Chez toi ou Chez moi?
During the week of 25 October, Chuck attended a major exhibition in Paris – “Euronaval” is held every two years and features exhibits by all the major defense contractors showcasing their systems. There were 25,000 visitors this year and it was a great opportunity to make some more of those contacts that are the reason for his job.
Kathi had come along to do some sightseeing. At the end of the exhibition, we stayed on leave for an extra day– and, of course, had gotten to see some of the city during the earlier evenings. Kathi was able to see a bit more of the sights during the days with the wife of one of Chuck’s colleagues who was also there.
We traveled by Eurostar train (the high speed “bullet train”) from Waterloo Station in London to Gare du Nord in Paris; returning the same way on the 29th. Our hotel room was on the 32nd floor of one of Paris’ highest buildings and we had spectacular views from our window. (See http://chuck.smugmug.com/gallery/269135/1/10642742 for some of our Paris pictures.)
It would take a month of very busy days just to see most of the better museums of Paris – and there are so many of them; the Louvre alone could easily absorb a week. We did re-visit the Louvre, which we had last visited in 2000, but, again, saw very little of it. The Musee d’Orsay, right across the river from the Louvre (and converted from an old railway station) is on a much more human scale, with extensive collections of French impressionists. We really enjoyed this one, and spent about 5 hours in it – awed by the beautifully-designed and –restored building as much as by the art it contains.
We took a nighttime Seine cruise, including a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Kathi and Carol, the other lady with her, took an unusual tour of the famous Paris sewers which, in addition to their obvious function, served as hidden pathways for the French Resistance during World War II. Naturally, it being Paris, we had a couple of really delicious dinners – our favorite being at a restaurant call Le Soufflé, where one can have an “all soufflé” dinner, accompanied by a salad. Other highlights included a long walk along the left bank of the Seine, returning to our starting point, but on the right bank. Along the way we re-visited Notre Dame cathedral, had cappuccino at a sidewalk café and ate an ice cream cone on the Ile St. Louis. We made lots of use of the Paris Metro (subway) which we liked almost as much as the London Underground.
We want to return some time when we have a LOT of time – and a LOT of money. One of the best things about Paris was that it makes the London prices, which we had thought were outrageous, seem distinctly more modest.
Kathi had come along to do some sightseeing. At the end of the exhibition, we stayed on leave for an extra day– and, of course, had gotten to see some of the city during the earlier evenings. Kathi was able to see a bit more of the sights during the days with the wife of one of Chuck’s colleagues who was also there.
We traveled by Eurostar train (the high speed “bullet train”) from Waterloo Station in London to Gare du Nord in Paris; returning the same way on the 29th. Our hotel room was on the 32nd floor of one of Paris’ highest buildings and we had spectacular views from our window. (See http://chuck.smugmug.com/gallery/269135/1/10642742 for some of our Paris pictures.)
It would take a month of very busy days just to see most of the better museums of Paris – and there are so many of them; the Louvre alone could easily absorb a week. We did re-visit the Louvre, which we had last visited in 2000, but, again, saw very little of it. The Musee d’Orsay, right across the river from the Louvre (and converted from an old railway station) is on a much more human scale, with extensive collections of French impressionists. We really enjoyed this one, and spent about 5 hours in it – awed by the beautifully-designed and –restored building as much as by the art it contains.
We took a nighttime Seine cruise, including a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Kathi and Carol, the other lady with her, took an unusual tour of the famous Paris sewers which, in addition to their obvious function, served as hidden pathways for the French Resistance during World War II. Naturally, it being Paris, we had a couple of really delicious dinners – our favorite being at a restaurant call Le Soufflé, where one can have an “all soufflé” dinner, accompanied by a salad. Other highlights included a long walk along the left bank of the Seine, returning to our starting point, but on the right bank. Along the way we re-visited Notre Dame cathedral, had cappuccino at a sidewalk café and ate an ice cream cone on the Ile St. Louis. We made lots of use of the Paris Metro (subway) which we liked almost as much as the London Underground.
We want to return some time when we have a LOT of time – and a LOT of money. One of the best things about Paris was that it makes the London prices, which we had thought were outrageous, seem distinctly more modest.
posted by Chuck and Kathi Calvano @ 9:11 PM
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