Europe Summer 2008 - Paris

And off we go to Paris! We took the train from London to Dover - the white cliffs! The ferry ride was wonderful - great food, very comfortable! Arrived in Calais in under two hours, and then the train to Paris to find the hotel that Janet had booked for us all. What a trip! Sarah and Bob figured out the Metro, and we hauled all 17 bags through the Paris underground - to our hotel on rue Gay Lussac, by the Luxembourg Gardens.

What a city! At every turn, another breathtaking sight- from Notre Dame, and on to the Louvre, then the Arc de Triomphe, and finally, the Eiffel Tower, where we stayed until dusk. Paris lives up to all of the hype - truly incredible - MUST go back and spend some more time!


View from the Eiffel Tower

Champs des Mars gardens below the Tower

Jan and the cuzzies on the way UP!

The Tower at night - one of Meg's 'must sees'!

Meg in seventh heaven - what a tres jolie fille!


The mist machine below the Tower - very welcome during this hot day!
Meg - wanted to go to the top of the Tower, which was closed at the time due to heavy traffic

The lights came on at dusk, we grabbed some fries and beer, and sat below waiting for the night show!

Sun going down - at the tip of the shadow is the Luxembourg Gardens - our hotel was right there. We had all walked all day through the city - 13 hours!

View from the tower


The gang after a long walking day of the city, finally made it to the Eiffel Tower!

Can't believe we are finally here!

From below the tower - Bob's favourite shot




Bob's usually behind the camera - have to make sure we have pics of him too!

Le bon homme!

And off to the Louvre! Unimaginable beauty - literally takes your breath away! One could spend months here...

Ah, the ceilings too!!

Our fearless cartographer! Bob had no problems figuring out the Metro, bus routes, etc! Thanks to our Hong Kong life, I think!

L'Arc De Triomphe, after walking down Les Champes Elysses

Resting up - next stop, the Eiffel Tower!

We have an hour - which way to the Mona Lisa, first!

My Euro girl!

Which one is the Mona Lisa? Smaller than we thought - signs all throughout the Louvre to get to this one, very crowded spot! She is a beauty.

Bob and his Venus de Milos...

The Bates outside the Louvre

Inside the courtyard at the Louvre - beautiful weather in Paris -we were so lucky!


Meg and Sarah outside the entrance to the Louvre - the crystal pyramid from The DaVinci Code fame - they couldn't believe they were right there!

Walking along the Pont Neuf from Notre Dame to the Louvre

These artist booths are set up all along the Seine - all with postcards, and paintings of the city - had to buy some for the flat!

Above the entranceway into the Notre Dame - kings of old guarding the gateway. Incredible

One of the Stations of the Cross inside the cathedral

An amazing sight - we had to sit to take it all in. The Notre Dame truly breathes history - we felt the presence of many more souls before us.

The twins take on Paris! We only had to wait til this year to get here!

A great pizza place just down the road from our hotel in Paris. VERY welcome sight after travelling all day from Sutton Coldfield, to Dover, to Calais, and then into Paris! We got there at 10pm, and he stayed open for us - watching the World Cup soccer game on telly!

Bridge over the Seine - gorgeous sights

And off we go! The Bate and Richards families a pied!

The White Cliffs of Dover - say goodbye to England!

Arrival in Paris at the train station - NOW where do we go?

This is EXACTLY what Bob loves to do - strap on the backpack, grab the touring book, and off we go! We stopped for baguette, cheese and sausage for lunch everyday - good beer, and great views. What a city!