Was sad to leave the village we had grown to love, but the idea of spending the next 6 nights in Paris made up for it. Drove to Aix-en-Provence to return our car and we caught the TGV from Aix to Gare-de-Lyon. Brilliant train trip, took just under 4 hours. We arrived at the station and changed trains for the Metro and before we knew it we were meeting Andre the host of our gorgeous little Airbnb in Le Marais district. The girls are staying at a hotel just around the corner. Had a fabulous stroll around the area and grabbed a world famous felafel roll from L’As du Fallafel. Truly lived up to the hype – I think we will be eating here every night!! Eliza and I had a date at the Moulin Rouge so we all caught the train to the de Clichy area – Eliza and I loved the show and Andrew and Annabelle had a great walk around the district. We all caught the train back and got off a couple of stops early to walk along the magical Seine.
Atelier des Lumieres and Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Had a brilliant light and sound experience at the Atelier des Lumieres, a full immersion into the works of Gustav Klimt. It was brilliant, something we have never experienced before and a great addition to our understanding of Klimt after seeing his works in Vienna. The girls went off shopping after this but Andrew and I went to Pere Lachaise and spent the afternoon wandering around the alleys are looking at the magnificent headstones. We all caught up for dinner at Cafe Chez Julien in Le Marais – fabulous day.
Day trip to Mont-Saint-Michel
Very early morning – caught the metro to join our bus tour for a day in Mont Saint-Michel. It was a very long coach trip – 4 hours there and back, but it was very much worth it. We had a brilliant guide, who filled us all in on the history of the architecture, the battles, the monks – you name it, so we felt very well prepared when we arrived. It was amazing to walk around this ancient monastery and just marvel at how it was created. We were able to spend about 4 hours there which gave us a bit of a taste but you could spend days there and still not scratch the surface. We arrived back in Paris around 9pm, tired but we thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Montmarte and Ballet
Spent the morning walking around Montmarte, saw some great graffiti art, had a little coffee in a cafe and then climbed Sacre Cour – many steps but so enjoyed the view. We split up after this and I spent the afternoon in the Musee d’Orsay. Had a brilliant day. Had an early dinner at a nice restaurant and then headed off to the Palais Garnier to see the ballet. Wow!! what a magnificent building. Had a champagne in the Grand Foyer and it was just breathtaking. Went into the auditorium and after sitting down looked up to that magnificent Chagall ceiling – it was just mesmerising. The ballet was wonderful, it was the most magical evening.
Day walking the streets
Spent the day walking went to the Concierge, Sainte-Chapelle and we finally made it to Shakespeare & Company Bookshop – it was brilliant! Andrew then went off to Notre Dame and the girls and I took a walk up the Champs Elysee. Eliza kept shopping and Annabelle and I went to the Rodin museum. Eliza and Annabelle went to Crazy Horse in the evening and Andrew and I spent another evening walking the streets – just beautiful!
Last day in Paris
Had an early start. Andrew headed off to spend the day at the Louvre and I went to Musée de l’Orangerie, it was just sublime to see Monet’s waterlilies in surround. Met the girls at lunch in the Tuileries gardens, reminded us of watching Madeline when the girls were little! We then spent the afternoon at the Musee Yves Saint Laurent. It was brilliant to see the exhibition of his designs, his drawings and the place where he had worked. We found a little cafe to have dinner and we spent our last night just walking around.
Au Revoir France
Early start for the airport. Andrew and I are heading home today but the girls are going to London for a week. We dropped in to say goodbye to them then made our way to the airport. Took a picture from their hotel window looking up the Rue de Rivoli. We have had such a brilliant month in France, we are so sorry to be leaving but one thing is for sure – we will be back!
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