Drove back into Paris on the 31 December to spend a few relaxing days. New Years Eve was a quiet dinner at a restaurant in St Germaine Julie and I found on a previous trip to Paris. It was just as we remembered it - small, quiet, friendly staff and good food.
Having been to Paris previously meant we didn't have rush around trying to see the sights . The only thing on our agenda was to see the Paris Catacombs. A bit of research indicated we could get to it directly on the metro line which passed close to our hotel. We tried twice to see them and failed both times. First time was on New Years Day - closed, even though the website indicated it would be open. There were a number of people there who were also under the impression it would be open. Grabbed some lunch at a nearby restaurant and then went over to the Avenue Champs-Elysées for a stroll and a wine or two. No matter how many times we visit the worlds most famous boulevard we still marvel at its grandeur (and pomposity, and trashiness, and absolute touristiness).
Tried the next day to see the catacombs - too many people lined up. Looked like a wait of about an hour or more. We don't do queues so had a coffee and kebab instead and headed off to Saint Germain to spend the day exploring one of our favourite parts of Paris, and participating in what we consider to be the French national pastime - sitting at a cafe sipping coffee and wine and watching the world go by. Maybe we'll get to see the catacombs next time,
Dropping Sam off at the airport today so he can fly back to Frankfurt to fly back home. Julie and I are heading off to Rouen for a couple of days before we come back to Paris to finish our trip.