Best of Burgundy Day 13
Best of Burgundy
DAY 13 – 10-01-05 – Saturday – Subway/Musee d’Orsay/Eiffel Tower/Evening Seine River Cruise - Paris
We met Eduardo, Ciça, and Pedro for breakfast at 8:30. I had gone down a little earlier to upload the journal from the previous day. Right after breakfast we were off to the Musee d'Orsay. We walked across the Seine River, purchased a 24 hour pass for the underground metro and then caught one that took us right to the front door of the museum.
We arrived at d'Orsay, an old train station that had been magnificently restored and converted to a museum dedicated to art of the 1800's. We got off of the subway at 10:15 and had to wait in line for a short time as they had just opened at 10. We spent hours marveling at the paintings, sculptures, and other works of art by artists like Degas, Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Rodin. We were able to take photos in the museum as long as we did not use flash. The building was airy and bright, and the art work was very well displayed and available.
About 1:30 we all agreed that there was more to see but we were on art overload and need some sustenance. We found a café close to the museum and just across the bridge from Louvre. This was probably an economic error as it was quite expensive, even for Paris, but food was good and the service was excellent.
Our next adventure was getting back on the Metro and going just a few stops on the same line to Eiffel Tower. What a treat to see this historic icon! We stood in line for 45 minutes to get tickets and finally it was our turn to board the elevator. We got off on the 2nd Stage and looked over the city from all vantage points. The top stage was open once again so we decided as long as we had come all this way we wanted to go to the very top. It was another 30 minutes in a new line and then another crowded elevator for the steep ascent to the top of Paris. We walked around the outside platform and found the wind and cold were harsh but it was worth it to say we had been to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
As it was 5:30 when we arrived back at the bottom, we decided to take the Metro back to our hotel. We tried a new route making several connections and transfers to try to save a few steps. With the Paris Metro one has to walk some distance in the same terminal to go from Line A to B. We arrived back at the Gare de Lyon and walked around several blocks to find restaurants, see their menus, and just get a feeling for the area.
At 7:30 we were joined by Ana and Richard and we went to an Italian Restaurant close to the hotel. The meal was quite good and the prices were reasonable. Once we were finished we got our jackets and cameras and walked once again to the Metro. We took it to the Eiffel stop and as we walked out of the tunnel, there was the Tower in full lights. We walked to the Seine River, purchased tickets and waited for the Evening River Cruise. We finally boarded at 10:45 and sat on the top deck where we got a clear view of the city and the nightlife. We went under 22 of 36 bridges of Paris. We saw the sights, the hundreds, maybe thousands of people, enjoying the night by the River. When we went by the Latin Quarter and Sorbonne, young people were listening to impromptu musical groups, doing juggling acts, and just hanging out. Ah, to be young again and not have a care in the world. When the boat began its return voyage, Gennie and I went below to get away from the cold and wind.
We were back at the dock by 11:35 and we then walked back to the Metro and with connections returned home. This time we had an experience. IT WAS RUSH HOUR! Everyone was getting on the subway, going home. The cars were so full, that not everyone could enter as the doors would not close. When we finally returned to Gare de Lyon it was close to 12:30 and we saw so many people out, enjoying the City of Lights.
One final thought that struck me today. As we saw the city, in museums, at the Eiffel Tower, metro cars and platforms, if fact, everywhere, was the public display of affection. Couples kiss, nuzzle, and hold each other in amorous embraces. It did not matter their ages, they showed their feelings to each other and those around them. In a sense this was quite refreshing.
Accommodations: Hotel Terminus Lyon - - - Meals: B
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