Giverney

Giverney was Claude Monet's home town. We saw his garden but there was a huge line up for the house so we gave it a miss. The garden in front of the house is just lines and lines of flowers.

Bastile Fireworks

We were able to watch the fireworks from the window of our hotel and avoid the crowds.

Bastile Day 14th July - Military Parade

.We went to the Bastile Day parade today. It turn out to be a hat parade because that is all we could see. We turned up a wee bit late.

Versailles

Today we took the train to Versailles. It is a 45 min train trip.

Below is at the entry gates of Versailles.

Petite Trianon where the paintings of Marie-Antoinette are.

Rod's Birthday up the Eiffel Tower

Rod and I went up to the Eiffel Tower all the way to the summit for his birthday. Champagne at the summit and special treat at the Jules Verne Resturant on level 2 of the Eiffel Tower. This is going to be hard to beat as a romantic dinner.

            

Disneyland Park - Paris

Rod and I had a chance to go our separate ways for the day. He decided to go to Disneyland Park on the outskirts of Paris.

Luxemburg Gardens

 

Luxemburg Gardens were pretty but didn't get a chance to go in. 

Portugal wins the Soccer

So Portugal wins the soccer and disappointed French fans leave the fan zone.

Eiffel Tower

Not long too go, Tuesday 12th July we go up the Eiffel Tower for dinner for Rod's Birthday.

Montmartre

Today we went to meet up with Marcia from the boat at the Sacre Coeur in the Montmartre region.

Behind the Sacre Coeur in the streets there was a market selling paintings, many I had seen walking along the Seine. One of the french men walking the streets sketched my portrait for a price of course.

I wanted my portrait with a hat on.

What is the verdict? Does it look like me ? It has my beauty spot and dimples.

We looked throught the Montemarte Museum. It had a nice garden at the back.
There were pictures of Can-Can girls and a room had been setup as a painters studio.

France beat germany in soccer

France has beaten Germany in the Euro Soccer competition to go into the Finals. France rebels were dancing in the street to celebrate and the Eiffel tower all lite up in Red blue and white. The final is the 10th July between France and Portugal.

Saturday 9th July

Saturday 9th July we went to Marche de Saint-Ouen ( the markets) this is a whole suburb of flea markets it puts our Paddy Markets to shame. There were so antique markets as well were I found some old fashioned french postcards. We walked and walked this day to find the antique section. We found a Napoleon Costume that was 10,000 euros to buy.

We then came back into the City of Paris and walked along the Siene with little stalls selling books, paintings and pictures. Walking along we went past the Lourve to the Tullerie Gardens where there was a Ferris Wheel. Rod and and I went up.

We took the Metro up to the Arc de Triompe and had a look. There were some crazy tourists with young kids, who didn't want to line up below and pay for a ticket. They wanted to cross the roundabout. Around the Arc de Triompe is a 3 - 4 lane roundabout. Just crazy.

Travelling on we went on an afternoon cruise on the River Seine for an hour. Chance to rest our weary legs. Poor Rod is exhausted.

Friday 8th July

Friday 8th July we went to the metro station Cadet and found the Knights Templars and Freemasons museum. Musee de la franc-maconnerie.

I found a needlework shop on the same street Rue de Cadet, which had wools and cross-stitch patterns, books and other habderdashery items.

We then went back into town and went to the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie.
Sainte-Chapelle is a church where King Louis had his christian relics stored before they were installed at Notre Dame. It has medieval stain glass windows that are read from right to left from bottom to top.

I got confused and thought that the Friday 8th was the first friday of the month, silly me. On the first friday of the month they have the veneration of the crown at Notre Dame at 3pm. We waited until 2:30pm before I asked someone and was told it was last friday. Oh well.

The pictures below are of the relics that are stored in the Treasury of Notre Dame. Crosses and vessels for Communion. 

Below is the Bishops mitre.

This is the steps of the Palace of Justice. Still used today as the Courts of Justice.

new adventure around the Eiffel tower

We moved from the Pullman to the Citadines very close to the eiffel tower.

The view from the room looks over the eiffel tower.

Tonight Moulin Rouge

Tonight we are off to see a show at the Moulin Rouge. Rod keeps on telling me it just to see the history of the place.

Walking Tour around the Notre Dame cathederal

This morning we walked around the Notre Dame Cathederal.

The Palace of Justice

Arrived in Paris

We have arrived in Paris and are staying at the Pullman Hotel.

At breakfast we met another couple who will be travelling with Avalon on the Rhine River. They have come from Grafton.

Under the Bridge

This photo is out of order.

With all the rain that has happened in the past couple of weeks and the thunderstorm the night before there was only 2 inches between the bridge and the boat when we transferred from the Rhone River to the Somme River.

TVG Train

Rod has always wanted to ride in a TVG Train since he was a little boy and yesterday was the day. They go so fast when they whizz by. It took an hour and 15mins to get to Paris from the countryside.

There was a conductor on-board who checked our tickets and a couple of fellow passengers when to the bar to get alcohol.

Macon

Sunrise this morning up at 4:30am to watch the sunrise

Perouges

On the way to Perouges we went past private ponds which they use for cultivating duck, fish and frog legs. Not that I want to try frog legs. There were a few plots growing wheat, corn and sunflowers.

 

Perouges is a medieval town with cobble stone streets made from river stones. They have tried to preserve the town since 1903. There is currently a 100 inhabitants living in the town. A festival is held in early June were everyone who attends is asked to dress in costume. Those who attend in costume get free entry.

Lighting in the town is subtle and there is also lighting in the cobble stones.

Behind the little door is the electricity meter.