A big day and then some. We did not sleep well on the overnight train from Edinburgh to London, but it was on time and we had an easy walk from Euston station to St Pancras International to join up with the Kumuka tour which covers the next 10 days from London to Rome.
Our first experience on a very fast train, the Eurostar was enjoyable - very fast and smooth. Popping out of the Chunnel we arrived about an hour later in Paris for a bus tour around the centre of Paris where our main stop was the Eiffel Tower. Then a quick drop off at the hotel before a group dinner and then a river cruise on the Seine. This ended just near the Eiffel Tower so we were then treated to the tower alight.
Next morning we slept in a bit to catch up but successfully navigated the French language to order breakfast (simple but with very fresh orange juice and bread) and buy a Metro rail day pass. We readily worked out the Metro (being very similar to the London underground). We started the day by going to the top of the Arc de Triomphe - well worth the walk up 284 steps. It is clearly the centre of the city with 11 avenues, including the Champs des Élysées all radiating out from it. At the base of the Arc we were then entertained by the traffic on the roundabout that surrounds the Arc - thrill seekers one and all, and we even witnessed an accident - the roundabout has one every 11 minutes apparently! Then a walk down the Champs des Élysées , past the shops, Lamborgini dealership (as you do) and lots of people as we headed towards the gardens and Louvre. We did not go into the Louvre but were most impressed with the building within which there are 18 kms of hallways and displays. We then decided to walk on to Notre Dame which is actually on an island in the Seine River. A spot of clothes shopping then the Metro back to near our hotel, eating a very ordinary meal that just proved not all French food is fabulous.
And as with all major cities, it's a challenge finding toilettes.
Also just a note on hotel showers - I can say with every confidence that there have not been two showers the same on our travels. It's quite amazing the variety of controls showers can have. Who'd have thought?
Our summation of a very quick visit to Paris? It's a big city with mega traffic and a road system that seems to struggle. And drivers that really do what they wish. Not as clean as we'd hoped. But with absolutely iconic buildings - they don't come much more famous than the Eiffel Tower or The Louvre!
Now trying to have an early night for our big drive to Switzerland tomorrow.