Metro by taking one of the express commuter trains to the first stop near our hotel then take a cab from there. The RER was a cinch,
but when we found that the cab line wait was at least 45 minutes in the rain, we decided that a crash course on the Paris Metro
(subway) system was in order.
Bob waited in line to find out if they had a visitor's pass but when presented with multiple options for about 70 euros each, we
decided to wait. We've learned to avoid decisions whenever possible immediately after an overseas flight. As I was trying to
decipher the ticket machine a "gentleman" offered to help. He made it look as if he were purchasing passes and the amount was
69,5 euro for two. It seemed. It also appeared that he purchased the passes himself with a credit card. As Bob gave him 70 euro, I
looked at the tickets and realized that we had been scammed. "Hey, Mister! Not a small town hick here! We got a subway in
Chicago!" But he had already headed down to catch a train.
Deciding that that 60 euro cab ride was looking cheap, we were quickly approached by a woman who identified herself as a
policewoman and asked if we had given "that man" money for Metro tickets. Yes, we did. She identified him as a scam artist and
would we come with them to the police station and file a report? I asked for identification since they were all in civies and I've heard
stories. As I was struggling to read her French ID, she said "I'm really police. Look. I have a gun. Will you come with us?" We did
and as we followed this group through the very large Gard de Nord station, I'm thinking, "Grand. We are now going off with a group
of people with guns." They really were the police. We filled out a report and the crook opted to give us the money back. So we left to
get on our Metro and the sun was shining and our hotel was easy to find and life was good.
"interesting" section of town, the Montmartre area. We quickly unpacked
and dressed to explore. As we walked toward Sacre Coeur, the streets
turned hilly and cobblestoned and not at all like urban Paris. We also
found the original Moulin Rouge, called the Moulin de la Galette. It isn't
Rouge any more.
visited a few years ago. Then we enjoyed dinner and an early night's rest.
clerk seemed to treat as void. Shrugging that off, we headed out to see the obvious, ultimate Paris Symbol, the Eiffel Tower. Too
many lines to go to the top, so we just enjoyed the weather and walked/Metroed our way to Les Invalides where Napolean is buried.
The audio guide was exceptional. We enjoyed the parks and the open spaces as much as the Parisians after three weeks of rain.
enjoyed the sun and spring flowers.
On the left is the famous Place du Tertre
known for its artists painting en plein air.
there we walked the Champs-Élysées, which was somewhat disappointing as a shopping mecca, and saw the Arc de Triomphe.
Lots of traffic and crowds! We also toured the Musée National du Moyen Âge where we saw the famous "Lady and the Unicorn"
tapestry as well as the ruins of Roman baths.
looking from inside the
Musee d'Orsay to
outside. The white
church may be Sacre
Coeur.
Market and other markets found in
our Paris Walks book, including the
Latin Quarter and the Sorbonne.
Tuesday was the beautiful Musée
d'Orsay where the real show is the
building, the former Orsay railway
station. A great collection of French
impressionists. The clocks are still
in place and a fascinating site.
and Winged Victory of Samothrace. The wing with the Dutch artists was closed, but I did enjoy Napolean's apartments. After the
Louvre, we enjoyed Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. Finally, we walked back by way of Sacré Coeur at the top of Montmartre.
left, Sacre Coeur (some call it the "Wedding Cake"). Above left,
the Louvre, with I.M.Pei's modern pyramid addition.
