After a very long, loud, 7 hour flight from Toronto, we arrived in Paris at Charles De Gaulle. This is probably one of the most poorly organized airports I have visited. We were let out on the tarmac, and had to wait on the stairs of the plane before a shuttle arrived to carry the mass of passengers to the actual terminal. We were then shuttled to Terminal 3, a tiny 'room', with two doors of which to enter, where we had to wait on the bus again before entering, as the 'room' was too full. We joined the line for non-resident passports, and hopefully awaited our turn, next to the sign that said "8 minutes wait from this point." Much to our dismay, and at least 40 minutes later, we made it to the security desk, where a very happy and polite guard, stamped our passports and welcomed us to France. Not all terrible.
We thought after the long wait, our bags for sure would be ready. Not the case. There were three poorly marked baggage conveyor belt thingys (the correct words have left me so I am going with 'thingys'), but they were shooting out luggage from 4 different flights. Ours was on the same belt as a flight from Iceland and both bags had not been unloaded. We sent them through Oversized Luggage because of the straps on Shay's backpack, but in France, everything comes out together. Needless to say, they came out eventually, and next to the family of vomiting children, we were the last to leave the terminal.
Signs for "Paris par train" are very easy to follow and find. There are no cobble stones here, just smooth pavement paths. We were lucky it wasn't raining because all of the paths to trains and buses and subways are outside. Paris is easily accessible with rolling luggage (Mom and dad, bring your rolling suitcases!) We figured out how to buy tickets, and went down to the platform to find trains heading into Paris Centre. We switched lines at Gare Du Nord. From here we had to walk upstairs and follow signs for line 2 at La Chapelle street. These are very well laid out once you get upstairs. Line 2 is great. The stops flash as you approach on the overhead map, and they are lit up until they have been reached. Extremely easy to follow along. You need to remember on all of these trains, that you have to open the doors yourself to get off, and sometimes even to get on. Saw some near misses!
Elena's flat was not far from Caronnes station in the Republique (11 arr.), right next to Le Marais, and north of Bastille. Walking distance from everywhere! (As Elena so kindly pointed out). We found her flat with some assistance of the friendly bakery shop owner who directed us down a cobblestone pathway. Up the number 1 stairwell, through a door we had the code to, and up 4 flights of curly stairs where we were greeted with cold beverages and warm kisses.
Elena had a city map waiting for us, with all the sites highlighted, and even offered suggestions for things to do, and how to get around. We were very grateful for her hospitality as we fought to keep our eyes open! Here are the views from our window in all directions.
Happy hour is from 5-8, and drinks are half price! Patios are packed as everyone takes advantage of this after a long day at work. People don't go home early on a Wednesday night.
Wi-fi in the city isn't great. At the apartment it's amazing, faster then what we have at home, and the long distance is free. We made it our mission to have everything planned and uploaded to our Paris map before leaving. The offline Paris map App is a must. Ulmon makes a free version for a variety of cities, and it allows you to look up points of interest, as well as plot your own on a map, and call it up without internet. Very handy!
After happy hour in the Bastille, and some dinner, we headed home. No walk home is complete without a stop at the market and bakery. It cost only 4 euros for 1.5 litres of water and a bottle of wine! We are going to gain so much weight on this trip.
After finally putting our feet up, it wasn't long before being up for 48 hours straight caught up with us. We'll need our rest for a busy day tomorrow!
We thought after the long wait, our bags for sure would be ready. Not the case. There were three poorly marked baggage conveyor belt thingys (the correct words have left me so I am going with 'thingys'), but they were shooting out luggage from 4 different flights. Ours was on the same belt as a flight from Iceland and both bags had not been unloaded. We sent them through Oversized Luggage because of the straps on Shay's backpack, but in France, everything comes out together. Needless to say, they came out eventually, and next to the family of vomiting children, we were the last to leave the terminal.
Signs for "Paris par train" are very easy to follow and find. There are no cobble stones here, just smooth pavement paths. We were lucky it wasn't raining because all of the paths to trains and buses and subways are outside. Paris is easily accessible with rolling luggage (Mom and dad, bring your rolling suitcases!) We figured out how to buy tickets, and went down to the platform to find trains heading into Paris Centre. We switched lines at Gare Du Nord. From here we had to walk upstairs and follow signs for line 2 at La Chapelle street. These are very well laid out once you get upstairs. Line 2 is great. The stops flash as you approach on the overhead map, and they are lit up until they have been reached. Extremely easy to follow along. You need to remember on all of these trains, that you have to open the doors yourself to get off, and sometimes even to get on. Saw some near misses!
Elena's flat was not far from Caronnes station in the Republique (11 arr.), right next to Le Marais, and north of Bastille. Walking distance from everywhere! (As Elena so kindly pointed out). We found her flat with some assistance of the friendly bakery shop owner who directed us down a cobblestone pathway. Up the number 1 stairwell, through a door we had the code to, and up 4 flights of curly stairs where we were greeted with cold beverages and warm kisses.
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| Don't trip! |
Elena had a city map waiting for us, with all the sites highlighted, and even offered suggestions for things to do, and how to get around. We were very grateful for her hospitality as we fought to keep our eyes open! Here are the views from our window in all directions.
Elena showed us around the small, yet very well situated and functional apartment.
We showered, changed and headed out for a cappuccino. Anything to keep us awake. The Republique, Le Marais and Le Bastille are wonderful neighborhoods, and there are creperies, bakeries, groceries, restaurants and pubs on every corner. We stopped here and there for a drink and a bite, and wandered up to Republique. It is a massive square with people running amuck in every which direction, around a monstrous liberty statue. Very cool.
Some things we have observed in our short time here:
Driving here is nuts! There are bikes, scooters and motorcycles that follow their own rules, and cars that drive down streets at barreling speeds in all directions. Intersections are often five way, and motorcyclists sometimes opt for the sidewalk to cut corners. The green man means walk, the red man with his hands on his hips means stop. There is no in between so don't lollygag across the street or you will be challenged!
Helmets for cyclists of all kinds are voluntary and seem somewhat unpopular. It is not uncommon to drive a motorcycle with one hand and read a book with the other...while carrying a baguette.
Driving here is nuts! There are bikes, scooters and motorcycles that follow their own rules, and cars that drive down streets at barreling speeds in all directions. Intersections are often five way, and motorcyclists sometimes opt for the sidewalk to cut corners. The green man means walk, the red man with his hands on his hips means stop. There is no in between so don't lollygag across the street or you will be challenged!
Helmets for cyclists of all kinds are voluntary and seem somewhat unpopular. It is not uncommon to drive a motorcycle with one hand and read a book with the other...while carrying a baguette.
Everyone is carrying a baguette at all times, usually two. Many people are snacking on said baguette on their way home.
TIL that children can be homeless in Paris. And they aren't fashionably waving oversized Revolutionary flags or grabbing bullets off of fallen soldiers, they are asleep in a phone booth underneath their passed out mother, or snuggled into a sewer grate with their father. Sometimes, at the ripe age of 4, they are playing with dirty water at a sewer grate, completely and utterly alone. It can be very unsettling. I can't picture my sister in-law not intervening here. How have these children not been removed from their parents??
TIL that children can be homeless in Paris. And they aren't fashionably waving oversized Revolutionary flags or grabbing bullets off of fallen soldiers, they are asleep in a phone booth underneath their passed out mother, or snuggled into a sewer grate with their father. Sometimes, at the ripe age of 4, they are playing with dirty water at a sewer grate, completely and utterly alone. It can be very unsettling. I can't picture my sister in-law not intervening here. How have these children not been removed from their parents??
Happy hour is from 5-8, and drinks are half price! Patios are packed as everyone takes advantage of this after a long day at work. People don't go home early on a Wednesday night.
Wi-fi in the city isn't great. At the apartment it's amazing, faster then what we have at home, and the long distance is free. We made it our mission to have everything planned and uploaded to our Paris map before leaving. The offline Paris map App is a must. Ulmon makes a free version for a variety of cities, and it allows you to look up points of interest, as well as plot your own on a map, and call it up without internet. Very handy!
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| Round and round and round you go at the Bastille |
After happy hour in the Bastille, and some dinner, we headed home. No walk home is complete without a stop at the market and bakery. It cost only 4 euros for 1.5 litres of water and a bottle of wine! We are going to gain so much weight on this trip.
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| Mille feuille and apricot turnover. Not a bad bedtime snack. |
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