We’re in Paris!

This morning the new French president, Hollande, was inducted in Paris. Even though I’m not political at all, it was kind of neat to know that we would be visiting the sites involved for this political changeover the same day that they were to happen. I found out all this as I searched out the weather report on tv. Too bad that I got more about Hollande than I did about the weather, which they said would have a chance (note: chance) of rain and that it would be “fraiche“.

Because our hotel doesn’t have internet, we found a café just around the corner with free wi-fi. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any breakfast food, but that was later resolved with a quick trip to the boulangerie across the street (the best quiche, ever, and a yummy baguette sandwich, both for next to nothing). The internet signal was really slow, so we were off to a slow start, but in due time, we were off via Metro to the Eiffel Tower. The Metro is super easy and super fact and really very inexpensive–I wish we had this in Vancouver!

Though we had already seen the Eiffel Tower from afar the night before, it’s still impressive up close, mostly because it’s so iconic! On our way toward it, we realized that we should have brought our umbrellas. Too late. Not wanting to get stopped by the rain, I bought a €8 “Paris” umbrella at a souvenir stand. That lasted all of about 5 minutes as the wind picked up and absolutely destroyed it. The rain was pelting down, tearing down in sideways sheets. We ran to a little food stand that had a small awning, under which were crowded a small groups of people already. Every time we thought the rain would let up a bit, again, down it would come. After about 20 minutes, we took a chance and ran back to the souvenir stand where the guy easily allowed us to exchange the broken umbrella (now more appropriately called a stick) for 2 rain ponchos. Even had we made the time to go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the lineup was massive as only one of the elevators–rather than the usual 4–was working.

Before the downpour, a long long lineup to go up

Our next iconic stop was the Arc du Trimphe. Now the weather problem was that the wind brought us more “freezing”, rather than “fraiche”. Our stops at each location became brief, partly because of the cold, wind, and on again off again rain,  partly becuase of us knowing our time in Paris is limited and there is so much we want to see!

A bit of shopping and watching street dancers along the Champs Élysées toward the Concorde. Past some political buildings lined with police vehicles and officers because of the inauguration. Everywhere we looked there was something to see. I don’t even know what a lot of the buildings are.

We did, of course, know when we arrived at the Louvres. I had forgotten how HUGE it is! Sadly, it’s closed on Tuesdays! I knew that getting through it would be a challenge, but I had hoped we could at least have a short visit inside. Oh well, another reason to return someday again to France.

While looking for a place to warm up, we fluked on choosing a little café that was apparently the “headquarters of the musketeers”. I don’t know if there’s any truth in that, but by the height of the bathroom door (even I bumped my head), I’d more likely believe it was the HQ of the mouseketeers! Once again, though, I have to say that any rudeness that we had been warned of with Parisians seems to hold false for us. The people there were super nice and friendly and helpful in pointing us in the right direction to get to Nôtre Dame.

We walked a lot that day!

Oddly, on the grounds of the Nôtre Dame, there were booths being disassembled for a “Fête du Pain” that had been held there. Sad to miss that! We are still on our accumulation diet, so I would have indulged, for sure.

A sermon with a woman singing was going on when we entered Nôtre Dame. Beautiful! This building is perfectly set for sound.

Not sure why he’s holding his decapitated head!

A short stop back at our hotel so we could warm up a bit and put on our rainproof winter coats–now we’re really glad we brought them! Then off walking to see the Moulin Rouge. The walk was only about 10-15 minutes to get there, past a spooky cemetery beside the bridge we crossed. We took our Moulin Rouge pictures, wandered around a bit, but then decided to get a good night’s sleep.

Tiny car

Though it took just a short walk to get there, we got lost on our trip home. Badly lost. Sean is no longer allowed to lead with directions, “I’m positive we’re going the right way. Let’s just walk to that light up there and see.” We’d reach the light, and he’d repeat the same line. Though, truthfully, I could do no better. Finally, as we stood on a corner looking for the street signs, a woman stopped and asked if she could help us. Rude? Unfriendly? Snobbish? I don’t think so! And then we were back at the hotel. Phew!

Finally! There’s our hotel.