HEAT WAVE IN FRANCE!

Sunday, 5 August 2018

Golden Tulip Hotel/CDG (http://www.goldentulipcdgvillepinte.com/)

Paris, France (Roissy)

95F, sunny

Come with us on a day in Paris. First, we learned a new word this morning on the news, la canicule—heat wave! It is about 93 to 95F today, but tolerable because the humidity is low and there was a nice breeze. I am so grateful that Tim has a great sense of direction—he found a better way to get to Paris on the RER (stands for Réseau Express Régional, the suburban commuter/rapid transit system) from the CDG airport. We did not even need to take the Metro—the RER delivered us to the area of the Louvre/Notre Dame Cathedrale.

After my research, we determined that the Big Bus was just as easy as and more reasonably priced than anything else. For 90 euros total, we got a two day pass on both of their hop on hop off lines as well as an hour boat ride on the Seine. We definitely recommend this way of getting a great overview of Paris, with stops at all of the most popular sites.  

Near the Eiffel Tower we boarded their boat for a one hour guided ride on the Seine River. This was something Tim especially wanted to do, and we enjoyed Paris from a new perspective.

This is the same as the boat we were on

Cathedrale de Notre Dame 

Tim and the Eiffel Tower

Closeup of Eiffel Tower

I especially liked this view of the Eiffel Tower. 

I need to hold my camera straight!

We resumed our bus ride and took the other route to the Montmartre area.  

A ferris wheel in Paris!

The Vendome Column was commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate his victory at Austerlitz. Made of stone, it is covered in bronze, made from the cannons captured from the enemy at the Battle of Austerlitz. Who was the enemy (1805-1811)? The Battle of the Three Emperors—Naploeon vs. the Russian Tsar Alexander I and the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II.  

Close up of Vendome Column

I guess "To the victor belongs the spoils," as said by New York Senator William L. Marcy, referring to the victory of Andrew Jackson in the election of 1828.

Moulin Rouge-the famous caberet in Paris-best known as the birthplace

 of the modern form of the can-can dance

This is where we had dinner-fabulous and fries. We won't be getting 

creative with French food this trip.

TK’s Takes: He noticed many, many men with a “Man Purse.” He is becoming especially attached to his. Note to Janie’s brother Bill: There was pure maple syrup available for pancakes at the breakfast this morning. Tomorrow we will determine its origin.