Paris Day two

We finished off day one in Paris by meeting up with my niece Alison and her friend Kim for dinner at Le Coupe Cho. Alison and Kim had been in Paris for a few days already so they briefed us on various topics plus we thoroughly enjoyed just being together. Along with the company, the food was very good and was topped off by Kim ordering a "Floating Island" for dessert - photo below!

We walked to the restaurant and then back, enjoying the opportunity to stretch our legs and take in the city .

Day two started slowly - wow, we were all tired and slept in late. Over croissants from the local Boulangerie we plotted out the day's activities, bus tour and evening boat tour on the Seine and also how to get to all the places we wanted to go and enjoyed some local color.

First we hit the RER to a transfer station, then the Metro to Eiffel Tower. Walking the area around the tower provided many people-watching opportunities, a few are documented below. Then we boarded Bus 69 for it's tour around the city!

Bus 69 covers much of the city in it's normal route and for about 2 Euro quite a bit cheaper than the Hop on-Hop off buses. We found we really wanted to just take in the city and not get on and off, so this turned out to be a great choice for us. We had planned to visit many of the places we saw but added in the Marais district after touring it on the bus - alive, vibrant and lots to see and do.

Our first view of the Seine

Weddings happening all around the city.

We disembarked the bus at the famous cemetery ostensibly to tour it but found it was closed and decided a glass of wine was called for so we could sort out the next steps. Finding a glass of wine or cup of coffee in Paris is like falling out of bed - everywhere you turn there is a cafe or restaurant with outdoor seating!  Love it!!

We are "WHERE?"

Side street activity everywhere.

We Metro'd down to St Michel - Notre Dame to catch the boat ride. Notre Dame is celebrating it's 850 year anniversary and lots of events are happening there. We'll be back for a full time tour of Isle de Cite and Notre Dame itself later in the week.

The boat tour was very enjoyable, nice breeze, great views, and a bit of history from the guide as we burbled down the river. Shots below from the tour include the Eiffel Tower while it is doing it's 'on the hour' sparkling!

Partying on the Seine!

Notre Dame and sunset

Musee d' Orsay

The day was completed with another great dinner at a little restaurant just across from Notre Dame. Being Saturday night there were people everywhere and the Metro and RER were jammed when we went home about midnight. I wasn't sure I would last all day - but by golly I did! Being able to stop and have a glass of wine or cup of coffee and a small bite to eat sure helps.

Nightlife on the side streets.