Ah, Paris, incredible traffic, intolerable crowds, high prices, and people who rush for no one. We spent the last two days in Paris on our own, so we got a real feel for this incredible city. You Americans who are used to a certain pace of life, well, that is not going to happen in Europe. It is SLOW here, and that is the way it will be. The locals will not change their pace for you. Period. If you are in a rush, you need to take a step back and relax. Trying to push them will only result in frustration for all.
First thing we learned was the subway system. If you plan to spend anytime on your own before or after a tour, you must master the public transportation: bus, subway, and trams.
Paris is building a tram system, hopefully, in time for the 2024 Olympics but they are miles behind and do not seem to be in a rush to do any building.
We booked a tour with VIATOR, of course, and needed to get to the tower before 10:00AM to meet our personal guide.
Our hotel was the Hyatt and was in the area of extensive construction, so it was very difficult to get from here to there easily. Sidewalks were closed or rerouted and it was difficult to figure how to get to where you wanted to go.
With some local help, we found the subway entrance, called the Metropolitan (Metro), and we headed down for an adventure.
Now the subway is safe, as long as you keep a lookout for pickpockets. There are 7 lines all going in different directions and interconnected at specific stops along the way so, before you get on a train, know where you want to go, which line or lines will get you there, and map it out. There are clearly marked subway maps with kiosks where you get your ticket, which by the way cost 1.9E. Each ticket is good until you leave the subway system and go
So, with a map in our minds (and our hands), we took the #1 line for two stops, switched to the #2 line, and soon arrived at our stop.
Unfortuately, the subway will only get you close to your destination, so you will still have to walk. Keep those walking shoes handy.
We went to the appointed meeting spot where we met our guide Hugo. He was a very considerate, personable, well educated young man, who had been guiding for only a year. He took us on a slow walk to the entrance of the park, where the ques were already building.
Our ticket was a ticket and thats just what we did - we skipped the line. Hugo kept a on the history of Mr. Gustavs tower and led us to an elevator for a ride to the first level observation deck.
Here we were treated the the most amazing sights of this renowned city. Hugo took us the full 360 degrees around the tower and told us where the most interesting sights could be seen. We were there for 30 minutes when he released us to go to
Here was a second observation deck. The weather clear so we had a spectacular view of the city. Cathy and I even climbed to the very top for a final panoramic view of Paris.
It was finally time to go and so we started down a staircase that we thought went to the elevator. Wrong. It was a staircase leading to the ground! Now, I admit, I am in modest shape for an old goat and I found it a bit taxing to go down hundreds and hundreds of steps. Cathy took it a little harder, so when we came to another deck, we had a chance to rest, get an incredibly expensive soda, and enjoy a few minutes just sitting and enjoying the view.
When it was time to leave, we found the elevator. This time we rode down to the ground and then to the hotel for some much needed nap time!
For the evening festivities, I booked a Seine dinner cruise on the Bateaux Parisienne through, you guessed it, VIATOR. We left the hotel about 5:30
We got there a little early, about 7 for boarding at 7:45, so we had a chance to walk along the Seine, buy another $5 twelve ounce bottle of Fanta, and relax as we waited for our boat to board.
I have noticed that Paris is very clean.
