EUROPE BLOG May 3rd, 2023 - PARIS

5/3/23- We bid goodbye to Bordeaux as we step outside our AirBnb to secure an Uber. Only problem is after several attempts, none show. Each one is over 7 to 10 minutes out and apparently won’t try to pick us up. We have to put “Plan B” in action which was dragging our luggage and heavy backpacks several blocks to the tram. At least it’s a bit chill outside and we make it to the train station with time to spare. Actually, we have extra time as it’s running ten minutes late.

We booked a bullet train to Paris (what normally would take 7 hours only takes 2 for the fast one), and arrive around 11am. Upon leaving the station, we find a good pickup spot and call another Uber when suddenly Sharece gets nailed in the head by bird poop. Somehow, she manages to stay cool and clean herself off with a wetwipe. Welcome to Paris!

Our hotel room is not ready (Hotel Le Close – Notre Dame), but they store our bags while we explore the city (which we are very thankful for). First up is Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s still closed to the public after the fire in 2019, but just to see it in person again was enough for us. Keep in mind we’ve been to Paris a couple of times, so this trip will mainly be a refresher course, and perhaps we’ll find new stuff to check out along the way.

Around the corner, we attempt to go to Sainte-Chappelle but the line is extremely long to get in. With the weather absolutely perfect, there’s no way we’re waiting a few hours for this. We skip by, walk through the Louvre (only the outside as we have no need to walk the museum again) and take the metro train to the Eiffel Tower.

Immediately, we see the difference from years past as there’s a glass wall around the tower forcing everyone to go through security checkpoints to enter. There is a fast line for those who don’t have a ticket to go up and only wish to walk the grounds, so that was pretty easy. Unfortunately, there are street vendors everywhere hacking their crap to tourists. One of them elbow bumped me as I tried to go around and when I confronted him he acted as if I was the one who pushed him. Realizing it’s a losing battle no matter how I react I carry on, but not before Sharece gets a few choice words in to the guy. I love her!

It’s now 4pm and we’re ready to check into our hotel. The metro takes us straight back where we rest for several hours, which is sorely needed, but once 8pm rolls around we venture out again. I’m so glad our hotel is literally a minute or two from Notre Dame as this Latin Quarter area is fantastic to be in.

We walk over Pont Neuf Bridge to the Louvre once more to catch the sunset through the triangle glass dome. This is an absolutely beautiful sight to see, so much so that we continue taking pictures and marveling over the view until dark.

Going the same route as before, we take the metro to the Eiffel Tower just in time to see it fully lit up, and at 11pm on the dot it sparkles in the night’s sky. Wow… I mean WOW! I love Paris at night time and this is proof.

We take a seat in our favorite viewing spot of the tower (across the Seine River at Trocadero) and listen to live music playing in front of us as we’re completely caught up in the moment. I wouldn’t mind staying here for hours, but midnight is approaching and the metro will stop running soon. With heavy hearts, we take the metro back to our hotel before our carriage turns back into an onion.

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