Blogs from Paris, Île-de-France, France, Europe - page 329

Advertisement

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris September 2nd 2006

On the fourth day in France we took the train to Fontainebleu to meet up with Emmanuel. He and Masa went rock climbing while I went straight to the village of Fontainebleu south of Paris about 60 Km or so, I think. There was a market going on in town which was cool to walk around. they were selling everything from mattresses to clothing to fruit. there´s also a chateau there that was a auxilliary home to many of the kings of france and later Napoleon spent some time living there. I didn´t go inside but spent a lot of time wandering the massive gardens surrounding the estate. The town of Fontainebleu is very pretty with both the old world feeling of windy streets and the outdoor cafes and shops that look more modern. Masa and ... read more
no jen the bike doesn´t go that way!!!
at the lake with Emmanuel
said picnic lunch

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris September 1st 2006

You will be happy to hear that I have begun to put my proximity to Europe to good use and have been for my first weekend away in Paris. Caught the plane from Heathrow, where it was a nightmare getting through security, particularly given recent events there. Next time I will definitely get the Eurostar - much easier!! I still love Paris - and it was a great time to go. Weather was lovely (OK, it did sprinkle a bit, but it was mainly warm). Managed to fit a lot in in my four day long weekend in Paris. Traveled with my flatmate Marc with a 'c' who has never been to Paris before (now don't get any ideas, just a friend...). On arrival on Friday night, we climbed the Montparnasse Tower for a a view ... read more
Sparkly Eiffel Tower
Me at the tower
Arc de Triomphe

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris August 30th 2006

For everyone that has been patient, thank you. I've been having a great time and finally have a chance to share it with you. Expect a ton of blogs soon. Here is the first edition, and might be a bit of a long one... After a nice relaxing summer of visits and preparations, I started off on my 245 day trip, with only a bit of apprehension. My start was prolonged one more day as my original flight was cancelled. I finally took off on Sunday evening without a hitch. I landed midday Monday, a bit tired and very excited. As it was a holiday in the UK, my friends Jill and James met me at Heathrow. I had my first taste of the touring by getting a very quick "National Lampoons" style tour of London, ... read more
Eiffel Tower by Day
Arc de Triomphe
Musee de Louvre

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris August 30th 2006

Hello out there, yes this is much delayed but I´m trying to do some catching up ... Paris. We got into paris on the morning of August 29th at around 9 in the morning or so and made our way into town from Charles de Gaul by train. The "customs" check was pretty ridiculous. They barely opened our passports and did not stamp them. No forms, no nothing. strange. Anywho we got to a cafe in the area of St. Michel square to wait for Emmanuel, Masa´s friend from UBC planning grad school. It was raining when we got in, so that kind of sucked but our REI jacket-in-a-bag worked just fine and all was well. Emmanuel met us and we trekked over to his Apartment in the heart of the Latin Quarter, the trendy place ... read more
Clear Skies and the Seine
Us at Eiffel
from the ground up

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris August 28th 2006

Matt: I guess there comes a point in every parent-child relationship when the roles are reversed and the parent becomes dependent on their dependent. Although for most, this is a gradual process that happens over a period of years, for me I can now give the exact time and location that this change happened for my mum and me. Thank you Paris! Mum had arrived in London about a week earlier. Being the dutiful son, I had planned the greeting to perfection: despite her flight arriving at 6am in the morning, I would wake up at 5am and make my way leisurely to Heathrow where I would be waiting with a bunch of flowers (the intention being to make the whole affair as teary as possible). Unfortunately I had arrived back into London late the night ... read more
Mum and Eurostar...
The Tower...
And when they were only half way up...

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris August 28th 2006

So this is the palaces at Versailles. Fortunately, we are idiots and went on the only day that it is closed. Thus, we got a pretty good look at the gardens and at Marie Antoinette's little hamlet. Also, do not go to Versailles on a monday.... read more
Fountain of Neptune
A Rock
Marie's Grotto

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris August 28th 2006

It is the Louvre. The only really important thing to say is that Eric and I not only did not spend a signifcant amount of time in line, but we also were the first people that day to buy our tickets. Hint: do not bring a bag.... read more
The H is for Homer
Man Built into a Washingmachine
An Egyptian Goat-man

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris August 27th 2006

OK, Paris. Basically this town is really dirty, the people are strange, but somehow it is incredibly attractive. It is also huge beyond comprehension, from the very top of Sacre Couer one can see city in all directions as far as the eye can see, a concept that does bode well for myself. The coolest thing about Paris is how limitless it is, you can get anywhere affordably and quickly, and there are noteworthy things of all sorts around from all periods of history, and at all cost ranges. For instance: you can visit the Notre Dame for free (not reccomended: it has a wierd touristy air to it. go see another basilica from another old part of town) or the Catacombs for something like three euros (highly reccomended). M... read more
Notre Dame de Paris
Sainte Chappelle
Eric At Notre Dame

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris August 26th 2006

Hi. As I said in my last blog, here is the continuation of what we got up to in Paris. After the catacombs, we visited Notre Dame, which is a huge church. We went inside and had a squiz, and took a few photos. This church is the one featured in the novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame (yes, i´m an expert now). We then continued onto the Louvre, which is a huge museum. This is where the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo is located. You can´t take pics of the Mona Lisa, but we had a look. Its a lot smaller than I thought it´d be. And it looks exactly like the millions of pictures you see of it. It didn´t blow me away as much as the painting on the wall in front ... read more

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris August 25th 2006

Hello all, So this morning is my last in Paris. I shall soon be jumping on a train south to Le Puy. Where I can indulge in my one of favourite passtimes; walking. Fair to say I am terrified. Despite all the new places I have visited over the last few years I have never been able to shake off those butterflies in the stomach that come from confronting the unknown. I guess I am blessed in that I dont let this fear influence my decisions to move. This time it is especially worrying as I have somehow managed to misplace my guidebook for the trail. Fortunately I have been able to acquire another one. In French. Which is a bit of a bugger but still I did come to France to learn the language. All ... read more
30kms from Le Puy




Tot: 0.209s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 3; qc: 88; dbt: 0.1274s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb