There are a lot of adjectives you can use to describe Paris. The “City of Lights” is probably the most fitting to set it apart from all the other great cities of the world. Yes, there are other cities that are historical, beautiful, romantic, vibrant, and even confusing, and cold. But it is how Paris transforms itself at night that truly makes this a magical City. No where else have I ever seen people converge on any given night just to see a large metal structure be illuminated. I am speaking, of course, about the Eiffel Tower and the nightly ritual that attracts visitors and locals alike to welcome in each evening. There are couples sharing a bottle of wine, families walking around the plaza and gardens, hordes of tourists taking pictures from every angle, and regular Parisians that go just a bit out of their way on the commute home from work to catch a glimpse of this most iconic structure as it transforms from a dull rust color to a glowing golden beacon for this City. I wasn’t working here, so I only fit into the first three categories.
Arriving in Paris was just like the several other large Cities we had been previously visited. A large rail station packed with people from every walk of life and demographic background; there for any countless number of reasons; usually trying to get past you to go somewhere else. Paris begins to set itself apart as you exit the Metro and gaze over the Seine River with Notre Dame to your right and the Louvre Museum to your left. By waiting to book our accommodations, we had once again lucked out and were able to find a hotel right on the Seine in between these two and at greatly reduced prices. The first day was going to be the walking tour, and we definitely made the rounds. We went to Notre Dame and toured both the inside of the Cathedral and around the perimeter of this magnificent building. The power of the Church and Man’s dedication to his religion never ceases to impress me. We then headed down the river and towards the Louvre. After a lot of discussion, we had decided not to go in because the place can be so overwhelming, and it deserves to be appreciated at a slower pace. We instead walked through the main courtyard, past I.M. Pei’s glass entry pyramids, and out onto the formal gardens that stretch down the Champs Elysees towards the Arc de Triumph. After a well- deserved break for lunch, we walked across the river and directly under the Eiffel Tower. We had hoped to go to the top, but about two thousand other people had the same idea, and we just couldn’t bring ourselves to stand in such a long line. Instead we just meandered underneath it, and then walked down the formal gardens that stretch out towards the south that provide some of the best views.
That night we went to the Latin Quarter in search of a classic fondue dinner. The Latin Quarter is packed with tourist shops, bars, and restaurant offering every kind of cuisine. We found a nice little place on the main walk and feasted on both beef and cheese fondue. The boys had first hoped for fondue dessert but as we were looking for restaurants, we came across a vendor who was making fresh crepes filled with a variety of treats, and they quickly changed their minds. If you look on “Where are the Reeve boys”, you can see them in Crepe Heaven completely enjoying their Nutella and banana treats. They quickly slipped into a food coma and so we dropped them off back at the hotel while Sally and I went out for a nightcap. Strolling hand in hand through the quaint neighborhoods filled with countless cafes will make anyone a romantic and having time to just talk between ourselves is always a treat.
The next day was going to be a bit more of culture but on more of a grand scale. We took the train system out to Versailles to tour the grand palace and massive grounds of King Louis XIV. Even though we got here within an hour of it opening, the place was already packed, and we found ourselves wanting to quickly move through the palace and get out to the grounds for some breathing room. We enjoyed the Palace and its dozens of ornately decorated rooms, but after awhile it all starts to looks the same. Heading out to the grounds, we came across a new offering – Golf Cart Rentals. Check out the pic on “Planes, Trains,…” Yes, you now can rent golf carts and roam around the grounds of Versailles. It comes complete with audio guide and classical music, which turned up all the way up completely embarrassed Mat.
“Dad, everybody is looking at us..”, he said with all the anguish a fifteen year old can express.
I replied in my most regal voice, “Yes son, those are the little people, and we shouldn’t acknowledge them or they begin to feel bad that they have to actually walk around the grounds...”
It was actually very fun, and I did my best not to bring attention to us. Yeah, fat chance.. I found a vendor who sold wine by the bottle, and we were off for an hour of classical history class like I have never had before. I managed to get the golf cart back on time and without damage, and we all enjoyed seeing a lot more of this palatial estate then we would have ever seen just walking. That evening we ventured back down to the Eiffel Tower to watch the sunset and the nightly illumination of this icon. Check out pic on “Sunset of the Day. Mat and Charlie opted out of a formal dinner so we fetched them their new favorite – chicken gyros and let them enjoy a meal in the hotel. Sally and I slipped out to the neighborhood and found a quiet little place to enjoy our last meal in this wonderful city. Paris still has a bit of a “snobby” perception, but the times Sally and I have been here, we have thoroughly enjoyed the City and everyone we have met. The next day we were off early to catch the high speed train through the Chunnel and into London. Looking forward to being in English speaking countries again. Hail to the Queen!
Arriving in Paris was just like the several other large Cities we had been previously visited. A large rail station packed with people from every walk of life and demographic background; there for any countless number of reasons; usually trying to get past you to go somewhere else. Paris begins to set itself apart as you exit the Metro and gaze over the Seine River with Notre Dame to your right and the Louvre Museum to your left. By waiting to book our accommodations, we had once again lucked out and were able to find a hotel right on the Seine in between these two and at greatly reduced prices. The first day was going to be the walking tour, and we definitely made the rounds. We went to Notre Dame and toured both the inside of the Cathedral and around the perimeter of this magnificent building. The power of the Church and Man’s dedication to his religion never ceases to impress me. We then headed down the river and towards the Louvre. After a lot of discussion, we had decided not to go in because the place can be so overwhelming, and it deserves to be appreciated at a slower pace. We instead walked through the main courtyard, past I.M. Pei’s glass entry pyramids, and out onto the formal gardens that stretch down the Champs Elysees towards the Arc de Triumph. After a well- deserved break for lunch, we walked across the river and directly under the Eiffel Tower. We had hoped to go to the top, but about two thousand other people had the same idea, and we just couldn’t bring ourselves to stand in such a long line. Instead we just meandered underneath it, and then walked down the formal gardens that stretch out towards the south that provide some of the best views.
That night we went to the Latin Quarter in search of a classic fondue dinner. The Latin Quarter is packed with tourist shops, bars, and restaurant offering every kind of cuisine. We found a nice little place on the main walk and feasted on both beef and cheese fondue. The boys had first hoped for fondue dessert but as we were looking for restaurants, we came across a vendor who was making fresh crepes filled with a variety of treats, and they quickly changed their minds. If you look on “Where are the Reeve boys”, you can see them in Crepe Heaven completely enjoying their Nutella and banana treats. They quickly slipped into a food coma and so we dropped them off back at the hotel while Sally and I went out for a nightcap. Strolling hand in hand through the quaint neighborhoods filled with countless cafes will make anyone a romantic and having time to just talk between ourselves is always a treat.
The next day was going to be a bit more of culture but on more of a grand scale. We took the train system out to Versailles to tour the grand palace and massive grounds of King Louis XIV. Even though we got here within an hour of it opening, the place was already packed, and we found ourselves wanting to quickly move through the palace and get out to the grounds for some breathing room. We enjoyed the Palace and its dozens of ornately decorated rooms, but after awhile it all starts to looks the same. Heading out to the grounds, we came across a new offering – Golf Cart Rentals. Check out the pic on “Planes, Trains,…” Yes, you now can rent golf carts and roam around the grounds of Versailles. It comes complete with audio guide and classical music, which turned up all the way up completely embarrassed Mat.
“Dad, everybody is looking at us..”, he said with all the anguish a fifteen year old can express.
I replied in my most regal voice, “Yes son, those are the little people, and we shouldn’t acknowledge them or they begin to feel bad that they have to actually walk around the grounds...”
It was actually very fun, and I did my best not to bring attention to us. Yeah, fat chance.. I found a vendor who sold wine by the bottle, and we were off for an hour of classical history class like I have never had before. I managed to get the golf cart back on time and without damage, and we all enjoyed seeing a lot more of this palatial estate then we would have ever seen just walking. That evening we ventured back down to the Eiffel Tower to watch the sunset and the nightly illumination of this icon. Check out pic on “Sunset of the Day. Mat and Charlie opted out of a formal dinner so we fetched them their new favorite – chicken gyros and let them enjoy a meal in the hotel. Sally and I slipped out to the neighborhood and found a quiet little place to enjoy our last meal in this wonderful city. Paris still has a bit of a “snobby” perception, but the times Sally and I have been here, we have thoroughly enjoyed the City and everyone we have met. The next day we were off early to catch the high speed train through the Chunnel and into London. Looking forward to being in English speaking countries again. Hail to the Queen!
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