there are 400km between lyon and paris - 2 hours by bullet train
a very fast trip in a train offering the essential luxuries - 240v and coffee
going station to station in the heart of each city making air travel redundant
unfortunately in this case the time to get settled into the hotel almost as long
we battle with false directions, false assumptions and ambivalent taxi drivers
it's a relief to finally get into our hotel room in the south eastern area of daumesnil
no time to dwell - we want to get to versailles - the receptionist consulted for directions
oops - we meant chateau versailles not port versailles - a waste of tram time to find out
the day disappearing so change of plans and onto the metro to get into mid city
galeries lafayette is the second most popular tourist spot in paris after the louvre
we find this out afterwards - 100,000 plus a day visit it so it's crawling with people
moving on - let's walk to the arc de triomphe and stroll down champ d'elysee
crikey - people everywhere - the champ is flooded - not the way we remember
friday evening possibly though it does seem to be mainly tourists like us
we fight our way to the arc and take the mandatory photos and consider options
a bike/carriage is on offer - negotiate a deal and then head down the avenue
our turkish driver obviously decides the agreed price means a reduced ride
he deposits us well short of our agreed target of the louvre so a walk is on
a 15 minute wander in the late afternoon sun and more throngs of people
by now the anticipated aura of paris has all but disappeared - try again
the latin quarter for dinner - that has always been a favourite area
but again - people/tourists everywhere and looking kind of tired
restaurants full/overflowing but not much enticing about them
we go around in circles trying to get the missing mojo back
but it's not happening - we put it down to our own tiredness
so disappear into the metro and head to home base for dinner
an ok meal at a restaurant in the daumesnil area near our hotel
saturday morning is a later start than intended but verailles is on
metro/train/walk to the chateau to be confronted with a huge queue
snaking for an estimated kilometre - but - we are here so we join up
it's all good humoured in the summer sun so the hour goes quite quickly
upon entry it takes about 10 seconds to realise the wait was all worthwhile
we've seen some amazing palaces on this trip but this one seems to top them
high ceilings, exquisite artwork, marble construction, incredible attention to detail
each room entered is unique in some way and the audio guide is well appreciated
fortunately the large crowds and the slow pace provides the time to observe
the hall of mirrors is stunning but the best room of all the is huge portrait gallery
130 metres long and 30 meters wide - the 2 walls of paintings similarly huge
containing a chronological account of the history of france in oil paintings
that alone was worth the time/price of entry - could have spent all day there
unlike the number of people observed busy snapping endless digital photos
looking at the results of that more than the magnificent paintings themselves
presumably gathering evidence for the been-there-done-that catalogue
we take a welcome lunch in the fine (priced) cafe within the chateau
then head outside for a wander in the sprawling chateau gardens
the yard goes on forever - marie antoinettes playground apparantly
a collection of rectangular shaped tall garden areas like a maze
pathways leading through each one to a unique central feature
various water features and/or statues the most common
1 large feature hosting a music syncronised water jet display
2 hours of wandering had a cost so a nap by the canal enjoyed
then the decision to head back to paris for our final night in europe
we emerge from the metro at sacre coeur - uh-oh - more crowds
the wristband sellers more aggressive than usual with full hands on
a climb to the top and a gentle wander around the cathedral well enjoyed
dinner time - the want to make it a special one on this special night
we search for a while then aux trois petits cochons (3 little pigs) appeals
then enjoy a superb french meal including real-deal champagne and wine
a wonderful setting to talk over a great trip and exciting future plans
noting that numerology and today's date provide our lucky number
we know we are already very lucky - so decide to push further
moulin rouge nearby so a wander in that area also enjoyed
we try and squeeze in a visit to the eiffel tower this night
but the rail system and red wine conspires against us
so that visit is made on sunday morning
brunch enjoyed in a nearby cafe
and then (sniff) to the airport
in a peugeot 508 taxi (thanks)
au revoir paris and europe
it has been outstanding...
