Paris in a Weekend

The story · 4 days

Four days in Paris to celebrate an anniversary and discover a city that, for me, was still an unknown quantity.

Day 114 May 2009

Arrival

The RyanAir flight drops us off at Paris Beauvais, about 70 km from Paris. But the trip remains fairly convenient. We arrive at the hotel, at "Le meridional," in the early afternoon, and after a quick shower we go out. First destination the Seine embankment, from Les Invalides toward Notre Dame. Sun and rain, right from the start and for the whole rest of the weekend of May 15th. Which, as every year, on the occasion of our anniversary, we spend abroad. In the evening dinner in a little restaurant in Saint Germain, then off to bed.

Day 215 May 2009

Napoleon, where are you

So many stops, very concentrated, in a single day. Montmartre, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower. Above all Les Invalides, with Napoleon's tomb and all the rest. Almost all the rest... because the wing of the museum dedicated to the Grande Armée, one of the founding reasons for this trip, is closed. Closed the next day too, despite the reassurances of a guard. 800 steps of the tower, fortunately with a bit of sun. In the evening I ate an out-of-this-world fondue.

Day 316 May 2009

Le Marais

We spend the morning wandering around markets, first at Pigalle, then at the Bastille. A bit of shopping too, especially shoes. Then, taking advantage of a bit of sun, we stroll at length in the Marais. In the afternoon museums and back to the room to drop off the purchases before returning to the Marais for another excellent dinner, this time fish-based. A bit too much rain.