Although a cool rainy morning we were the first to arrive for our Canal Martin cruise. The cruise begins on the quay near The Bastille. Note the Metro (subway) line going over the river.
While waiting, we observed some of the boats moored on the Seine River. Waits for mooring can take up to five years.
if you look back at the top photo, the boat starts the cruise entering the opening under the bridge (not really expecting that) and stays “under ground” for quite a while. Cruise along with us a bit.
And, finally back “above ground” and then through a series of locks, swinging bridges and bridges that raise while observing Paris life and buildings on either side of the river.
The cruise lasted several hours, but with going through the locks and watching the activities on either side of the river, time goes by quickly with the only distraction being the announcer who droned on and on and on.
Leaving the boat we walked to the Metro station in the rain and went back to our hotel after a quick lunch stop. And then later to a new neighborhood for us to try the restaurant Thoumieux recommended by friends. The street on which it is located has a nice view of the Eiffel Tower.
And now our last day in Paris and I am finally over my cold, and it is pouring rain. But I braved the elements (by myself for this excursion) and went on a mission to find the store Mademoiselle Chapeaux. Lille, the owner was in Naples at Marilyn’s (a ladies store) for a presentation on hats for the international women’s club. She gave me her card and invited me to visit when in Paris, and so I went! I was very warmly welcomed and shown the studio in back of the retail store. Following are a few pictures, and Lille is in the white dress.
And for our final evening in Paris, we ended on a very high note as Dominique invited us for dinner. True to form, the table setting was beautiful, the champagne and wines were perfect, the dinner absolutely delicious from start to finish and the guests charming, interesting and fun! And with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, there could not be a more perfect ending to a Paris visit! Following are a few pictures from the evening.
Thank you for that amazing boat tour under the streets of Paris… I never knew there was such an option. And the other pictures of the Tour Eiffel in the fog and night are precious too. What a wonderful way to see Paris…. I think by now, you deserve to receive the keys of the city for your many trips to the Ville Lumiere! I am glad your cold is over… no fun to travel when you have a cold… are you on your way back to the US or do we have another interesting stop along the way??
Donna my dear, did you at least buy a hat? As always, I feel very nostalgic about our years in Paris and so have enjoyed your travels as before. Mimi
I should have bought a hat, but I didn’t! I’m not sure I would have gotten it back to Naples intact!
One of the guests at Dominique’s dinner lives in Paris in spring and fall (3 months each stay). I admit I was a bit envious!
This post was extra special and interesting. I love following along with
you!
Thank you! I wish I had a friend like Dominique in every city we visited!
Donna : Quel magnifique appartement et quel beau plateau de fromage !!! La soiree a ete sans doute inoubliable . La visite chez Lille Mademoiselle Chapeaux est tres interessante.
Quelle coincidence de l’avoir rencontree chez Marilyn’s.
J’espere Donna que vous avez fait maintes progres en ‘francais” nous reparlerons de votre voyage avec beaucoup de details lors de notre prochaine reunion.
Bon retour. Je pars de Naples le 28 Juin jusqu’au mois d’Octobre.
Bisous
Daniele
Chère Daniele,
Je ne sais pas si j’avais fait des progrès parce que tout le monde a parlé en anglais à moi! Je pense qu’ils préfèrent leur anglais à ma français. Mais j’ai parlé en occasion!
Echoing Mimi’s comments exactly!
Interested to hear about the Azores too! Caroline
No hat for me! I buy hats and then never wear them.🫤 The Azores are coming up!