We slept in somewhat despite the trains rumbling underneath us every few minutes. It was quarter to tenish when we got up and showered, and descended to the lobby cum dining room for breakfast. Breakfast is included with the room rate and comprised a pot of good coffee, a glass of jus d'orange and a baguette and croissant.
Champ du Mars station was the next destination, which is the stop for Notre Dame. The weather was beautiful, and we took plenty of pictures of the area surrounding the cathedral. We stopped for a coffee, and diet coke for Meredith. Maybe we will try and pack some of our own sodas next time as the cost was 6E for a single diet coke!
Notre Dame
Famous carvings around door
Our Lady
Entrance to Notre Dame was free and we walked slowly round, looking at the areas dedicated to worship of the various saints. Unlike the Basilica, photography is permitted in Notra Dame, though perhaps not for much longer if the widespread flouting on the no flash rule that we saw is typical. Perhaps they could hand out little pieces of black tape for people to stick on their little cameras that they seem unable to control correctly. It was sad to see so many little flashes, "Everytime your flash fires, God kills an angel." might be a good sign to put up. I took some pictures inside, and we bought a Statue of the Virgin for a friend back in Houston.
Interior of Notre Dame
Rose Window
Light playing on stone walls
Stained glass
Stained glass
Stained glass
After walking round the inside of the main cathedral, I took off alone for an hour to walk the 410 stairs up to the top of the left tower. The walk costs 7.50E and is semi-guided in that the guides let you know what to do, but don't actually say anything. The 410 steps were quite a walk, up through twisty spiral staircases, including an involuntary 20 minute stop at the gift store, where I protested by not buying anything. After escaping the gift shop, the next area is the top path along the front of the cathedral. There are spectacular views of Paris available, and another step climb to the top of the right-hand tower.
Gargoyle watching over visitors
Another gargoyle
Collection of gargoyles
In the Notre Dame bell tower
The spiral stair back down to ground level
Another view of Notre Dame
It was time to eat again, and we headed along the banks of Seine (No one had fallen in, so I was unable to shout "You are in-seine!") towards the memorial at St Michel. On the way there was a bang and a very pretty Parisienne leaped out to inspect the damage to the front of her Peugeot. Minor traffic accidents in Paris seem to be common in Paris as most cars bear at least minor dents, and the remonstration between the drivers was good natured and was moderated by a nearby gendarme.
We ate at Fountain St Michel. Food in Paris is a bit pricey, and 20E seems typical for a light meal of coffe, diet coke and a couple of sandwiches. The food generally is very good, and you don't feel quite so bad when your ham sandwich comes with a thick layer of perfectly toasted and strongly flavored cheese. In France, even the simple food is well prepared.
Fountain St Michel
After eating it was back to the hotel for a nap (Meredith) and to download pictures and blogging (me). We are off to the Tour Eiffel next, and plan to head all the way to the top this time.
We took the metro and RER to Champs de Mars and again headed for the tower. Initially it didn't look too promising as there were few people around, as it was *very* cold, but sure enough one of the piers of the Eiffel Tower was open. This will probably sound like fantasy to people who have visited during summer, but there were about 4 people in the line to buy tickets to ascend the tower. Sadly the top level was not open for another two weeks, so we had to make do with the 7.50E ride to the second level. In fact, my pictures of Paris might have been even worse if we had gone to the top. I didn't have a tripod with me, or an F1.0 lens, so I had to make the best of it, with my hands practically losing all feeling.
Eiffel Tower
Not too many visitors
View from Eiffel Tower
View from Eiffel Tower
Looking up to the top, from the second level platform
After making the trip up the Eiffel tower, we took some more pictures and headed to Cafe Iolanda to eat.
Time for the trip back, and we took a different route, heading North instead of East, and stopping at the Chant Elyses to see the Arc d'Triomphe and look at the shops.
By the time our legs were getting tired and Meredith was starting to get very tired of seeing stairs everywhere. Of course, even worse than the actual stairs was the anticipation of stairs, with the coy cast-iron end of a banister peeking out from behind a corner being a license for us both to break into hearty guffaws.
