Seven hours in Paris! COMPLETED About This Page:

[chezp]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Your day in Paris keeps getting better as you have covered so much territory!

We did cover a fair bit, yet at the same time, if it makes sense, it was quite a relaxing day...

Great photos of Place de Vosges. It is one of my favorite areas of Paris.

I have never seen Hotel Sully, but it looks quite unbelievable.

Your lunch at the cafe seemed quite good with a few hitches. Seems like from the photos, that they over cooked your creme brulee. Just looks like that from the photo. I've had many of those in my day in France and the U.S. and it doesn't usually look like that!

In fairness, I don't think it was cooked properly, as underneath it was just very cold and not very nice.

Nice visit to Place de Concorde with lots of great photos. I also have one photo with the obelisk and the Eiffel Tower in the same photo. It's in my France TR.

Interesting photo of the ferris wheel as I don't think that was there back in May when I was there, but I could be wrong!

Interesting - as I thought the ferris wheel was pretty much a permanent fixture there now. Maybe not.

Seems like you had a good time at the Xmas markets on the Champs! Were the Marseilles soaps you got, based with lavender as that is quite popular in Marseilles and the Provence region?

I honestly don't know. There were lots of different scents, but there's just something about the way they're made that means they last for forever... nearly!

[chezp]

Thursday 5 December – part nine: is anyone going to take those seats?

We headed out into the cold again, this time warmed up by our hot chocolates and we weren’t far from the Arc de Triomphe now, so we headed that way.



This was built by Napoleon after he was victorious in the Battle of Austerlitz. He told his men that they would go home beneath a triumphal arch and so that’s what he then created. Sadly, with the demise of Napoleon’s power, it wasn’t actually completed until 1836, many years after Napoleon’s death. Thank goodness they did complete it, because my goodness, it really is something and it’s one of my favourite sights in all of Paris.



The light was beautiful now and it was clear that we wouldn’t get the chance to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. Paris is an hour ahead of the UK, but it also gets dark a lot later over here. By now, it was around 4:40pm and trust me, at home, it would be pretty much dark by now, but you can see how light it still was. I will say here that a few days after we got home, we had a beautiful day’s weather, similar to what we experienced in Paris, and I noticed that it was getting darker later, so I guess if it’s wet and miserable, then it gets darker early. I suppose that makes sense… and it shows you what I’m used to in a British winter…

Photos done, we headed into the underground again. This time, because we were at Charles de Gaulle Etoile station and that’s home to the RER services, we took that. It’s a train that runs throughout Paris, but in the centre, it only stops at certain stops, unlike the Metro that has multiple stops. We took the RER A two stops along to Chatelet les Halles.



Ironically, we were on a train bound for Marne La Vallee. If that means nothing to you, then you need to know that it’s the stop for Disneyland Paris. I must admit for one brief second, I did have a pang of wishing we were visiting there, but heck, I’m happy with what we’ve had this year. Next year maybe we’ll get back there to enjoy the new Ratatouille ride…

We got off at Chatelet les Halles and soon found our way to the RER D train…


Although the first train at our platform was stopped, we couldn’t board it, which was a bit surreal, but literally about two minutes later, another one arrived and we were off. It was only one stop to Gare du Nord and we were there well before 5:00pm, which was very early, as our train was at 6:13pm and we only needed to be checked in half an hour beforehand.

As a result, we had a quick wander around the station…


We also had a look outside. Only now was it started to get dark and that would’ve been pushing it far too much to get back to Gare du Nord in time for the train we were due to catch.


We managed to find this guy!



I love the area around the old fashioned timetable. It’s so cool that they have trains running to so many other countries from here.



Eventually we headed up to Hall Londres (I love the name they gave it! )


… where we encountered some very rude guys, who basically pushed past the staff member who was checking tickets, then she had to stop them and of course they got their tickets checked first and were then on their way.

When we got through that, we were directed to the area for all passports. Why I have no idea why. We had our passports checked immediately, then there was quite a line for the UK border checks. Fortunately, a staff member came through and said that any EU national could go back to the other side. Why we were sent this way originally, I have no idea. We both commented that’s changed since we last took the Eurostar, as we walked through together with Sue and Steve.

We quickly cleared security and this time, the Eeyore necklace was fine. Then it was the dash to try and find a seat in the waiting area. We always say this every time we travel, that there’s plenty of space at Ebbsfleet in the waiting room, but never enough at Paris. In fairness, we were very early, but fortunately they called the train for boarding and we were able to grab a seat. While we waited, I went to use the restrooms and just like at Ebbsfleet, there aren’t many for the number of customers they must have – just four. I had a short wait, but I timed it right, as there was a long line when I came out of there. I grabbed some water and went back to join Mark.


We couldn’t believe how many times they called people to the train before us and how late some people left it. I lost count of how many people we heard running for the train.

By the time that one left, we didn’t have long to wait before we were called for boarding too, as they call you about 20-25 minutes before you’re due to depart, which makes sense as this is a terminus station.

We headed down…


… and quickly found coach 14 and our seats. Thankfully no-one was sitting in them this time.



As we sat there, and no-one took up the seats opposite us, we began to hope that perhaps no-one would. The time passed and we heard the announcement that we would be leaving soon. Maybe…

Then a large family walked down towards us. I heard them say something about seat 43, which we were in, so I knew something wasn’t right. Sure enough, she asked if this as coach 15, and with relief, we told her that it was 14 and off they went. A couple of minutes later, we set off and Mark moved to sit opposite me, with the two of us having four seats to ourselves, which was a very pleasant surprise and made for a very nice journey home.

Almost as soon as we were moving, Mark headed off to the buffet car. I had told him that having missed out on the mulled wine earlier, I wanted some wine on the way back, so he went off to get me some, returning with two small bottles of rose wine. I have him very well trained! He also got some crisps (chips to you guys ) and a selection of meat and olives which he ate and cheese which I had. It was a perfect light dinner, after our massive lunch.


I spent much of the journey back writing up my trip report. Obviously, there are no photos from the journey, as it was pitch black outside by now.

We did stop for a while in France and Mark told me that he had heard them say that we were now 15-20 minutes late, but I didn’t hear anything, as I was listening to my iPod.

Because it was pitch black outside, I also didn’t even notice it was raining (something to do with listening to the iPod as well), but Mark said it was really coming down. Thank goodness it didn’t do that while we were in France.

I have to admit that I also didn’t notice when we were in the tunnel, again because there wasn’t much difference between outside and in the tunnel!

We were indeed about 15 minutes late getting back to Ebbsfleet, but it didn’t bother us, as it wasn’t a late return time. We got off at our stop, and literally as we walked back down the platform, the train was off again, heading towards its final stop at St. Pancras in London. We headed through the terminal building, paid the parking (since when was it £9 (c. $14) for a day? ), got in the car, and headed home. Literally 20 minutes later, we were back in the house, just 13 hours after we left. Not bad for a day out!

As a footnote, I cannot begin to tell you how many people who we know who looked at us as if we were insane when we told them we were going to Paris for a day. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! We got a really good chunk of the day over there, and the journey there and back was very pleasant. We always enjoy travelling on the Eurostar, and in fairness, not having been on it for over five years, I’d forgotten how good it was.

Ok, so I didn’t get to do or see everything I wanted, but heck, just like Disney, that’s what the next visit is for, right? We did have a wonderful lunch, and it was great to see Hazel again and experience the Christmas market. Hopefully it won’t be long until we’re back there again.

The weather today was sunny and clear, with temperatures in the mid 30s.
The best thing today was seeing Hazel for lunch.
The worst thing today was how cold it got in the afternoon.
The funniest thing today was finding macaroons in McDonald’s, the last place we’d have expected!
Today we tried visiting Place des Vosges and Hotel de Sully
And the result was both were beautiful and well worth a visit.
The most magical moment today was seeing the Arc de Triomphe.

[lauriep]

How great that you ended up with so much space on the way home! You were very lucky that the heavy rain stayed away all day! This was a very nice wrap-up to your day in Paris. You packed a lot in, but it sounds like a very relaxing break.

[dutchdisneyfamily]

If/when we make it to Paris I will certainly let you know! I think it is wonderful how you went just for a day and you got a lot done! Those rude guys needed to be reprimanded by a good Disney CM and sent to the back of the line!

[disney_duke]

Sounded like a good journey back. Especially with the extra room in the train!

I don't know why anyone would be surprised at spending a day in Paris? It's very easy to do and not a terribly long journey. I suppose the most surprising factor may possibly be the cost? But even that isn't terrible if it's a special thing you do once or twice a year. Go early, return late, and you have a huge chunk of the day to be French. Sounds good to me!

[chezp]

Originally Posted by lauriep

How great that you ended up with so much space on the way home!

It was a very nice treat.

You were very lucky that the heavy rain stayed away all day!

We really did luck out with the weather that day.

This was a very nice wrap-up to your day in Paris. You packed a lot in, but it sounds like a very relaxing break.

It certainly felt like a relaxing break.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily

If/when we make it to Paris I will certainly let you know!

Please do.

I think it is wonderful how you went just for a day and you got a lot done! Those rude guys needed to be reprimanded by a good Disney CM and sent to the back of the line!

Ah now if only the whole world worked like that....

[chezp]

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Sounded like a good journey back. Especially with the extra room in the train!

I don't know why anyone would be surprised at spending a day in Paris? It's very easy to do and not a terribly long journey. I suppose the most surprising factor may possibly be the cost? But even that isn't terrible if it's a special thing you do once or twice a year. Go early, return late, and you have a huge chunk of the day to be French. Sounds good to me!

I think it's maybe because it's another country and it's alien to people to go to another country for just a day - unless maybe it's on business? I also think people don't realise how close we are to Paris - literally two hours by train. You'd think nothing of travelling two hours within the UK to get somewhere, so why not just go somewhere a bit more exotic?

[Cam22]

I love all the pictures of the trains and stations today. They look so inviting for an adventure. Your travel time seemed comfortable and smooth and you still got lots of time for fun in Paris. I think Luke and I would do that in a heartbeat, too. for sharing your day with us.

[Thomhazel]

I've just realised that to take Eurostar to Gatwick from here is only one change at London Victoria. I think i'll do that for my February holiday

[chezp]

Originally Posted by Cam22

I love all the pictures of the trains and stations today. They look so inviting for an adventure.

They do have an old-time feel to them, don't they?

Your travel time seemed comfortable and smooth and you still got lots of time for fun in Paris. I think Luke and I would do that in a heartbeat, too. for sharing your day with us.

Well, when you guys make it over here, we'll have to do that with you!

[chezp]

Originally Posted by Thomhazel

I've just realised that to take Eurostar to Gatwick from here is only one change at London Victoria. I think i'll do that for my February holiday

sadly not - the Eurostar doesn't go to Victoria - at least as far as I know. It only stops at Ebbsfleet or St. Pancras International. Then you'd have to get (I think... I haven't checked a map) the Victoria line on the Underground down to Victoria, which wouldn't work.

Now - you could do it by changing at Ashford International and then catching a train from there to Victoria.. that would probably be easier...

[cubfancolleen]

Glad the rain waited until you were on the train, and it was too dark to worry about scenery!

[nanajoyx2]

Cheryl, I loved reading about your day trip to Paris. I was able to take pictures in the Disney Store without any interference from security when we were there in Sept.. Your report brings back many great memories.

[KMB733]

Glad you were able to get in a few final sights before leaving Paris. Sorry you didn't get to see the Eiffel Tower though. Sounds like a wonderful day in Paris!!