Day 2

Well, Paris at last. The first thing that strikes you when you arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport is the sheer enormity of the site. It kicks in after you

1. alight from the plane

2. walk to and are transported on the longest travellator I have experienced

3. Lineup for customs (have to love A380’s)

4. make it through customs

5. travel on a futuristic escalator crisscrossed by other futuristic escalators

6. arrive at the baggage claim, collect baggage and then a short hike to the lifts

7. travel 4 floors on said lift down to street level

8. then finally arrive at your bus.

The bus trip gave us our first glimpse of Paris. The journey itself only took 20 minutes and we arrived at our first home, the Hôtel Campanile Paris 11 Bastille - Le Marais. We only had to wait about 40 mins to get into our rooms so it was decided to go on a short hike to the Place des Vosges. It is the oldest planned square in Paris, built by Henri IV in 1612. It was one of the hidden gems you find in large cities which contrasts the hustle of modern day living. I couldn’t think of a more wonderful and serene start to our time here.

From there it was back to settle into the rooms for an hour and a half to get things organised before the day’s journey. Mixed in with the tiredness of the long trip was an overall sense of urgency to get out and start exploring. We have two things going for us, youth and the less than youthful with a desire to keep up.

The first port of call was a walk along the Seine to Notre Dame. We hiked alongside the river and through streets until the Gothic Cathedral came into sight. Against the backdrop of a cloudless sky, it would be an understatement to say it was stunning. Cherry blossom trees which flanked the side of the structure were in full bloom which added to the spectacle. The line was too long to get inside but the exterior was more than enough. Standing in front of the cathedral and imagining how many thousands had stood in the same place over nearly 650 years, drives home one’s place in time.

From here it was across the river into the Latin Quarter for a quick look around and a bite to eat. The eateries were plentiful and quite reasonable. From here it was on to the Luxembourg Gardens for a chance to just sit down and ‘smell the flowers”. It seemed that half of Paris were here taking advantage of the first real day of spring. People were walking, sitting, lazing, sailing model boats and just simply relaxing in the afternoon sun. A short trip up the road to Pantheon followed then back to the hotel to drop the bags then off to dinner at Les Barjots.

By the time we got back to the hotel after dinner, most if not all of the party were well and truly beat. It was a wonderfully full day and Paris had greeted us in all her finery. Bed and another full day beckoned.

Highlights: Basically everything