Oopsie... ended up in Paris!

 Wednesday, April 29: Paris!

We had planned a stop in Orleans today, but on the way I thought I'd better check on availability for a site in our favourite Paris campground in the Bois de Boulogne. (Sounds a bit rich to have a "favourite campground" in Paris, n'est-ce pas? But we have been here at least three time before.) Turned out to be only available for tonight and tomorrow night. All booked up on the weekend. So we skipped Orleans for now and drove the three hours to Paris.

Arriving about 4 pm we still figured it was time enough to bicycle in the have a first glance. The 25 minute ride was a challenge for Pat... not really physically, she can handle that quite well, but the bikes we have rented have only hub brakes and she finds that unsafe when stopping and starting. Fortunately the campground has a shuttle bus we can use tomorrow.

We strolled up the Seine past a couple of bridges, then settled down onto a little bistro on a barge. Having a share platter of cheeses and jambon was quite affordable rather than a full meal. Then back to the campground by 8:30... again, rather challenging ride, and passing a few rather interesting young women standing on the side of the dark road through the woods awaiting... something?





Speaking of affordable, this campsite is about 55 Euro per day compared to the 0 to 18 we have been paying. But, who can complain... Paris for less that 60 Euro per night!

Thursday, April 30: Paris

Paris in one day? Can we do it justice?I think we did, especilly since we do know our way around, and also didn't do any museums. Seen one Louvre, seen 'em all!

We caught the 9am shuttle bus to near the Arc de Triomphe and then transit bus along the Champs Elysee to Place de la Concorde.



At the Place de la Concorde we came acros an amazing photographic installation based on May 1, workers day. At least 100 large photographs by a sociological photographer depicting groupings of people from employment groups, family groupings, sociological groupings. It must have been a huge project to assemble and photograph such diverse groupings.



This example was particulalrly meaningful... a group of older women friends. And the one on the side is a grouping of ambulance responders.

From there we wandered the length of the Tuilleries gardens toward the Louvre.



And then to the restored Notre Dame Cathedral. After the Bourges Cathedral, Notre Dame was not as spectacular as in the past, and we didn't go in. Amazing reconstruction work though!




A picnic on the riverbank...

And then a stroll through the St Germaine area on the left bank. I spotted this shop but didn't go in, as I worried that I might not get my money's worth!


Mid afternoon we caught a bus across town to the foot of Montmarte district, and hiked on up the cobbled street to the throngs at the markey square. It was a much nicer atmosphere than around Notre Dame... very busy still, but happier and more relaxed kind of crowd enjoying the displays of local artistry, and the many cafes and brasseries, of which we had to partake.







And then past the Basilica de Sacre Coeur overlooking this great city.





Then the Metro and shuttle back to our peaceful little camping spot... and our particular site really is peaceful, alongside a canal, and situated in a stretch at the far end, away from the some 200 camping spots, and probably close to 500 campers!


Off to Orleans tomorrow.































Comments

  1. DoreenMay 1, 2026 at 10:56 PM

    A romantic 56th anniversaire in Paree!. Brought back memories of the sites Wally and I visited when we were there so many years ago. Loved walking up through the French Quarter to Sacre Coeur. It was a Sunday and we quietly snuck into the back of the church during the service. That was my second time (in 3) in Paris. It's a place you can never get tired of visiting. Thanks for the memory.

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