Planes Trains and Automobiles: Paris - Champs Elysee and the Eiffel Tower

Paris - arrival

After the train trip from Montreux via Geneva (whcih was very comfortable in 1st class by the way!) we had a little wander around the Notre Dam - Saint Michel area where we were staying. We found a chocolateir - alegedly THE place to go for chocolate in Paris - they had a wierd 'character' in their front window made entirely from chocholate...

As we wandered up to the Seine, we caught out first glimpses of the Notre Dam Catherdral.

A picturesque view along the river of the Notre Damn

Jemima insisted on getting a Red Beret - SOOO Paris, and it really suited her - she wore if for the rest of our stay in Paris - it actually made it easy to spot her at a distance.

I continued my quest for good coffee - sadly none to be had on out first morning in Paris - most was barely more than hot milk..

Paris Christmas Market - Champs Elysee

At the Concorde end of the Champs Elysee, there is a large Ferris wheel, which is apparently temporary and they move it four times a year - it's only at this spot during the Winter and Summer seasons. It makes me wonder why it took the Melbourne Star so long (years) to assemble and repair the wheel at Docklands in Melbourne.

The obelisk at the South-Eastern end of the Champs Elysee is the oldest thing in Paris - dating from around 1200 BC making it more than 3000 years old. The original piece starts just above the golden section at the base.

Along the Concorde end of the Champs Elysee is a Christmas market similar to the one in Montreux. There were a lot of similar stalls, so I figured I'd just shot you a smattering of some of them.

Babushka dolls

Christmas decorations

Illuminated trees along the Champs Elysee

The chocolate tools and 'hardware' that we saw at Montreux, was also available in Paris

There were food stalls where they were selling fish cooked over an open fire in these interesting contraptions

Lots of pastries and sweets

There was a Christmas fair section with animatronic animals and scenes.

Max had a go at being a muscle man!

Again with the Penguins! They don't have penguins in this hemisphere - apparently I need to talk to the French education department too!

Champs Elysee with the Ferris wheel at the end

Looking North West toward the Arc De Triomphe

The French tricolour flying proudly in the Arc De Triomphe

Eiffel Tower

The following morning, we were booked to do a Eiffel Tour tour. Unfortunately, it was a 'bit' foggy and the view particularly from the very top level was obscured. Still from the second level up, the views were reasonable.

Looking along the Seine toward Notre Dam

Jemima had no problems going near the edge of the second level, but Max wasn't keen so he stayed as far away from the edges as possible.

See the fog obscuring the top of the tower.

Proof we were there!

Sharon and Max elected to stay on the second level while Jemima and I took the lift to the very top. From a view perspective, it was disappointing, but it was a once in a lifetime experience so I'm glad I did it.

Jemima practising her inner Ansel Adams with her camera

Jemima and me at the very top!

There were selling (yummy) Champagne at the very top level; it was expensive but what the hey - you only live once, so I splurged.

The open section at the very top was a bit chilly

We found the marker for Canberra, although I doubt it's accuracy given the makers indicating the direction to Sydney and the Gold Coast were metres away - I would think at this distance from Australia, all of the cities along the East Coast of Australia would be mere centimetres apart and the bearing from the Eiffel Tower would be almost the same....