't believe the amount of sex shops in the area and after looking in 10 of them we thought we should move on!!!!!!!!!! From there we walked up to Sacre Cœur via Montmartre with its quaint streets and artists. Paid to go in The Crypt (waste of time) and then 300 steps up to the dome. Amazed at the amount of graffiti up the top of the dome! Great views and no queues (not like the Eiffel Tower). These views are still not as good as from St Paul's in London as there aren't as many landmarks to pick out.  Took the Metro to the Latin quarter for a takeaway lunch that we really enjoyed at Notre Dame on the side of The Seine. Had fun seeing how many people we could get to wave to us on the many tourist boats going by (I think David will be in a few Japanese photos as they seemed to love it as much as the kids). Back on the Metro to Galeries Lafayette shopping centre to see the amazing dome building that all the designer shops were in. One whole floor was just for shoes! David just didn't know which pair of boots to pick!!!!!!! Got the Metro back to The Louvre and can came up to see the inverted pyramid. Walked back along The Seine to see the Eiffel Tower lit up again before getting on our train back to Versailles (parts of the train is illustrated with interior rooms of the palace). In the city and on our walk back to the campsite we saw many Halloweeners.  Even though we used the Metro slot today we still seemed to have walked miles! It seems less tiring doing the hikes we did in Switzerland than walking around cities. 

A bike ride around Versailles- Thurs

Thurs 30th Oct 2014

Sun was shinning when we woke and caught up on some washing. Had a lovely skype with Mum and our Jess. Took the bikes out after lunch and rode into the gardens of the Versailles Palace. We went all around the Grand Canal which alone was over 8kms! So we cycled miles! No wonder my bum is sore tonight! Back at Priscilla I cooked chicken and vegetables for dinner then we watched a movie. 

Paris # 2 - Wed

Wed 29 th Oct 2014

Up and out and on the train by 10.30am. Got a 14 Euro ticket each that covered us all day on trains trams and The Metro. Arrived at Notre Dame train station and had a coffee in a lovely café (10 Euro!) walked around the little side streets before going in to Notre Dame. There was a bit of a queue but not much of a wait. It was huge inside and very beautiful. Outside we walked behind for another great view of it. Came across another 'padlock' bridge over the Seine (they seem to be everywhere and must just keep getting heavier and heavier!) we continued to explore the area and came across a film crew making an advert for Toyota cars. There were lots of book and old newspaper stalls along the river and many more stunning buildings. We crossed back over into the Saint Michel area and spent a while deciding which restaurant to eat in as there were so many. The one we picked turned out to be really good and we enjoyed a 3 course meal with wine for 42 Euro. After our meal we walked past The Sorbonne and through some markets which were selling lots of gourmet foods and nice handmade items. Wanted then to make the most of our ticket so got on  the Metro to then pick up a tram thinking we would be able to sit and enjoy the view, but it turned out to be peak hour by now and we had to stand so could not really see much. Got off and then caught our train back to Versailles. Back at Priscilla we watched a few episodes of Shetland on the laptop.