Paris Post-Trip Day 2
Paris Post-Trip
Day 2 - Tuesday, April 23, 2012 – Morning on our own; Afternoon Optional to Versailles and its Gardens
After our wonderful walk last night we slept well and then had breakfast with several of the Paris Eleven. We set off for an exploratory adventure on the Metro.
We bought the ten-ticket package because we will be here for three days and will rely on public transportation. Our destination this morning was Gare de Lyon, another huge train station in the east central section of Paris.
On Thursday we will be on our own and we have to get to Gare de Lyon to take the train to Cannes. We wanted to do a practice run on the Metro and get to know the stops and connections we will have to make.
Gare de Lyon is still as enormous as we remembered but we found our way easily; Marvin would be proud of us! When we were in Paris in 2005 with our son we stayed at a wonderful hotel near the train station. We found the hotel and walked around the old neighborhood.
Getting back on the metro, we went to our hotel. Thomas had given us suggestions for self-service Laundromats a few blocks from our hotel so we walked to the closest one to look it over. The woman there was very helpful and explained the costs and procedures. We will go back there in the morning.
At noon we gathered our belongings and took off again on the Metro. We shared a light sandwich and then walked to the France Tourisme Office where we were to meet for the optional tour to Versailles.
Cecilia, our guide, welcomed us and we were on our way to the Palace of Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette about 20 KM southwest of Paris. We began our visit and followed the thousands of people who were already touring the palace.
We saw the King’s ornate chapel; the various rooms all lavishly decorated, the bedrooms, the Hall of Mirrors, and then went out to the gardens.
There were many beautiful beds of tulips, daffodils, and pansies blooming, but the main gardens were being planted for the summer. The fountains were being repaired and readied for the season so they were not working yet.
We met at the bus park at 5:00 and drove back to the city. Traffic was not too bad and we arrived at the Tourist Office at about 6:00.
Back at the hotel, we began sorting photos and typing the journal. At 8:00 we went out again for dinner and had France’s famous crepes – cheese, ham and mushrooms.
It was such a beautiful spring evening we rode the subway to the Eiffel Tower to take a few more pictures of the lights of Paris. The temperature was 64° and the humidity was 52%.
Ahhhh, Evening in Paris!
Accommodations: Hotel Mercure Montparnasse - - - Meal: B - - Rating: A-
Go Ahead Tours: Amsterdam, Luxembourg & Brussels and Paris Post-Trip
Comments
Marvin is very proud of your getting around on the Metro. It is a great system and pretty easy to navigate, if you know what direction you are going on.
Post a Comment!Did you make it out to Marie's Hamlet? I remember renting un velo and peddling out there, not believing my eyes. The gardens were so pretty.
Paris Metro
Chandelier - Versailles
Hall of Mirrors Visitors
Spring Flowers
Formal Gardens
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