From Church To Topless Dancers.......Paris Day 4

Our fourth day in Paris began like most other mornings with French coffee along with fruit and yogurt in our apartment.  While I expected to find yogurt in Greece, since after all Greek yogurt is all the rage I had no idea that the French were SO into yogurt too. We literally found aisles of the stuff in the grocery store.  Yogurt with fruit for breakfast and with candies and sweet toppings for desserts. And it was very cheap in comparison to the prices we pay here in Panama.  We paid as little as 18 cents for one yogurt and as much as 50 cents for Oikos Greek yogurt.  We pay two to three times that much in Panama since the stuff has to be imported and kept cold throughout the whole journey.

We walked over to Notre Dame Cathedral again to see if we could climb the bell towers but once again the line was long.  With too many other things we still wanted to see we gave up on that idea since this was our second attempt to climb up among the gargoyles.  Since Luxembourg Gardens was on our list of must-see's and just happened to be free, we made our way over there.  The 23 hectare park was a peaceful refuge in the middle of the busy city of Paris.  On the premises sits a palace by the same name which now serves as a government building. The lovely park was green and lush with plenty of seats perfect for resting to enjoy the serenity of nature. After a bit of people watching, looking over maps to plan out the rest of our day, and chillaxing we took off for more adventures.

Luxembourg Palace

 

Luxembourg Gardens

Another View

 

After that we headed over to the world famous Champs Elysees boulevard for an afternoon stroll. The avenue runs over a mile in length and sits between the famous Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.  The lower end of the boulevard contains a large green space which serves as home to The Grande Palace and The Petit Palace, along with a theater, monuments and fountains. Lovely as that may be I needed to stroll along the boulevard window shopping where the rich and famous play.  Among the high dollar retail were names like: Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Hugo Boss, Adidas, Benetton, Abercrombie & Fitch, Lexus, Prada, Peugeot and so many more.

More Garden Views

Expensive Real Estate Nearby

Champs Elysees....Famous Shopping Area

 

More Shopping

 

High Dollar Office Space Atop Stores



We stopped to share a sausage crepe at a nearby park before deciding on our next move.  Since our apartment was located near the famous Place de Vogues we stopped by for a look before heading back.  As we walked along the narrow, cobblestone street that led to our apartment a street cleaner passed by.  Also common were trash trucks picking up different bins for recycling.  Here in Europe we noticed that everything seems to be recycled with massive bins to hold each category. And we noticed since gasoline prices are high here, many cars were electric.  Car charging stations were commonly seen along the roadside, as were motorized bicycles and scooters.

Trash Pickup

Making Our Crepe

Waiting In Line For Crepes

 



Prior to leaving Panama for this trip we debated over and over IF we should buy tickets to see the famous Moulin Rouge.  Silly as it seems I really didn't even know the place existed until my nephew's wife posted a photo on Facebook. Of course I'd heard of the movie version but didn't realize it was patterned after the real thing that still exists today!

Since Moulin Rouge sits in the Montmartre district a bit outside of Paris, we had to plan our evening.  After resting up back in the apartment we showered and dressed up for a night out on the town. Off we headed on several Metro's to that part of the city. 

At first glance Montmartre was a stark difference from Paris.  The clean streets gave way to trash that framed the rows of sex shops, strip clubs, bars and touristy shops.  The Moulin Rouge building was in front of us but since our tickets were for the 9pm show we first had more exploring to do.  As we headed up the steep hill full of shops trying to get money from tourists there it was in the distance.  A huge, white church sat perched high on the hill in front of us. It goes by the name Sacre Coeur (or sacred heart) we found our way to the funicular (or cable car) that would take us up there.  Even taking the easy way out there were still hundreds of steps leading up to the entrance to the building. After touring the church Clyde snapped a bunch of photos before we made our way down the hill again.

Funicular Or Cable Car Up The Mountain To Sacre Coeur

 

Sacre Coeur

Inside



View From The Top

Nearby were large bins of bargain priced clothing at a place known to the locals called SYMPA. When a Parisian says that something is "sympa," it means it' s great and bargains in this part of town are just that.  Early on Saturday morning huge trucks come by and dump off massive amounts of closeouts of brand name, designer stuff into large bins on the street.  Prepared locals flock to the store armed and ready to rummage through the large bins. Since we were traveling light with only carry on we certainly couldn't shop but it was fun to watch as people took advantage of great deals.

 Shopping At SYMPA

 

Chocolate Shop.....Yes This Is Made Of Chocolate

Chocolate Statues

 

Chocolate Eiffel Tower.....Of Course We Had To Buy A Few Chocolates



Moulin Rouge (which means red windmill) can't be missed since the building sports a large, red windmill on top.  The current show called "Feerie" features 80 artists recruited world wide.  With 1000 costumes full of feathers, rhinestones, sequins, glitter and more the performers dazzle audiences with fabulous routines.  The show has a little of everything from dancing, singing, a circus act, miniatures horses, skaters and even a women in a tank of water swimming with snakes. The famous can-can numbers are done topless for a timeless display of enthusiasm that's been delighting audiences for many years. Add to that 80 musicians along with 60 singers for a spectacular extravaganza of entertainment.

Moulin Rouge.....Not Allowed To Take Photos Inside

 

We were escorted to a table for six and placed in the front row overlooking the stage.  The white tablecloths complimented the red lamp shades that topped off the cute lamps on each table. We had stepped back in time as the walls were covered with red flocking taking us back to yesteryear.  Soon we were joined by other tablemates, carefully squeezed in tightly.  Another couple was from the US and we chatted with them in English. The third couple did not speak English an no conversation was exchanged.

My Handsome Hubby

 

Sex Shops In Montmartre, France

A Pink, Eiffel Tower Shaped Vibrator - Dildo



Our ticket prices included a large bottle of champagne which my husband insisted he didn't like. But before the show was over the bottle seemed to have emptied out, and surely I didn't drink it all myself. The fabulous show lasted for two hours of non-stop action without an intermission. Before leaving we both needed to stop in the bathroom before exiting the building.  As I waited in line for the ladies room before long I was heading to a stall.  I followed another lady to the end of the large room but suddenly was blocked by a window.  A lovely, blondish women was looking back at me through the window as I felt the glass, thinking "I don't know how to get out of here."  All of a sudden I realized that the image facing me was wearing the exact same clothes that I was.  Oh my, I was stuck looking into a mirror at myself, trying to figure my way out of the bathroom.  Perhaps, just maybe I'd had too much champagne?  I had to laugh after finding my way into the stall to take a leak and left the room still laughing out loud.  Fortunately for me what happens in Paris stays in Paris, unless one is silly enough to describe her faux pas in a blog for the whole world to read.

Despite the champagne we managed to find our way back to the Metro and found our apartment once again.  The next morning we packed our bags and headed to the airport seeing the streets of Paris for the last time, on this our first trip. From here we're heading to Barcelona, Spain for the next leg of our journey.  Knowing that we'll be back someday we never bid goodbye to Paris but instead used the local phrase "au revoir."  Simply put this means "until we meet again," because everyone that goes to Paris will return someday, and so will we.....along the gringo trail.














http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_de_la_Concorde
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champs-%C3%89lys%C3%A9es
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_de_Triomphe
http://www.moulinrouge.fr/?lang=en

The Palace Of Versailles.......An Opulent Nightmare

From a distance the golden gates glistened as the sun reflected off their magnificent rails, and we knew we had arrived at the Palace of Versailles in France.  Originally built as a hunting lodge in 1694 by King Louis XIII, it was later expanded to what is now one of the largest palaces in the world. With some 700 rooms, 60 staircases and 1,200 fireplaces it sits on over 30,000 acres of land.  It's no wonder that when Marie Antoinette lived there she had her own house built far away from the palace where she could enjoy a simple life.

In the months prior to this trip I came across the palace as a must-see while in Paris, and quickly put it on our list.  Our day in Versailles began with a 30-40  minute rather slow train ride from Paris to the wealthy village of Versailles. The double decker train was decorated with graphics about the palace and even came equipped with an accordion player to entertain the tourists. After exiting the train we followed the crowds up the hill where the massive palace was visible in the distance. 

On The Train To Versailles

Garden Graphics On Walls & Ceiling

Along With Accordion Player



While we managed to escape long lines on most of the popular attractions throughout this trip, today was not going to be one of those times. The mile long line of tourists snaked around in loop de loops and we could barely find the end.  "But wait, " I said to my dear husband Clyde, "we have the Paris pass which allows us to skip the line."  Clyde found a worker who was herding the tourists like cattle and asked her, "where do we go with the Paris pass?"  She told him that we were indeed in the correct line so apparently we'd have to wait just like everyone else.  As the line moved and we came closer to the entrance to the palace I reached into my pocket to get out my Paris museum pass, which would grant me free access to the palace.  To my shock it was gone!  Apparently when I pulled out the plastic, tri-folded holder to pull out the pass for the train it dropped out. Shocked since this is NOT me.....I'm the careful one that is sure to put everything away safely. I think what happened is the day before while at the Louvre I used the pass for free entry and neglected to tuck it back into the plastic sleeve properly.  Instead I just put it in between the three folds and stuck it into my pocket, planning to fix it later. So as much as I was pissed I had to realize.....that stuff happens and I had to just make the best of it and get over it. 

Long Lines Outside Palace

 



Once we reached the ticket booth Clyde purchased a "full pass" for me which would allow entry to all buildings on the estate along with the gardens. He showed his museum pass to the ticket agent, we picked up our free audio guides and off we went to explore the world famous palace.  Upon entering each room we pressed the corresponding number on our audio guides and listened to the explanation of each room. The rooms were large with high ceilings covered in gaudy paintings, gold leaf, statues, chandeliers and so much more.  From the massive windows we looked out onto the gardens that were so expansive this was the best vantage point to view their full splendor. The gardens were gorgeous with beautiful fountains, a lake and canal running through them and hundreds of lovely statues.

In Front Of The Golden Gates

Outside The Palace

Yes It's BIG!

 

 Gold Everywhere! And Flocked Pink Walls?

 

The Famous Hall Of Mirrors

There Was A Bed Behind That Curtain

 

 

After completing our self guided tour of the palace we headed outside to the gardens only to find yet another ticket booth.  The Paris pass covers entrance to the grand palace along with Marie Antoinette's house but does NOT cover entry to the gardens.  Now the catch here is that unless a tourist happens to have a helicopter at their disposal, they MUST walk through the gardens to get to Marie Antoinette's house. So Clyde was forced to purchase a ticket to the gardens for an additional 9 euros.  We could barely see the house in the distance as we watched hoards of tourists head over in that direction.  Nearby was yet another line where visitors were boarding a train, an apparent shortcut to the farm and house miles away.  But as we tried to board the train we were stopped by a guard who told us we'd have to purchase another ticket.  We passed on the train and decided to walk along with many others who chose the same. We walked miles past sheep grazing on the farm alongside meticulously manicured landscapes until we arrived at the smaller dwelling.  Quickly we toured the property and decided to head back toward the palace to find the exit.

The Garden View From A Window

Another View....Yes They're HUGE!

Many Fountains

Fountains & Statues Everywhere

 



Once again we walked miles heading back toward the palace along the same road that the train travels.  Eventually we came to a guard gate that would allow us to take a shortcut through the gardens.  The guards asked to see the ticket we purchased for the gardens.  I showed my ticket but Clyde couldn't find his so we were told we could NOT reenter the gardens.  Instead we were directed to another exit which was a longer walk but there seemed to be no other option.  So we walked a few miles out of our way to get back  to the area where the palace sat, just trying to find the exit. 
But once again we were stopped by five security guards that requested to see our tickets.  Clyde explained that he misplaced his but we showed them mine.  Again we were told that we could NOT go through this exit and were directed another way.



Marie Antoinette's House In Background

Inside Her Simple Abode

Sitting Room

 

A Golden Staircase Fit For A Princess

At this point we had been walking in the hot sun for over five hours. We were hot, sweaty, thirsty, tired, lost and just wanted to leave this freaking  place already, but that didn't seem possible.  Expecting this would happen as we approached the guards I suggested to Clyde that we create a scene.  One of the guards was the same girl that SOLD Clyde the ticket to the gardens in another area.  He asked her IF she remembered him since he also asked her for some other information and she said, "yes," she did.  So she verified that he DID buy a ticket to enter the gardens, but now they refused to let us reenter them to gain access to the exit.  He raised his voice to the guards explaining loudly that all we wanted to do was get out of this place.  I began to yell, the scream and cry saying, "all we want to do is get out of this f_cking place and you won't let us."  The tears seemed to work and one of the guards agreed to let us out.  What a nightmare......the feeling of being trapped in this massive estate with no way out!

Although the Palace of Versailles is beautiful, opulent and a sight to see according to us it's a tourist trap to suck money out of visitors by charging them for everything along the way. I would not recommend it to anyone. And later that night when I read the information that came with the Paris pass it said that the "skip the line option" was NOT available during peak times at the popular attractions leaving us to believe that the Paris Pass really didn't live up to our expectations either.

The palace of Versailles was more like the palace of hell that will let you in but not let you out unless you keep giving them more money.  It was a poorly run operation that had one ticket booth to serve thousands of tourists.  Even the restrooms were few with long lines for both men and women, trying to serve thousands of tourists.

We were thrilled to finally leave that place.  Back at the train station we discovered that our train/metro pass seemed to work on the way over to Versailles, but would not work to get us back to Paris. The free pass that came with our Paris pass was valid for unlimited public transportation in zones 1-3 which covered most of Paris. Since Versailles was out of zone 3 we had to buy a ticket back which was only a few euros so no a big deal.

Once back in Paris our plan was to stop for a few groceries and to take back to the apartment.  But little did we know that all stores are closed on Sunday, so we had to come up with another plan.  Found a hole in the wall restaurant where we shared a meal of chicken cordon blue that came with fries, salad and a drink for around 11 euros. On our way back to the apartment we stopped at a chocolate shop for a few treats.  Like many Parisians the clerk at the counter spoke fluent English.  I asked her where she learned to speak English and she said that kids in France take 4-5 years of English while in school.  We're constantly amazed to find that so many other countries take advantage of the young mind and teach them several languages in school.

Near The Eiffel Tower Was A Man Selling Bunnies

 

After resting in the apartment for a while we headed back out to see the Eiffel Tower at night, since someone told us that was a must see too. Temperatures had cooled off and we found a park bench with a tower view and waited until it got dark, well after 9 pm.  I had read that the tower lights flicker on the hour we had to wait patiently until 10pm. Clyde was falling asleep after a long tiring day but came to life again at the lovely light show that lit up the massive tower.





Under The Nearby Tower

 

 

 

 

Night View Of Tower

 





After three days in Paris I've fallen in love again with my wonderful husband and the Parisian way of life. Perhaps because I packed scarves to make me look and feel like a local I could easily settle in and spend the rest of my days here.  The tiny cobblestone streets, the bakeries on every corner with cheap, delectable delights, the assortment of crepes and so much more. This was our first trip to Europe ever and we've realized that we have so much to see, and so much to learn.  Everything here is done on foot with a wonderful, efficient Metro system.  Many of the locals ride bikes or scooters since traffic is heavy and it's much easier to get around this way.  The cars that are here are tiny Smart cars or electric ones with recharging stations all over the city. Gas prices are high so alternative energy is much smarter.  About the only negative in Paris is that everyone seems to smoke on the streets, although it's never allowed inside.

Patrons Sit Facing The Street To People Watch

They Looked Like Students At School

 

Keeping Paris Clean

 

Public Drinking Fountains Everywhere

 

 



Back in the apartment we cranked up the heat to take out the chill as we sipped on cheap wine which helped us relax from another long day. We fell asleep so thankful that we're able to explore this great, big world of ours during our retirement years.....along the gringo trail.













http://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover-estate/the-palace/the-palace/the-hall-of-mirrors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Versailles
http://en.chateauversailles.fr/the-palace-
http://primaryfacts.com/2149/palace-of-versailles-facts-and-information/