Paris

London to Paris is a 6 hour journey. We drove to Folkestone, where we boarded the Eurostar, a super-fast train that crosses the English Channel under it. The train has airtight compartments, each of which can hold a coach, truck, cars, and so on, so our coach had a compartment to itself. The train then moves underwater and enters the Chunnel, a tunnel that runs under the Channel. Our train had 3 empty compartments, so we got off the coach and walked around in the train during the journey.

Eurostar train (under the English Channel)

It takes 35 minutes to Calais, a French port. The journey was smooth, at times our ears seemed blocked because of the pressure of the water above us. The coach then left the train and drove through the French countryside, which has pretty huts, churches and lots of mustard fields. Lunch was at a petrol pump, a big place with a shop for eatables and souvenirs. Public washrooms (WC) were mostly free and extremely well-maintained.

French countryside

We reached Paris in the evening. It was pleasantly cool at 20 degrees. As we had some time free, we took a cruise on the River Seine. It was a 75 minute cruise and very windy in the boat. The cruise passes through the Latin Quarter and goes up to the Notre Dame Cathedral. There are beautiful tree lined sidewalks and gardens along the river, making Paris the most romantic city in Europe. The place has an artistic aura about it, sure to influence painters and writers.

Pont Alexandre III, over River Seine

Taken during the Seine cruise

The Notre Dame Cathedral is a gothic monument situated on an island in the middle of the river and the cruise goes around the island. There are several ornate buildings along the river, mostly used by the government. 37 bridges span across the river, the most famous of them being the Pont Alexandre III, a beautiful grey bridge with gold plated statues atop it. The French are friendly people, waving to you from over bridges and the river bank as the boat passes by. The cruise ends with a close view of Eiffel Tower, which can be seen far and wide across the city, due to the few skyscrapers.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Eiffel Tower seen from the River Seine cruise

Paris has broad footpaths, almost as wide as the roads themselves. There are neat little gardens and flower displays in every balcony and on some pavements. The roads are narrow in most parts of the city, causing traffic jams. At night, we drove to Meudon on the outskirts of Paris, where we stayed at the hotel Forest Hill. Our room was small and extremely cosy, decorated in shades of maroon and golden. Sunset was at 10 and the soft beds and blankets ensured a good sleep.

I woke up to a late sunrise (6.30 am) the next day. We met our local guide, Olivier, who took us on a local sightseeing tour. It started with Arc de Triomphe, a monument situated in the crowded Place Charles de Gaulle and dedicated to French warriors killed in the Revolution and fighting for Napolean. The Arc also marks the western end of the famed Avenue des Champs-Élysées, a wide and busy thoroughfare. The Avenue is famous for its expensive shops, cafes and theatres. The trees are manicured giving the street a stunningly beautiful look, sure to amaze first time visitors!

Arc de Triomphe

Footpath next to Champs-Élysées

Avenue des Champs-Élysées

The coach took us through inner streets to the Presidential Palace, heavily guarded as the elections had just concluded and the old President, Sarkozy was in the process of moving out while Hollande had moved in. Men in cavalry and several official cars bearing visitors saying their farewell were around. The drive took us to Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris, with the Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt and magnificent black and gold plated statues and fountains. This was the place where the royalty was guillotined during the French revolution and we spent a while there, overwhelmed by the immense history around us.

Presidential Palace

Fountain at the Place de la Concorde

A column at the Place de la Concorde

Bikers in black jackets and helmets and riding fancy bikes are common in Paris. We drove around the city, but walking around is awesome to get a feel of the art, romance and history that lives in it! The roads are resplendent with old fashioned street lamps, and the apartments have pretty flowers blossoming in their tiny balconies. The buildings are built in an ornate style and are a delight to watch, for even the most common apartment building looks grand!

Les Invalides (a military museum), L'Academie Nationale de Musique, Opera have marvelous architecture. The trees are clipped, giving the place a neat, beautiful look. A drive around the Latin quarter, one of the most famous and prettiest localities, was followed by lunch at an Indian restaurant.

Les Invalides

Opera

We visited a local perfume museum next, Fragonard. The perfumes are made in the Fragonard Gardens at Grasse in the south of France. There was a basic explanation of perfumes, their kinds, notes and making process. Fragonard perfumes are mostly floral (the French love the flower violet) and fresh and should surely be purchased by the perfume lover. Though they are somewhat expensive, there are good combo offers.

The last event of the day was what most people had been looking forward to, a climb of the Eiffel Tower. We took the lift to the second level (after standing in the long queues and trying to ignore the gypsy girls asking "Do you speak English"). There was a wonderful view of the Parisian city on either side of the Seine, along with the gardens of the Eiffel. The tower is made of iron and may look ordinary during the day, but its real beauty comes out at night, when it is lit up, in gold and silver. At midnight, the lights flash in different colors, and the tower sparkles - a sight not to be missed!

View from Eiffel Tower

View from Eiffel Tower