Paris

Arrived into Paris around 7am. Cleared customs etc, all too easy and no paperwork, at all. Surprising …

Onto the RER, which also was all very easy, although not cheap, 35 Euro or so to get into Paris, and a change at Notre Dame to get onto line 10, for us to get off at Cardinal Limoine. Finally, a short walk to the apartment. Despite having 5, reasonably heavy, bags it was still pretty easy and arrived at 10am, met by mother-in-law, Mamou, whom we’re travelling with for the next couple of weeks.

A shower, quick bite to eat, and then wanting to get properly onto local time, we headed out! Short walk down the hill to a local market, and ATM, and then onto the Seine where we jumped on the Batobus, a tourist boat with 8 stops around the Seine. Yes, well and truly in tourist mode! $16 euro.

First stop, The Louvre. Just as big as I remember, and as many people! We didn’t go in, we’ll save it for another day, but had a stroll around and found the “pigeon man”, pigeons swarming everywhere and he coaxes them onto your arm, hand, head, whatever! Adam and Hannah loved it.

Back in the boat and down to the Arc De Triuomph. Quite a walk to get there, and poor Hannah was fading, but we finally made it and Hannah surprisingly perked up when we suggested a walk to the top. Around 286 stairs later she was quite perked up, and having fun. And what a fabulous view of the surrounding area. Down and then onto the metro down to the Eiffel Tower to have a look. Impressive, and busy!

And then back onto the boat to complete the rest of the journey, home around 6pm, kids well and truly buggered. Lovely casual dibber in the apartment, wine, cheese, salamis, pate, and then bed.

Tired!