Julie and John’s Excellent Adventure – Part 7 – France - Amiens and the Paris blitz

Amiens Cathedral through the fog

Arrived in Amiens after only 11.5 hours on the train instead of the expected 12. Got a surprise on the train from Mannheim to Paris - apparently the compulsory reservation of 19euros per person gets you an airline style meal with wine and dessert upon arrival! Pity we had just had lunch..........oh well it was free, we had to eat it!

Mum and Dad were up early to go on the Wester Front Battlefields tour that we came to France for - they thouroughly enjoyed it - they ended up with a personalised guide and Dad got to visit where his grandfather fought in World War 1 - successful trip

Went on a bit of a detour for dinner........the restuarant that the guide recommended "just down the road" ended up being a 40 minute walk in the fog and cold after an initial wrong turn.........was good food once we found it..........mum has been banned from directing

Up early with a mission - blitz Paris in 26 hours..........can we do it...........

Julie and John from Trocadero

Arc de Triomph

Checked in at our hotel by 11am, we jump on the metro and head up to Trocadero - best view of the Eiffel Tower in the city. Over to the Arc de Triomph to see the flame of rememberance and a quick walk on the Champs Elysees. I have to laugh when mum sees the top of a tower of the buildings and asks what's that? Ummm the Eiffel Tower mum.............ha ha ha!

Notre Dame

Jardin de Tuiliries

Down to the Latin Quarter for a delicious and cheap Plat de Jour and then across the road to the Notre Dame - such an impressive cathedral and nearly 1000 years old. Unfortunatley it is a cloudy day so we bypass the magic stained glass of Saint Chapelle and walk through the Louvre, past the glass pyramids and into the beautiful Jardin de Tuileries - autumn leaves all around. There is a ferris wheel set up right in front of the 3300 year old Egyptian Obelisk on Place de la Concorde and we find some hot wine with amaretto at the christmas markets along the Champs Elysees.

Obelisk at Place de la Concorde

Time for a Gluhwein at the Champs Elyesees
Christmas markets

Back for a quick nap before dressing up - I haven't worn heels for months (yes I know!) so I decide to crack out the biggest heels I own (which I regret about 20 minutes later after the 100th metro stair. but they look HOT.) and we head to Chartier - the best restaurant in Paris. No bookings allowed and rock bottom prices for amazing french food - we wait in line for about 20 minutes before being whisked in and have a single diner seated at our table. He is quite happy to chat in english with dad - he is a banker in credit - calls himself a "bankster" ha ha. Egg with mayonaise, confit duck, red wine and sensational dessert - vanilla ice cream with a pastry casing and hot chocolate sauce with slices of roast almond........mmmmmmmmmm - less than 20 euros a head with tip. Then to the Moulin Rouge - just as good as the last time - champagne, a girl swimming with boa constrictors, a strong man who supports a girl in all sorts of poses, a million fabulous costumes, the can can - it really is a must

Sacre Couer

A sleep in and up to my favourite part of Paris - Montmarte and the Sacre Couer. Bit of an uphill walk and then the church is right there - along with the entire city of Paris below. Inside the church is beautiful, it has the largest Christ in Majesty mosaic in the world on the ceiling above the alter and it is very impressive to stand inside and take in the feeling of the building. The view is too hazy today for good photos which is a pity, but its a beautiful stroll back down through the steep cobblestoned strees, with all the artists painting and selling their works. We stop for macaroons half way down and then head for the train station. Paris in 26 hours - DONE!