The Arrival
8 1/2 hours flying non stop arriving in France at Charles De Gaulle 8 a.m. local time. We get on a train hoping to find our luggage. A quick train ride and we arrive at another terminal and luckily see a sign that says baggage claim. All of that and a 20 minute line through customs and we are ready to find a taxi. But first, we needed cash (Euros).
money
Everyone had their opinion whether to do this before leaving home or waiting and making the exchange at the airport. The prevailing thought was at the airport. Here’s my 2 cents worth.
Go to your bank, get a minimal amount of Euros-depending upon length of stay and how many there are of you. There was a window where they essentially were giving 85 cents on the dollar at the airport. Nope! The machines weren’t much different. We later found an ATM at a bank which was better but still-those fees and exchange rates! Everyone takes credit cards. For a coffee or up to a meal. If they don’t, move on. We stopped at one kiosk that only accepted cards.
on our way to the apartment
We decided to rent a place rather than a hotel. It was more affordable and got us where we wanted to be in Paris. Lodging in Europe is small. Typically around 175-200 square feet. The apartment allowed us to “spread out”. We got into the apartment and threw the clothes into a closet and headed out. There is nothing close to the airport so expect about an hour ride. Taxis have fixed rates to Paris. Right bank or Left bank so know where you are going.
2 p.m. time to explore (and try to keep moving)
We headed out into what turned into some of our best weather. Sunny and a brisk 50 degrees.
Paris is broken up into arrondisements. Around here we might refer to them as neighborhoods. There are a total of 20. Knowing which arrondissement the varying sites are located will help you navigate this complicated, magical city.
This was our view from our apartment. The 8th arrondissement and around the corner from the Champs-Élysées and “down the road” from the Arc de Triomphe
We began strolling down the street, simply came out of the building and chose a random direction.
Getting lost in Paris is easy. Figuratively and literally.
We walked until we came to the end of one street, looked around noticing a street we hadn’t been on yet and off we would go. This served 2 purposes. It allowed us to acclimate to the city and learn how to navigate. What we didn’t count on was the actual structure of the streets. The roads seemed to be built on top of one another and when they ran out of room they just built and crossed on top of those.
Paris definitely messed with my Rennie’s feng shui. He has a built in compass and with the exception of cruise ships never fails to know which way is N-S-E-W. He said that this would have given Spock a nervous breakdown. LOL
We found the river Seine!
7:30 p.m. local time
We’ve walked for hours got an idea of which way to turn in the morning and grabbed a snack. Time to head back to the apartment to unlax and read for a while.
We each fixed a toddy and toasted our first day in Paris. Looking forward to another 2 days before heading to our next adventure. Our goal for that evening was to stay awake until 9 p.m. to fight off the jet lag.
best laid plans
This had to have looked like a Lucy comedy. Rennie is always trying to feed me. He brings naughty snacks to tempt me into breaking bad. I agreed to one Mint Milano and then he pulled out the Junior mints.
Guys, I tried 3 different times to get that candy to my mouth. I fell asleep each time before I could get it there. I found the piece of candy one of those times down my shirt.
The toddy went into the fridge and we both cried uncle at 7:35. Lights out!
day 2
7 a.m. we head out in the opposite direction in search of coffee and a croissant. One of the places I had read about was somewhere called Montmarte. I had also heard that Paris is relatively flat. I should have realized that with a name that starts with Mont this was not to be so.
We began wandering until we found signs that lead to Montmarte. Up and down alleys. The alleys fascinate me. I had to reign myself in because I kept photographing them. And the doors! All through Paris the apartments have these 20 foot wooden doors. Beautiful!
There are people everywhere in Paris. When you dine you do so beside one another. Walking is a constant stream of people. Montmarte was no different. It is like being in the middle of a state fair without the colorful rides.
As we near the top you come upon more and more quaint shops, open air food stands. While we are trying to navigate to the top I hear music. Just like in the movies. There is an accordion playing La Vie en Rose. I cannot make this up!
I was able to make my way and this is what I found.
Have I used the word magical yet?
We get to the top and find tons of little bistros with thatch and flowered roofs in the courtyard. This is it. A quaint little village that takes you back to all of those movies and scenes you saw as a kid.
We sit. The smell of seafood wafting through the air a constant cacophony of sound and culture overwhelms this girl.
Oh and my first church (but certainly not the last). The churches are works of art in of themselves.
yes, we climbed a mountain for this.
food
I want to talk a bit about this. I have to confess there were no existential moments. That being said I loved the ambiance. There are hundreds of cafe’s on almost every street. As I mentioned earlier the seats are on top of one another. There is a host but that is typically to identify and acknowledge when you sit down. Seats are at a premium.
One meal, or snack if you will did stand out. I had my own Pretty Woman moment.
I love escargot. And what better place than Paris, right? Well go ahead and laugh but I knew I was in trouble when they brought out a tool that resembled an eyelash curler. I whispered to Rennie, “I think they are going to have shells”. I have never had escargot in a shell.
and yes, just like Julia Roberts said in that restaurant scene…they were slippery little suckers. Rennie fielded the first one that went flying across the table. But they were delish!
first impressions
It’s said that first impressions are everything. In Paris this is so true in the food industry. The wait staff approaches you, takes your order (they may or may not deliver it) and then you don’t see them again until you hail them for a check. These guys work like fiends. Everyone is busy, courteous and never stop hussling.
And there is NO tipping. It isn’t expected nor should I say needed? They are paid a decent salary as this is their profession. That first (and usually only) encounter is what you base your decision to return. Oh and the food of course.
Well we’ve walked 8-10 miles today. (yes, really). Tomorrow is our only planned excursion. The Louvre! Today we climbed a mountain, visited lovely parks and gardens. We wined and dined well. Tomorrow’s another day.
day 3
We are off to the Louvre! We have tickets (I strongly suggest using their own site before you leave to purchase these). The lines are long and they adhere to a strict schedule.
It starts by entering a pyramid in the middle of a magnificent square. Outwardly the Louvre covers 15 acres. I could never be considered a connoisseur and definitely not an expert. Most would not call me an art lover. I feel like that would require much more time and knowledge than I possess.
What I am, is in awe of the incredible beauty and history that is housed in this museum. There are rooms, upon rooms. You could probably spend an entire day and never see it all. We spent 3 hours. I never saw the great artists I expected, missed the Venus di Milo but was treated to an array of artwork that no words can really describe.
this is just a taste of one of the hallways
You must remember to always look around, down and most especially up when touring. There are hidden treasures everywhere.
If you are lucky enough to go, be sure to visit this site https://www.louvre.fr/en Here you will find schedules, general information and tickets. They are constantly renovating and closing sections (thus missing Venus). They post this in advance so you can plan accordingly.
lasting impressions of our last day
Before leaving the 1st arrondissement and the Louvre be sure to take the lovely walk through Tuilerries gardens-The Tuileries Garden is a public garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. It is free and a nice ending to that area.
There was one other place I wanted to visit before leaving. We had gone to the Eiffel tower and viewed it from afar. We did not go up. Again, these lines are unending but most importantly, I hate heights!
Montparnasse was said to be an excellent alternative and one not quite as busy. After leaving the Louvre we started out again. Strolling, wandering the streets until we found the general direction. We went up (via elevator) and 18 Euros and was treated to an (enclosed) view of Paris. I saved this photo for here purposely. (you really didn’t think I could talk about Paris without showing you the Eiffel tower did you?)
this was from the top floor of the Monparnasse tower. We were treated to a panoramic view of the city.
Here’s a look at those tricky crazy streets 
au revoir paris-til we meet again
We loved Paris. It is not for the faint of heart nor the physically challenged. Bathrooms are down long, narrow dark steps, underground in most places and the buildings themselves are narrow.
We want to return to France. Provence, Bordeaux. So much to see.
Stay tuned! Next week we will be Grabbing Greece!
For now I am as always,
Sassaleeyours…