One of the things your stomach thinks of when visiting Paris is dining, and there is lots of it. But first you have to get to Paris.
The Eurostar, the way to go from London to Paris via the Chunnel.
Instead of flying, we decided it was just as easy and more interesting to take the train to Paris from London, where we had been staying for nearly a week.
The Metro (subway) in Paris.
Once we got to Paris, we took the Metro to the station near the hotel where we would be staying while in the city. And I had made a big mistake.
Beware of pickpockets in Paris. They run in gangs.
I’m smiling because I’m upset. I stupidly had forgotten to put my wallet into an inside zipped up compartment in my jacket. When are large group got to the Metro platform for our train, a large group of miscreants surrounded us like they were young tourists – they weren’t. They tried to grab our suitcases and I was crushed by about five people. Then just before the doors automatically closed, they rushed out; almost taking me with them. But one of the group pushed me back inside the train. I even heard one of them say as the train started “I got a wallet.” I checked and sure enough, my wallet was gone. I still had my passport so I could travel but geez. We got on our cell phones as soon as we could get wifi, but Citibank noticed an unusual expenditure and had stopped my card right away. They did not try, at least not yet, anything with the two debit cards. We immediately reported all three as stolen. I also lost my health insurance cards, and driver’s license. Sigh, something I had to deal with when I got home. The only money I lost was the approximately $150 still in my wallet. Oh well.
The Metro Station near our hotel.
Well, that wallet was all that was stolen from our group. Moving on, this was where we came up from underground in the Montparnasse area of Paris.
The street signs are a little confusing to an English speaking ignorant American.
It was winter in Paris, so all the trees were bare, but still quite a few people out even in the cold.
Large intersections are all over the city of Paris.
The streets in Paris date back centuries from the horse carriage days. As such, there is not a standard grid pattern. People like me need to be on my toes so that I don’t inadvertently step out into traffic, coming from a multitude of directions. I don’t know what the law is about pedestrians in Paris, but it seemed like you obeyed the traffic signals, unlike many here in the U.S.A.
The Lenox Montparnasse Hotel.
This is the Lenox Montparnasse Hotel in Paris, and it is a charming smaller hotel. The rooms are very nice. They serve breakfast in the lobby (and it’s a good spread) along with pour your own beverages, particularly say a night cap of brandy. My daughter knew of this place from her job at the time as an event planner for an international company. I recommend this place.
Ways to get around in Paris.
Time to explore the city, but not on that. Look closer, it has two front wheels. No, I did not ride it. I walked around a bit.
That looks like a familiar place, just down the street from the hotel.
When I first stepped out of the hotel and looked down both ways on the street trying to decide which way to go I was pleasantly surprised to see this restaurant less than a block from the hotel. Those of us who worked on the opening of EuroDisneyland (now known as Disneyland Paris) should recognize the place. Many of us dined here multiple times.
Auberge de Venise, a great Italian restaurant.
I had looked up the place to see if it was still around before leaving the states, and it was. But didn’t know where it was in regards to the hotel we were staying at. I’d told my family that if we could, we should all dine there. We did, later the second night after a day on the River Seines.
The bar in Auberge de Venise dates to Ernest Hemingway, who had an occasional drink at that bar.
The food is still marvelous there as is the Tiramisu for dessert!
The streets of Paris.
I decided to walk around a bit while everyone else got settled in and check out the neighborhood. Remember what I said about the streets being a little confusing? And where to cross them. That part is very clearly marked. So as not to get too lost, I essentially walked around the block. But look at all the places to eat!
Cafes and restaurants everywhere.
This small place only had two outdoor tables, but I was on a smaller side street.
One of the larger avenues in the area.
You can see the cafe on the right has more outdoor dining.
Le Petit seems to be in the names of many dining locations.
It was cold out, so not so many outside diners.
A pizza joint.
This place had outdoor dining, and heating lamps, so some Parisians decided to dine outside.
A Whopper in Paree!
For those that do not wish to dine on French or other international cuisines, they can always go to Burger King and have the Whopper. Yes, that’s what they call it there.
Chinese food and a. movie theater.
There were many restaurants that had other types of international cuisine, all near the hotel.
Korean Barbecue
Korean, sushi, and many other countries are represented in this truly international city.
Smoke, is it smoking or the type of food? Probably both.
When I looked in the window of this place, I could see a wall full of cigars and exotic cigarettes, as well as tables with ashtrays, and drink and food possibilities. Ah well, that’s it for this post.
To read about our first night in Paris, click on this link.
Our first day had us visiting the Palace of Versailles.
