Unlike other places, you can't just land in Paris, especially on weekends. Trains run full, and so are hotels. So, I was lucky to get confirmed train tickets to Paris, through the 'Net, as late as on Thursday. The hotel reservation was done, even later, on Friday. This was also through the web and again a lucky break. The daily rates start at 400F for Hotels in the city, and I got a 320F special deal.
In any case, a Credit Card is a must, if you need to exploit the power of Internet.
My train was at 0749 and I was in Grenoble SNCF Station by 0735. There was a big rush - the French are known for planning and spending their weekends. The train unsurprisingly was on time.
TGV trains are special super fast trains that run between important cities in France (and also to some cities in Europe). The French are proud of this train, as it's claimed to be the fastest train in the world. The inside of the train is like other trains, but the engine is shaped differently. The train itself looks sleed from outside.
It is expensive, but worth its price. A distance of 640 km - between Grenoble and Paris - was covered in a mere 3 hours. It seems the train travels at 300+ kmph, over some stretches.
You don't get the effects of such high speeds inside the train, though houses, trees and other sights from the window might rush past, faster than normal! [Top]
The train was ahead of time, and I was in Gare de Lyon (one of several terminals in Paris) by 1045. I now had to look for the Tourist Reception. It was not hard to find. I asked the lady in the counter, for a map and the Paris Tourist ticket (which allows unlimited travel in the metro and bus). The lady was so kind that she said it was cheaper to take Mobilis pass, which served the same purpose. She went to the extent of writing it down and giving me, in case I'd got it wrong!
I knew the Metro stop, closest to my hotel, but the next step was to figure out, how to reach it.
Paris has probably one of the largest metro system in the world.The Metro map is mind-boggling, the first time you look at it.
There are different trains running different route. You often have to change two trains to reach your destination. It is useful to plan in advance, which train to take, where to get down, which connection to take, etc., before going inside the station.
Paris Metro is mostly underground, though some stations are located above the ground. Though I'd taken the Metro in Lyon and also travelled by the S-Bahn and U-Bahn in Munchen and Stuttgart, I was still surprised by the length of the train here and the crowd. Though a weekend, most of the trains are crowded and the frequency of trains is amazing -
I don't remember waiting more than 2 minute for a train in any station!
I was in Modern Hotel at 1150 AM. It was a 5 minute walk from the Station. The room was neat and clean, I'd a bath and toilet - it suited my needs.
I set off, in no time, for my first activity in Paris - lunch! [Top]
Venita (my junior in REC) had stayed in Paris for a while, and she had mentioned the location of Indian restaurants.
Mobilis pass meant unlimited travel by Metro, and you bet,I used it to maximum effect.
I was in Gare d'Est, and a 5 minute walk transported me to a street, which could have been mistaken for a Bombay street. There were lots of Asians walking on the roads, (I say Asians because not all of them were Indians -there were Pakistanis, in large numbers).
I picked one restaurant at random and had a lovely lunch of roti, baingan bartha, and lassi. It was quite cheap, compared to the food at Lyon and Grenoble!
It was now time to see around Paris. I'd resolved not to visit any Museums,
as my primary objective was to go around Paris, seeing as many places as
possible. This indirectly saved me some money on Entrance fees as well!
I also avoided Theme Parks (having been to Disneyland
in Los Angeles).
This was my first destination. This is usually the most popular tourist spot, after Eiffel Tower. A huge structure, akin to The Gateway of India and Charminar sits in the intersection of about 10 roads. It is a tall structure and you can go up (for a fee) and have a panoramic view of the city.
This is also the starting point of Champs Elysees - the famous Paris street.
This was a couple of stops from the earlier place and this was my next destination. In contrast to the historical nature of the previous monument, this one is a modern spectacle. There is a huge office complex - a collection of high rises of spectacular construction and this Arch rises amidst them. It is more two large pillars and a beam placed above it and is frankly, no pleasure to the eye! [Top]
These are located on opposite side of the road. Both were partly under renovation. But from here, I had a magnificent view of another structure yonder, and I began to walk towards it. This was a long walk, and I crossed the Siene, and the Park before the monument, to reach Invalides. This is a Hotel, which also doubles up as a Palace. It is a spectacular structure, with a gold-plated dome.
I must digress here to mention that all these places were fairly crowded. I could hear English spoken (at last!) and various other languages, as well. There were quite some Indians (Tamilians, especially) and Chinese (not surprising since they constitute one-third of Earth's population). [Top]
A five minute walk from the Station, brought me right under the Tower. And to a huge crowd of people, queueing up to go up the Tower. It was about 1745.
I made a call home (and shocked my dad by telling him that I was calling from under the Tower - and I was literally doing that) and then joined the queue. It was pretty fast and in an hour, I was on my way up!
There are lifts to take you up to the top. (I saw some stairs, but I don't think they are used)
The tower has three stages - and different rates to go up to each stage! (Trust them to come up with innovative pricing strategy!)
One elevator took us till Level 2, after which we boarded another elevator till the top.
And boy, wasn't it worth the cost (65F)! The view of the city from the top is breathtaking. And it is not just the city. The area on the front and the back of the tower is simply gorgeous when viewed from height.
After feasting the eyes, and a few snaps, it was time to descend.
I was also lucky to view the
sunset from height! There was a crowd for the descent as well,
and the wait for the elevators. But I was down on terra firma by
1930 - in time to watch the illuminated Tower.
The Tower is nothing but a brown coloured iron structure when viewed in plain daylight, but when illuminated, it is golden and marvellous to behold.
I walked up the garden on one side of the tower to reach the place, from where the tower fitted into the camera view-finder!
It was now 2030, and I decided that I wouldn't be able to get anything else done today.
I'd heard about the famous Paris night-life, but wasn't in the mood, alone, to explore:)
So I was back in my Hotel, for a well-earned rest. [Top]
I vacated the Hotel, as I didn't see any point in holding my room!
There was a biting wind and just a hint of rain in the air. But no rain was going to deter me on this day!
This was a beautiful building, located on the Banks of Siene. [Top]
I found the river spotlessly clean as well (in contrast to some Indian ones)!
This is a beautiful church and the inside is even more attractive. The area around it is scenic. There is another monument, behind the church, and that is worth a look too.
I was running out of film and discovered how expensive that can get (55F for a Kodak Gold 36)!
Pantheon is a church (which now houses a Museum and crypt) and it is an architectural marvel. The buildings surrounding it are equally attractive, and the place was extremely pleasant!
I was now looking for the nearest Metro station, being exhausted after the walks! I finally found one, and discovered that the train went to Gare d'Est, of the Indian food fame!
I chose a different restaurant today, but the food proved to be equally delicious!
It was now 1300, and my train was at 1734. This meant a few more places to see!
This basilica is equally marvellous. This is a Catholic church (if that matters)! [Top]
I found most of the road-side vendors/sellers in Eiffel Tower and this Basilica to be Asians. They went around selling Eiffel Tower miniatures, water, coke, what not! Some of them played Punjabi music (the balle balle types), while having some dancing dolls! It was quite similar to India and I must say, I was quite disappointed!
I espied another lovely looking monument in the next junction and walked to it. This was green in colour and very tall. More than the monument, the area was quite good - a large open square. I think this connected some popular places.
In Paris metro, only after the ticket is validated, the entrance opens. By accident, I validated the ticket for the wrong direction. When I came out and tried to validate for the "right" direction, the system refused to allow me in. And then I spotted the sign, "Please make sure, you select the right direction before you enter". The best part was, I now tried to get into the "wrong" direction, and the system refused to let me in here as well!
Instead of purchasing another ticket, I did the next thing possible.
I walked to the next
Metro station, five minutes away, and had no further problem with the
ticket!
Adjacent was
I could see Conciergerie - the ancient prison house. I crossed Siene again to reach this, and a couple of other beautiful monuments.
I've captured most of the monuments in film, but don't know how well they will turn out.