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Paris . . .
Europe’s most beautiful
capital
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Before visiting Paris for the first time, I had, in my minds eye, little quaint streets with lots of cafes and the smell of French cigarettes everywhere.
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Paris was much more than I expected. Let me paint the picture of four days in Europe’s most beautiful capital!
Arrival into Charles De Gaul airport with an effortless transfer to the metro, having purchased four-day rambling tickets. This meant we travelled at whim to all parts of this great city, changing direction as the wind took us.
Hotel Pont Royal
Our hotel was a jewel in the crown, The Four Star Deluxe Hotel Pont Royal, just off the Rue de Bac and minutes from the Pont Royal. The welcome from the moment we stepped from the |
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taxi was laced with old-fashioned charm and perfect manners. This superb hotel boasts 75 guest rooms and 10 suites including one magnificent Penthouse suite with a unique view of The Paris Skyline. All bedrooms are equipped with Internet access, voice mail; data port should your stay be business related.
Marble bathrooms provide all the luxuries you would expect from this top class hotel. Starting at €370 per night, and adjacent to the famous Literary L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon Restaurant, this is an experience not to be missed
ON FOOT
It is worth noting that the best way to see Paris is on foot aided by the most efficient clean metro system, take your time and breath in the atmosphere, the genteel business ladies using old fashioned bicycles to get around, café owners taking time out during the morning to walk their dogs, the ten different pieces of advise you receive when looking for directions.
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The beauty of the architecture, so majestic and proud caused us to stay outside on the streets for longer than planned. A walk along the Seine on a crisp spring day from the Pont Royal all the way to the Eiffel Tower was a memory not to be forgotten. House Boats along the waterway were delightful with many quirky features.
One should do all the usual sites, the Eiffel Tower is very imposing, the Lourve is an enormous cavern of unforgettable art, the Arch de Triumph, climb all 248 steps to visit this twelve avenue roundabout of precision engineering, all well worth visiting
In all of Paris, two places captured my heart. First was Ile St.Louis, this is the heart of Paris. The island is connected by a bridge to Ile de la Cite, moments from the awesome Notre Dame Cathedral. The view of the Seine is excellent. The other is Montmarte, full of artists waiting to paint your portrait. Just steps from Sacre Coeur, this bohemian area offers a lifestyle that is infectious, you feel you could rent a little room, make beaded necklaces and stay forever.
We will return to Paris, that is a promise. The welcome from the Hotel Pont Royal and the beauty of this wonderful city demands it!
Further information on visiting Paris can be
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