Au Revoir Paris!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Today I woke up to another beautiful morning, my son wanted to relax so we cancelled going to Sacre Cour. We took it easy, after breakfast we packed our bags and checked out, the hotel stored our bags and we strolled to Notre Dame. There was 20 minutes queue and we entered this magnificent cathedral with stained glass which tells the bible stories and yes it is worth the wait! There was a Sunday service going on at Notre Dame so we sat there for some time. Then we took a very long leisurely walk on The Ile Saint Louis and we continued on the left bank of river seine on the way we stopped for a creamy gelato ice cream served exquisitely with the different selected flavours arranged in the cone. There was big queue for the ice cream, mainly local Parisians so it was a popular place. We later sat on the bench and absorbed the peaceful activity of the river.
Then we walked back to the Latin Quarters. On a Sunday afternoon it was busy with many of the interesting small stores, souvenirs shops open for business, the cafes were humming. We were hungry so we headed for Maoz Vegetarian for falafel, salads and fries; this small place was cheap and cheerful with not the best seating which is in a tiny area with only 2-3 small tables so we took it away to the little park opposite the Notre Dame which is about 5 mins walk. Beauty of this falafel is that you can top on the pitta and falafel, the salads, sauces yourself.
We wanted some respite from the sun; the temperatures were sweltering hot in Paris so we took shelter under the leafy trees and ate our delicious food with beautiful views of Notre Dame. After relaxing for two hours, we had coffee at the riverside café then we went to our hotel and sat there for half hour in the lobby as we still had free wifi. It was time to leave so we set off wending our way to the station for our journey home to London. I thanked my son for the wonderful trip, we had lot of fun. Au revoir Paris!!
Our hotel Relais de Louvre
The hotel is quaint and very well located, we were allocated a nice room on the second floor, facing the Gothic church with gargoyles, Our room was an average size for Central Paris standards, beautifully furnished with bath tub which was important to soak our weary feet. The twin beds were very comfortable, the staff friendly. The hotel is on a small street so although being in the centre it is very quiet with Free wifi, the elevator is tiniest, I have ever seen but then hey it`s Paris. Everything is walking distance, 2 mins to Louvre, plenty of cafés, restaurants along rue de Rivoli, riverside café s, 2 mins from the metro stops of The Pont Neuf and Louvre-Rivoli. The Pont Neuf Bridge across the Seine takes you onto the Left Bank on rue Dauphine in less than 5 mins. This hotel does offer breakfast in your room as there is not enough room for a breakfast area but we opted for the fresh local variety that the several Bakeries in the neighbourhood offered. I would recommend this hotel for a true Parisian experience.
Few Tips
Get the Paris Museum Pass and for 26 years and below the admission is free if you are an EU citizen
Buy a carnet of tickets for the metro which has 10 rides, two people sharing can have 5 rides each.
Get the Bateaux Les Vedette du Pont Neuf tickets, (Seine river boat ride) in advance. There is an on-line discount option. It is good for one year and you are not restricted by the schedule. Get there early for the 10:00pm ride in the summer when it is just about to get dark to see the Eiffel tower twinkle at 10pm. Dress warm as it can get windy.
People were very nice, no rude Parisians like the rumours you might hear.
Other Entries
-
27Room with River View
Nov 121010 days priorBangkok, Thailandphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
28Nonthaburi, Thai Dancers and Malls
Nov 131009 days priorBangkok, Thailandphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 2 -
29Grand Palace " Glitter and Gold "
Nov 141008 days priorBangkok, Thailandphoto_camera13videocam 0comment 4 -
30Visa On Arrival for Cambodia
Nov 151007 days priorPhnom Penh, Cambodiaphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
31Monsoon Rain, Dumplings and Nasty Mozzies
Nov 151007 days priorPhnom Penh, Cambodiaphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 2 -
32Mekong Express, Floating villages-Komplonk Phulk
Nov 171005 days priorSiem Reap, Cambodiaphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 0 -
33Beng Mealea - The Jungle Temple!!
Nov 181004 days priorSiem Reap, Cambodiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
34Temple Pass, Tuk Tuk Hire and Guides
Nov 191003 days priorSiem Reap, Cambodiaphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
35Temples - Tentacles of the Octopus
Nov 191003 days priorSiem Reap, Cambodiaphoto_camera29videocam 0comment 5 -
36Shopped till I dropped !!!
Nov 201002 days priorKuala Lumpur, Malaysiaphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 0 -
37Oasis of Tranquillity
May 12463 days priorRichmond, United Kingdomphoto_camera13videocam 0comment 0 -
38Back to 1066 AD
Jun 15429 days priorHastings, United Kingdomphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 0 -
39Tower of London & Afternoon tea
Apr 27113 days priorLondon, United Kingdomphoto_camera22videocam 0comment 0 -
40Devils Dyke
Jun 1564 days priorBrighton, United Kingdomphoto_camera25videocam 0comment 0 -
41Quintessential England
Jul 2029 days priorCotswolds, United Kingdomphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 0 -
42Oui Paris!!
Aug 162 days priorParis, Francephoto_camera35videocam 0comment 0 -
43Twinkle Twinkle Eiffel Tower
Aug 171 day priorParis, Francephoto_camera30videocam 0comment 0 -
44Au Revoir Paris!
Aug 18Paris, Francephoto_camera14videocam 0comment 0 -
45University and Punting
Aug 279 days laterCambridge, United Kingdomphoto_camera45videocam 0comment 0 -
46Bonjourno!!
Oct 1457 days laterSorrento, Italyphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 0 -
47Bella Capri !!
Oct 1558 days laterCapri, Italyphoto_camera24videocam 0comment 0 -
48Amalfi Coast by Boat
Oct 1659 days laterPositano, Italyphoto_camera37videocam 0comment 0 -
49Spectacular Coastline
Oct 1760 days laterAmalfi / Ravello, Italyphoto_camera14videocam 0comment 0 -
50Ciao Pompeii
Oct 1861 days laterPompei, Italyphoto_camera47videocam 0comment 0 -
51It feels like Christmas
Dec 16120 days laterRiga, Latviaphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 0 -
52Santa`s Fun Run
Dec 17121 days laterRiga, Latviaphoto_camera16videocam 1comment 0 -
53Medieval Walled City
Dec 18122 days laterTallinn, Estoniaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 3 -
54Enchanting
Dec 19123 days laterTallinn, Estoniaphoto_camera24videocam 0comment 0 -
55My Solo "Around the World Trip" !!
Feb 18184 days laterLondon, United Kingdomphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
56Sunny California
Feb 19185 days laterLos Angeles, United Statesphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
57Danish Village
Feb 20186 days laterSanta Barbara / Solvang, United Statesphoto_camera13videocam 0comment 0 -
58The Iconic Golden Bridge
Feb 21187 days laterSan Francisco, United Statesphoto_camera32videocam 0comment 0 -
59Awesome Yosemite Park !!!
Feb 22188 days laterYosemite National Park, United Statesphoto_camera28videocam 1comment 0 -
60Sun, Surf & Fame
Feb 23189 days laterLos Angeles, United Statesphoto_camera28videocam 0comment 0 -
61Kio Ora
Feb 25191 days laterAuckland, New Zealandphoto_camera29videocam 0comment 0 -
62Thermal Wonderland
Feb 26192 days laterRotorua, New Zealandphoto_camera32videocam 0comment 0
2025-05-22