Our last days in Paris

With only two days left of our great European vacation we start this day with no particular destination in mind. The Hotel de Ville is just up the street from us and since it is French heritage days we are able to tour the this opulent building which isn't usually open to the public.The line is not long so we take our place and enjoy the entertainment provided by the band. This is not a hotel at all but is home to the mayors office and the local administration. Since 1357 it has been the location of the municipality of Paris. It takes almost two hours to wind our way through this museum like palace with its libraries, meeting rooms, senate seats, grand ballrooms etc. The woodwork on the floor is gorgeous and the chandeliers are stunning.

Reception Room Hotel de Ville

After completing the grand tour Dan and Karen decide to return to the St.. Germaine district to stroll the arts and clothing area.  They walk across the "LOCK" bridge where lovers from all over the world profess their undying love by locking their love forever with a padlock. An attraction that has become so popular, part of the bridge fell from the shear weight, so now lock bridges are popping up all over Paris.

How come you didn't bring one back to the Apartment?

  Terry and I were told that the art museum was also free today so we get in line go through security and come to find out the information was incorrect. While we have no problem paying the entrance fee we have to admit that neither of us has a true appreciation for the art we would be viewing so we opt out. Terry wants to check out the port/marina so we part ways as I find my way to the Jardin Des Plantes.   A beautiful garden with a zoo and the natural museum of history.  One could easily spend the entire day here but we have an appointed meeting time so I enjoy a nice stroll and head back to the batobus. D&K are disappointed that most of the shops were closed but they enjoy the day and satisfy their hunger with an Italian Mt. Vesuvius pizza for lunch. We head back towards the apt. with a stop along the way for T&K to grab a bite. French onion soup and a French burger. Karen spies a cute shop across the street and returns a few minutes later with a beautiful tile that will grace her kitchen and remind her of this fabulous trip. We haven't spent much time out in the evening as we've been do tired from our action packed days. Tonight we will head back to Notre dame to enjoy the lights and a bottle of wine. We are very continental as we sit out under the lights enjoying the day's end. It seems a little blasphemous drinking on the cathedral grounds but we are not alone and I figure a Hail Mary or two and all will be forgiven. (No offense intended to my catholic friends).

Notre Dame all lit up

Cheers!!!!!!!

 Our final morning finds Dan and Karen on a quest to pay their respects to Jim Morrison. It turned out to be quite a walk. After some searching they finally find the grave which is adorned with several tributes left by true blue fans. The cemetery was very tricky to navigate with its uneven, hilly very cobbled terrain but Dan is happy to have made the effort.

Terry has found a canal cruise and has booked us tickets for this afternoon. After a couple of subway rides we arrive at the dock.

All Aboard.....

Captain Terry is in his element and glad to be on a a boat on the water. We take our seats on the top deck as we get underway. We immediately enter a tunnel that takes us under the city and emerges about 20 minutes later to the first of several locks.

Emerging from the tunnel

So much history of  this water way involving the commerce of the city and how goods were moved through the canals. This is a very different view of Paris and we sit back and relax for the next couple of hours.

Enjoying the cruise

Good Friends, Good times

The weather has been very cooperative with just a few clouds but cooler than the previous days.  After disembarking, we are starving. Hop on the subway and make our way back to our neighborhood. We have a particular restaurant we are looking for (Foot of the Pig) but are unable to locate it so we randomly pick one of the busier places we come across and couldn't have been happier.  On this last night we go all out.  Dan has the chateaubriand, cooked to perfection. Karen always figures she can't go wrong with the special and she is absolutely right. Cooked shrimp served with an onion dish that is to die for.  Terry has veal scallopini and I have chicken in a decadent sauce with risotto. We happily retreat to the apartment to pack up for an early morning departure. Our driver will arrive at 7:00 am. 

We originally scheduled a 7:30 pick up but either the driver or Dan changed it to 7:00 and are we very thankful for that.  We comment how the traffic isn't so bad this time of day, but as we get closer to the airport things change rapidly.  We are deposited right up front but we now have to get ourselves to our appointed gates.  We bid farewell to our friends Dan & Karen as they are on a different flight.  We hug and kiss cheeks knowing that we will be rejoined back home, but it is the Parisian thing to do.  The kiosk check in isn't very clear and the man standing next to us is swearing up a storm. Yup, we are back in the company of Americans!  It takes about 45 minutes if not longer just to get through the line.  Finally we are relieved of our bags we're all checked in but now to find our gate.  Alas, a bit of a hike and a train ride later we seat ourselves at our gate with not really to much time to spare.  While we are not looking forward the the next 12 hours we are anxious to get home.   We miss our families and are grateful we had this opportunity.  Truly a trip of a lifetime! So many memories. Where are we going next?