Paris
Feb 16-19, 2018
UA1041 IAH-IAD, UA915 IAD-CDG, UA914 CDG-IAD, UA249 IAD-IAH
A winter trip to Paris has been a regular event for a number of winters. The warm weather usually arrives early in Paris and regardless, we still get out and explore. We walked the city from top to bottom, and made the most of our long weekend, always finding new spaces that we hadn’t been before, and retracing familiar places. As many times as we’ve been to Paris, it is a testament to the diverse options that we still manage to find new things to see and do.
Feb 17
After our overnight flights from North America, we checked into our hotel, and after a quick refresh, we headed out to explore the city, starting at Pere Lachaise Cemetery.
View of the Eiffel Tower from our hotel room
Starting to survey the many historic tombs in Pere Lachaise
Grave with a panoramic view
The grave of Jim Morrison of the Doors is a favourite spot
Another high point
One of the larger tombs
Victor Noir’s grave, with some parts shiny from visitors looking for good luck
Our first visit to the scenic Canal Saint-Martin
Tour boats ride through the canal locks that eventually leads to the Seine
Gare de L’Est train station
Completely redeveloped Les Halles complex was still a giant hole in the ground the last time we visited the area
Eglise St. Eustache still anchors the area through all the changes
Large canopy covering the retail and transportation space
Thumb statue outside of Georges Pompidou centre created by Artist Cesar Baldaccini
Hotel de Viles well lit with the late afternoon sun
Looking out on the very high waters of the Siene
Notre-Dame, still free of construction
Statue of Pope John Paul II outside Nortre-Dame
Water covering the lower walkways
Other side of Notre Dame from the river
Ending as we started with the view from our hotel now at sunset
Feb 18
After a good rest and a nice breakfast in the hotel, we headed out for another day of exploring. Although we didn’t set out with a destination in mind, we had a nice day of wandering.
Arc de Triomphe
Mix of old and new along the Champs-Elysees
The finer details of one of the many fountains
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Louvre Pyramid
With the bridge off limits, a new location for locks on Pont Neuf
More high water evidence
Pantheon
Luxembourg Garden
Horse rides in the garden
Hotel des Invalides
Up close to the Eiffel Tower, before we walk back to the hotel and complete the circuit
Larger boats, many not able to go further upstream with the high waters
High water remains of the path
Feb 19
After a nice breakfast at the hotel, we returned to the airport for our long flights back home.