PARIS TRIPS

We go into Paris once a week. Sometimes we go for the day, but usually we spend one night. We alternate between going in on the train and driving. The cost of the train is about the same as gas and parking for 2 days. The train is more relaxing, but it means I can’t bring as much stuff since I have to haul it on both the train and the metro, and then walk to the hotel.

We have been staying at a nice but modest small hotel in the 7th, a short walk from the Tour Eiffel. The neighborhood is very pleasant and reasonably quiet, and there are plenty of restaurants within a short walk. Next week we are going to try a new hotel in the 6th.

To entertain ourselves, we go to museums, take long walks through all the sites and through neighborhoods, and have leisurely lunches (often a picnic in one of the many beautiful parks). So far we have been to the Musee D'Orsay, the Orangerie, the Marmottan Monet (in the 16th, highly recommended), the Dali in Montmartre (excellent explanations of the symbolism in English as well as French), and a new exhibit at the Luxembourg, Miro to Warhol.

We also go on the organized walking tours, “Paris Walks.” The 2 hour walking tours are really fun and interesting. So far we have done the Latin Quarter at the time of the revolution, and the history of the Marais. Next week we will do Montmartre, and later Paris Under the Occupation.

In the evening we go out to dinner. We also saw the new Woody Allen movie, in English with French subtitles, which was fun and a good mini French lesson at the same time.

Below is a sampling of pictures. If you can't see something clearly, you can click on it to enlarge.