What should we do today?

After sleeping for almost 11 hours, we both woke up refreshed and ready for a day of sightseeing.

First of all, we needed to refuel. Breakfast is included in our room rate and there was a good variety to choose from; it also gave us the chance to work out what we were going to do with the day.

Although we have both been before, we decide to visit the Louvre Museum. It is only a 20 minute walk from our hotel, although we need to walk past all the expensive designer shops on the way.

Top Tip – buy a ticket online for a specific time as the queue to clear security is smaller.


We decided we weren’t going to walk around the whole of the museum as that would take us all day; instead, we picked out our favourite paintings and sculptures, or the more famous ones, and went for a stroll.






The Moaning Lisa, I mean Mona Lisa, was surrounded by hundreds of tourists taking selfies. All I can say is, it ain’t that great! And, now, to take a picture you have to queue like you're at an airport. Taking a picture outside the line means you get shouted at. After a few hours, we decided to call it quits.

As it was cold, but clear, we decided to take a boat cruise down the Seine. It was another 20 minute walk through the Tuileries Garden, a public garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, and along the banks of the river. We arrived at Bateaux Mouches, one of the most famous boat operators in Paris, just in time to grab a baguette and board the 4pm cruise.

We started by sitting on the top so we could take some photographs, but it was pretty cold. We lasted until the boat turned around, passing by the remains of Notre Dame Cathedral. Thankfully the beautiful Rose window was undamaged in the fire.





The boat tour lasted just over an hour and took us back to where we departed, about a 10 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. We decided it was now or never as the weather was due to turn in the following days.


All I can say is the Eiffel Tower is not what it used to be! It is now a haven for cheap tat, which along with the increased security, has ruined it quite significantly. There is now a large perimeter wall and lots of security checks before you can even buy your ticket. When we arrived the sun was starting to set but after a 45 minute wait, it was dark by the time we finally made it to the next queue. Only two of the floors were open which was disappointing, but the views were still spectacular.




As it was getting colder, we decided to walk towards the hotel and find a restaurant on the way. Thankfully, Paris and food go hand in hand so it didn't take too long. We found a beautiful French restaurant called La Belle Ferronniere and so it began, Iain's love of French onion soup. Main course for me was duck, followed by creme brulee.




By the end of the meal, we were both stuffed and wandered slowly back to the hotel for some respite and to plan our day tomorrow.


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