Southern New England Outdoor and Nature Site: Marge in Paris Part 2

Arc de Triomphe

My good friend Marge Bradley went to Paris this spring. I asked her if I could interview her about her trip and she graciously said yes. She gave me so many photos that I could not have possibly have posted them in one post. I did my first post about her trip before I left for North Carolina in June. I planned on doing Part 2 when I got home but am just getting to it now. Below is the transcript of our "interview" I posted this in Part 1 also, but it is all great info so it deserves to go along with these photos.

Marge sent me close to one hundred photos. She worked harder on this project than I did. This post is long overdue by at least two months. Yet Marge never once asked me if/when I would do Part 2. I want to thank her for that. Looking at all of her photos and itinerary, I learned a lot. There are a few things I wouldn't do that she did. On the other hand, she gave me so much info on the places I want to go that my experience will be much easier due to her knowledge. Thank you again Marge.

1. What was your itinerary for each day you were there. This can obviously be short answers because it is the longest answer.

Itinerary: Friday Day 1 --- airport to hotel, naps, food. Take Batobus (water taxi) on Seine down to Eiffel Tower (8:00) admission tickets - wander around tower - take kids to buy souvenirs and ride carousel across the street. McDonald's for supper at 11pm
Day 2 -- I spent 2 hours at Montparness cemetery, birding. breakfast at 1:00 (our systems didn't know what time it was) ... shopped local little places for picnic - cheese, bread, fruit, pastry, wine. Subway to Jardinne des Plants - walk about, eat. Walking tour Marais neighborhood, stop in very old church - Museum Pompidou (modern art), late dinner, back to hotel
Day 3 -- Early breakfast with Em & Greg, walk to St. Suplice for mass, took subway to Atelier des Lumiere's (an interactive, laser art show . another subway to Muse Montmarte for Easter egg hunt for kids - walk around outside of Sacre Couer (too crowded to go in), walking tour of neighborhood, found tiny French restaurant for dinner, back to hotel
Joan of Arc statue

Day 4 -- Breakfast in hotel - subway to Louvre (very crowded) only stayed about 3 hours - quick shopping at mall attached to Louvre. Walk through Tulliereis - park with statues and giant trees --- another Batobus ride down to Notre Dame - dinner
Day 5 -- Versailles - subway to train then 1/2 mile walk to palace. Toured palace, grounds, leisurely lunch, bike rides and kids took rowboats out -- train back dinner at Gladines (very French)
Day 6 -- Covid tests (took too much time) shop local shops for souverniers Museum d'Orsay - 4 hours ( my favorite museum. Galleria Lafayette and Printemps (giant stores), subway to Arc d"Triumph - back to hotel - take out dinner, pack

Day 7 -- 5:30 check out - Uber to airport -- home

2.Where did you fly out of?

Flew out of Boston

3. Was there a layover?

No layover

4. How long was the flight from leaving home to landing at Paris?

6 hours (time change messes with you though..... left around 8pm got there at 8am!

5. How did you get from airport to Paris, bus, subway, taxi, etc? How much did it cost?

Uber from airport to hotel -- $80 for regular car - $100 for van - 4+ passengers

6. Did you stay in downtown? Where did you stay, a motel, airbnb, etc?

Stayed in neighborhood called Montparnesse outside downtown area - small Hotel Raspail

7. Did you use public transportation to get around the city?

Public transportion only,. Subway, bus, boat & train to Versailles

8. If yes, was it easy, what issues did you have? Was it overwhelming?

Easy to manage - app for phone - maps in all the subway stops - not overwhelming.

9. Was signage in English ar all or just French?

Some signage in English - especially at the vending machines to buy tickets... all major attractions clearly marked at appropriate stops.

10. How long were you gone for?

in Paris Friday - Thurs - 6 days

11. What was the weather like? Did it rain often?

no rain - sunny, 50 to 70.... very nice

12. What did you bring for outer layers? Did you need a winter coat?

work denim jacket, others fleece --- guys wore shorts and shirts 2 days

Question Part 2

1. Did you eat at any of the extravagant restaurants? If so, what did you eat?

we didn't do any really fancy restaurants. Small, local spots only. I had a shepherd's pie type dish with duck, coq and vin (chicken with wine sauce and 3rd French restaurant i had escargot in a creamy sauce and a casserole with white beans, chicken and sausage. Other meals, 2 Italian and McDonald's

2. I looked at your itinerary, you didn't go to Rodin Museum?

no, sadly, didn't get to Ridin. just not enough time

3. Did you use cash or credit card to use subway?

credit card

4. Could you use card at most attractions or did you use Euros?

mostly used cards, euros for small meals and misc small stuff, tops

5. Did you ever see any pick pocket crime?

saw no crime. always felt safe

6. What was your favorite food that wasn't sweet?

Bread was unbelievable

7. What was your favorite food that was sweet?

toss.... best strawberries ever or a small slice of cake called a Royal from local bakery. almost flavored cake with strawberry cream

A couple paintings
from the Orsay Museum
The top is a Van Goh
self portait

8. Did you ever feel unsafe?

never. French military (heavily armed) outside all attractions

9. How high up did you go in Eiffel Tower?

Eiffel, 2nd floor only. none of us live heights

10. Did you buy tickets in advance?

bought tickets ahead

11. Cost of Eiffel ticket for level you went to?

17 Euros

12. If someone were to go to Eiffel Tower from getting there until leaving, how much time do you think is appropriate?

I think a minimum of two hours

13. Did you buy tickets in advance for Versailles?

Bought Versailles tickets ahead also.. timed entry is great..

14. How long was train ride?

20 minutes

15. I assume you toured most of the grounds, did you rent bikes?

did tour grounds, rented bikes. I don't know cost, Emily paid

16. How long did you stay there?

we stayed at Versailles almost 6 hours, including lunch at Cafe M

17. Any advice for Versailles or Eiffel Tower?

Go to Eiffel Tower after dark or at sunset. Tower lit up is pretty impressive and at the top of every hour the lights twinkle. All the souvenir vendors sell the same stuff at about the same price, don't bother hunting for something for less or something different. Versailles, take a history refresher before you go. Spend more time outside that indoors, gardens are amazing. And lunch on the grounds was worth the price and the time.

Below are some more photos she sent me. I grouped them as best I could by attraction.

Outdoors at Versailles

Inside Versailles

The photo below is of Napoleon Bonaparte being crowned Emperor. It is tradition for the pope to crown then Emperor. However, Napoleon was so arrogant he put the crown on his own head. You can even see the expression on the Pope's face that he isn't too happy about it.