4 Days in Paris trip report

Day 3, Saturday, 4/21. Breakfast then 1st task: visit the SNCF railway office near the hotel across the bridge on rue Turenne off rue St. Antoine. Railway strike on our travel day to Amsterdam, 4/23; we had advance tickets on Thalys. I took a number and we sat down to wait. A nice French woman speaking excellent English asked me if I had a booking and I said yes, we have advance tickets. She said a booking meant an appointment with the railway representative. She then proceeded to ask the rep if our train would be cancelled and he said no, it will run as scheduled. So lovely of her to help us without being asked! A case of we didn’t know what we didn’t know! Our errand done, we then hopped on the Bus #69 to the stop near the Centre Pompidou, our destination. While we enjoyed the art at Pompidou, the building left us cold. I can see why the Parisians are not fond of it. Beverly said she wanted to walk the Champs Elysees, a very beautiful walk! A taxi after that and back to the hotel. We asked the hotel to schedule a tour to Giverny for us on Sunday! Dinner at Sorza again and then another stroll around the island and walk along the Quai and people watching. Fun!
Day 4, Sunday, 4/22. Went on a Seine river cruise with Vedettes Pont Neuf, 15 Euros, I think. Delightful morning with sunny skies. Very enjoyable time. Had lunch at a café behind the Louvre and then walked to the tour office for the bus to Giverny. I think 65 – 70 Euros. Air conditioning on the bus, Beverly was very happy. We arrived at Giverny among masses of people, after all, it was Sunday afternoon. It did not matter a heap, the flowers were in full bloom, so many vibrant colors and varieties of flowers, I was in Heaven! I tried using the garden map but the signage was very confusing. Finally made it to Monet’s house, my favorite in all the world. I could live there, no problem. Went through the gift shop, very tasteful and extensive for all things Monet. Back to the bus, hit traffic. Went to dinner again at Sorza, strolled around, had an ice cream. Back to hotel to pack and be ready in the morning for our taxi to Gare du Nord for our 8:19 am Thalys train to Amsterdam.
To sum up: We read Rick’s guidebook and learned a few simple French words and phrases which stood us in good stead with everyone we encountered. The hotel staff were so kind and helpful and restaurant staff and shop staff were too. I think especially because we tried to speak their language.

Thank you for taking the time and energy to do this report. You've included great details and I love reliving memories.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. Would you return to Paris? I find it's the one city that keeps calling me back. I will be going for the 6th time next month. I still haven't seen all I want to see after a cumulative 5 weeks in Paris. This next trip I'm fortunate to have 12 days. It still won't be enough.

Judy B, enjoyed reading your wonderful report. So glad you had such a nice time. We love Hotel de Lutèce and Ile St Louis. You picked the best location. I also say I could move right into Monet’s house and be very happy. Minus the tourists of course!

So glad that the Paris end of your trip went so well. We went one year in July when it was sooooo hot and our hotel did not have AC. Lesson learned. So last year we went again in the summer, the room had AC and this time the weather was perfect. We didn't need any AC - oh well. Paris is always fun.

Judy!! You did SO many of my favorite things!

Last Fall I did that Hemingway walk with Chris - found that so enjoyable and interesting! Also during the winter found the e-book of Moveable Feast free for my Kindle app. I've never really been able to read Hemingway but I could read that...and think, oh yes, we walked there. Uh huh...yep we walked there too. Oh yeah...that was in Midnight in Paris with Owen Wilson (no I don't get all my history from Owen Wilson!!)

Also love Marmottan and Giverny....isn't it cool to see the gardens after you've see the paintings?

Yum on Cafe Roussillon!

I completely understand about Paris in the heat....yuck. Just. Can't. Do. It!!

Thanks so much for taking time to write and post...now what about Amsterdam? Hahaha!!

Judy, thank you sharing your Paris trip. I especially liked that you mentioned your experience at Musee Picasso. Love everything Picasso. We have been watching the Genius: Picasso series On Demand. Guernica history was featured. After seeing Guernica in Madrid, we could understand Picasso's life struggles. Merci.

Andrea, yes, I’m in love with Paris and want to find another time to go. I have at least two more trips I’m planning so Paris will have to wait. I bought my friend’s remaining Metro tickets so now I have 16 rides for my next trip! Paris is magical. I’m glad you will have 12 days!
Pam, yes, I loved Marmottan and Giverny and seeing the gardens in his paintings and the water lilies, so romantic an environment. Amsterdam/Haarlem report will come in a few days. Definitely will post my experiences.
Jlschandler, I have recorded the Genius series on Picasso but have not had a chance to watch them yet. I have not been to Madrid yet, someday.
Thanks, everyone, for your kind comments. This was my first report and I enjoyed sharing my experiences.

Susan,
I would choose Hotel de Lutece again, I really loved the island!

Judy - just a tip on the Metro tickets. Try to keep them away from magnets - like in a purse or wallet clasp. They may de-magnitize BUT if they don't work when you are in Paris you can just take it to a manned booth and they will swap it out for you.

Pam,
Thanks. I have stored them in a plastic bag in a drawer for future use, away from magnets.

SO glad you liked the hotel and the island. I always have a hard time leaving...💕

Awesome trip report!!!

I'm jealous of your heat wave. We went the last week of April and got lots of rain and wind. The highs were in the 40s! US Arizonans would have loved an 80 degree day. On the other hand, there were no lines when we went to the Eiffel Tower. I was worried about the wait since I wasn't able to get tickets ahead of time, but we were able to walk right up to the check points and ticket counter.

Thank you for sharing your trip with us. I love Paris too!

Wonderful trip report! I’m in the I love Paris club, too. Going to London for almost 2 weeks and wish I had made time for a quick overnighter in Paris just so I get my Paris fix!

Claudette,
I love London too! And you’re going for almost 2 weeks, wonderful.

Judy, I love reading all of the things that you did while in Paris. So glad you and your companion had such a nice trip and splurged for taxis when you knew it would benefit you. Everything sounds just perfect!

Great trip report, Judy B. It was nice to meet you in Haarlem and follow after you in Paris. Thanks again for the Pariswalks recommendation!