Strolling around Paris:
Leaving our trusty steed / hire van at the station, we caught the TGV (fast train) from Avignon to Paris, then the Metro (local trains) from Paris to our Marriott accommodation, a short stroll from the Arc de Triumph. Despite the fact that we often resembled somewhat of a bike bag, people and rolling luggage millipede, commuting from van in Avignon to hotel door in Paris was quite seamless.
The plan for the next few days, R&R and taking in the sites, sounds and gastronomy of Paris. The bikes would remain packed until our final morning when we plan to culminate our cycling adventure, recreating the Paris parade lap of the Tour de France, along the cobbles of the Champ Élysées, Place de Concorde and around the Arc de Triumph.
So until then it was mornings of coffee and croissants, sites of the Eiffel tower the Louvre and Parisian Gardens, and the chance just to relax and enjoy being in one of the worlds iconic cities.
Two unique Observations:
(Despite hearing this several times, I would not have believed this if I did not see it myself.. and hence can only suggest that you may experience the same)
1. Car parking in Paris is something to be seen. The ridiculously disproportionate number of car parks vs. cars results in any available space for parking being utilised. And by space I'm referring to the gap BETWEEN parked cars. Touch parking is the norm, in fact nudge parking is often the pre-requisite. And once parked, often that's where the car will stay, even for a few days until the car(s) on either side move.. Or are 'moved'. Hilarious and has to be seen to be believed. Even the inside of roundabouts are fair game.
2. The Metro (train network) is very, very good. We purchased a three day ticket and probably commuted 20-25 times over the four days in Paris. Not only were there stations and interconnecting lines wherever you need them, the trains are no later than four minutes apart. Often earlier!
Truly incredible.. you can walk to a platform, see the train you've missed and before you even had the chance to find a spot to wait the next train arrives.
Add to this, the trains are driverless and as a result run on time, to the minute efficiency. The doors all open and close automatically, but should you miss your stop, there is no stress because you simply go to the next station and the next train is no less than four minutes away. Peak or non peak time, the timings were pretty much the same. It felt strange but satisfying to plan your journey based solely on connecting routes and not having to worry about timetabling.