Here There and Everywhere

Evening in Paris

We are so excited. No, it is not our first trip to Paris, but we are so excited to be back and so excited that our family will be joining us in 12 short hours. Meanwhile, just steps from our hotel:

We are exhilarated, and we are also operating on fumes, so we decide to walk down Av. Marceau to the Seine and take it from there.

Just to the left of the Pont d’Alma as we come down Av Marceau are the Bateaux Mouches, and one is loading up now. It is loading up busloads of people, so we buy our tickets and hang back, taking our chances that the next boat, so close to dinner time, will be less crowded.

It pays off. This is a great idea. It is shaded, there is a tree-lined park along the bank where the boats are loading, and a nice cool breeze, so welcome on this hot, stuffy day.

A line has formed, but as it turns out, the gate opens close to where we are standing and we get to choose. We choose the back of the boat, which turns out to be a good choice. Most head for the front, and there are plenty of seats for everyone. The boats are on a schedule, and another is coming in to offload, so ours has to take off without a full load. We are not complaining.

This is the perfect activity for an exhausted, jet-lagged couple with too much adrenaline to sleep. There is so much going on along the banks. We see all kinds of boats, restaurant boats, stands going up for the Olympic Games, (just weeks away,) bridges, and beautiful buildings.

I am guessing this might be the bridge where the press will photograph the boats coming through with the Olympic teams. you can see the stands built on the bridge. We hear grumbles that the Parisians are not happy to be disrupted for the Games.

I think this is where the French equivalent of Congress meets. Glorious location.

Musee D’Orsay

I may not be so good with monuments, but I’m pretty sure above is the Samaritaine Department store 😁.

Notre Dame of Paris, still under reconstruction from the terrible fire.

It is a beautiful hot evening. These girls have the right idea!

This building is on Isle de la Cite’; I think it might be the palace.

Our boat has turned around just past Isle St. Louis, and we have a good view of the Samaritaine. There is a restaurant on the top with great views.

I have no idea what this statue represents, and I find it weirdly joyful. Weird because in reality, having horse’s hooves at one’s back would be painful, but the body language is joyful. Below is the dome of the Invalides, Napoleon’s Tomb and the Museum of the Army.

Everyone wants their photo taken with the tower.

And as we land, the next boat is loading and ready to go.

August 12, 2024 Posted by intlxpatr | Adventure, Cultural, France, Living Conditions, Paris, Travel | Bateaux-Mouches | Leave a comment