Day 44 - Paris
Tuesday, August 14, 2018.
On our last day in Paris, we didn’t know what to do. Everyone wanted to visit a different museum. Daniel wanted to go to the Mineralogy museum, Sunshine to a Pop Art exhibition, Gregory to the Rodin museum, and I, the Orsay. We finally decided to see the interior of Notre Dame. The line wasn't too bad before noon, despite the hordes of Chinese tour groups cutting into the line. Afterward, we went to the archeological crypt to see the Roman and medieval ruins under Notre Dame. We spent about 2 hours there. It was definitely worth the time and money. I highly recommend this place to learn the history of how the city of Paris got started! There were images superimposed on the ruins so you could see how these places -- taverns, baths, docks -- would have looked when they were built.
Around 4:00pm we went to the Canal de San Martin to have lunch. Nothing special to see here but it was very pleasant place to walk and definitely a locals' favorite. Sunshine wasn’t feeling well so we decided to go home and rest. After a short nap, we had a nice dinner and then Gregory and I went out on a date. Ahhh, a date in Paris at night you're thinking. Well, I was thinking, I want a coffee or sleep but we had a few things to do. First, we went to Montparnasse and sat at the Cafe Select but since we never saw a waiter, we left. Then we went to see the Moulin Rouge, definitely not what I had expected -- not spectacular and definitely not an area for children! Finally, I told Gregorio that it was time to stop and find a Parisian cafe, have a coffee and watch people walk by, my favorite thing to do. So we headed back to St. Michel and sat at Cafe Saint-Severin. Surprise -- when the bill for two coffees came to 13 euros! We questioned the waiter who pointed out that the menu shows a surcharge of 1 euro after 9:00pm! On top of that, the thieves that own this cafe have a 15 euro minim for credit cards. The waiter claimed all that was "tout à fait normal." Gregory called bullshit. Well, that’s what you get for sitting in a touristy cafe in Paris!
Again, we left before midnight to catch our metro. As much as I enjoyed Paris, I was ready to leave the crowds, the smells and the high prices!
TIP: Save your ticket from the archeological crypt and get 2 euros off on your ticket to the Vedettes du Pont Neuf boat rides!
TIP: There are plenty of decently-priced cafes where you can pay normal prices AND use a credit card. The rule of thumb is that if you can see a famous square or monument, the price is jacked up. Sit at your own risk!
TIP: Remember, all restaurant and cafe prices are "service compris" meaning tip is included so if the service is just OK, don't leave extra. And if the prices are high, get your money's worth by enjoying yourself there -- once you buy something, you have the right to sit until the establishment closes!
On our last day in Paris, we didn’t know what to do. Everyone wanted to visit a different museum. Daniel wanted to go to the Mineralogy museum, Sunshine to a Pop Art exhibition, Gregory to the Rodin museum, and I, the Orsay. We finally decided to see the interior of Notre Dame. The line wasn't too bad before noon, despite the hordes of Chinese tour groups cutting into the line. Afterward, we went to the archeological crypt to see the Roman and medieval ruins under Notre Dame. We spent about 2 hours there. It was definitely worth the time and money. I highly recommend this place to learn the history of how the city of Paris got started! There were images superimposed on the ruins so you could see how these places -- taverns, baths, docks -- would have looked when they were built.
Around 4:00pm we went to the Canal de San Martin to have lunch. Nothing special to see here but it was very pleasant place to walk and definitely a locals' favorite. Sunshine wasn’t feeling well so we decided to go home and rest. After a short nap, we had a nice dinner and then Gregory and I went out on a date. Ahhh, a date in Paris at night you're thinking. Well, I was thinking, I want a coffee or sleep but we had a few things to do. First, we went to Montparnasse and sat at the Cafe Select but since we never saw a waiter, we left. Then we went to see the Moulin Rouge, definitely not what I had expected -- not spectacular and definitely not an area for children! Finally, I told Gregorio that it was time to stop and find a Parisian cafe, have a coffee and watch people walk by, my favorite thing to do. So we headed back to St. Michel and sat at Cafe Saint-Severin. Surprise -- when the bill for two coffees came to 13 euros! We questioned the waiter who pointed out that the menu shows a surcharge of 1 euro after 9:00pm! On top of that, the thieves that own this cafe have a 15 euro minim for credit cards. The waiter claimed all that was "tout à fait normal." Gregory called bullshit. Well, that’s what you get for sitting in a touristy cafe in Paris!
Again, we left before midnight to catch our metro. As much as I enjoyed Paris, I was ready to leave the crowds, the smells and the high prices!
TIP: Save your ticket from the archeological crypt and get 2 euros off on your ticket to the Vedettes du Pont Neuf boat rides!
TIP: There are plenty of decently-priced cafes where you can pay normal prices AND use a credit card. The rule of thumb is that if you can see a famous square or monument, the price is jacked up. Sit at your own risk!
TIP: Remember, all restaurant and cafe prices are "service compris" meaning tip is included so if the service is just OK, don't leave extra. And if the prices are high, get your money's worth by enjoying yourself there -- once you buy something, you have the right to sit until the establishment closes!
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| Canal St Martin |
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| Selfie at the Hotel de Ville |
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| Lili finally got her Parisian cafe experience, complete with surly waiter! |
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