The City of Lights - Paris, France

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to come to France. Learning French, eating French food, corresponding with Elise who lived in the South of France was how I remembered high schoool. I have always dreamt of living in France, living the French dream.

My first experience of France was on board a bus driving down the French country side, from Calais to Paris.  I was very excited as finally I get to practice my high school French! And sure enough it came in the form of asking for cafe et tarte s'il vous plait at a bakery when we stopped for petrol. Perhaps it has been a while since I spoke French because the lady at the counter looked at me and in the end, sadly, I pointed to the menu!

Paris

The bus took us on a mini tour of Paris, taking us to key tourist sites where in the morning we would get to explore. We saw Moulin Rouge,  Arc De Triomph, Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.  My fondest memory is seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time as it lit up.

 Paris is a big city.

A city that you could possibly not visit in one day. It was suggested by our guide that we choose two or three landmarks to explore. This is in order to see them properly.

So I chose the following:

 Eiffel Tower 

A must see.  My suggestion, as suggested to me, is to visit the Eiffel Tower first. Expect to wait.

I arrived at the Eiffel Tower at around 9am. There were queue starting to build up at all four corners. I chose the South side which was closest to me. I paid my entrance fee opting to go all the way to the summit. Why wouldn't you?

I climbed the stairs right up to the second level - which was not an easy climb. People of varying fitness levels   all taking the challenge and I was either overtaking or being overtaken. At the second level, the queuing begins for the elevators to the summit, being mindful that there were four corners (sets of stairs) and leading up the second level.

The Louvre 

My next choice was the Louvre. There is a "secret" entry on the side of the Louvre that not many people know about. Entering via this entrance will save some waiting time. I did not have to wait long to pay for my ticket and enter the Museum. I was told that to appreciate the Louvre, to see all the art work even just spending a few seconds looking at each piece, you'd need seven years to see it all.

I am a little embarrased to say that I left the Museum not having appreciated it. For you see, I bought my ticket and went straight to the Mona Lisa. I left shortly after with many of the masterpieces frowning at me as I made my way to the side exit.

 Notre Dame Cathedral
 
Next was Notre Dame. Don't be disheartened if you don't see the hunchback... or find youself on a queue! The line moves very quickly and it allows you to walk slowly to admire the facade. The craftsmanship is amazing.

 Champse Elysee and The Arc De Triomph

Keep walking towards the Arc and on the way admiring one of the most expensive real estate and shopping strip in the world. One memory that has stuck with me was entering one of the shopping complex to use the toilet. For two Euros, you got to experience a toilet that had personal attendants (similar to a change room!), lined with bathroom scents you can try/smell while waiting, although you did not have to wait long. The toilet was wall papered in wonderful, unique designs and had a rotatin loo to clean itself before spraying a lovely scent. 

 Next stop: Lautterbrunnen, Switzerland