My daughter and I embarked on a weekend trip to Paris and enjoyed the pre-Olympic atmosphere
At lunch time on Thursday 16th May, we arrived at Orly airport Paris, prior to our holiday, we organised a transfer through booking.com and the driver picked us up from the airport and took us to our hotel IBIS, situated in Rue de Cambronne. The busy junction, was bustling with restaurants, cafes and boulangerie’s. Breakfast was included on our holidays, so each morning we ate from the buffet. Loads to choose from, and we piled our plates with the many different pastries and breads on offer. The first night we dined al fresco and I tucked into a delicious fish and chips and I savoured the local red wine on offer. The following evening, we went slightly further afield and ate in a beautiful restaurant called Villa Verde. This restaurant was situated beside the Eiffel Tower, a mere fifteen-minute walk from our hotel. The friendly waitress encouraged us to step inside, and we weren’t disappointed with the service or the food. Our starter was Focaccia and for mains we had Gnocchi and Pizza Margherita. The red wine was Emilie, ruby red in colour and rich in taste.
Gustav Eiffel was the mastermind behind this wonderful icon, his company built the tower between 1887 and 1889. Situated on the Champs de Mars, it stands at 1083 feet tall. Tickets were sold at half price for under 21’s (approximately €14) and full price for adults. We stepped into the crammed lift, but it was worth the journey to the second floor. I could see the whole of Paris, including the Arc de Triomphe. Another lift took us to the Summit, the very top of the Eiffel Tower. After looking around we descended to the second floor and walked the 600 steps to the ground. My legs almost gave way when I reached the bottom.
Arc de Triomphe
From the Eiffel Tower, we strolled the four kilometres to the Arc de Triomphe and then on to the Louvre. Connecting to twelve avenues, it is centred in the Place Charles de Gaule. Names are engraved on the walls, of soldiers that battled and died in the French revolution and the Napoleonic wars. It was originally designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806. Parades are held here for the annual bastille Day military parade.
Hunger set in, so we left the Arc and proceeded down the Champs Elysee, but made a quick stop to browse at the beautiful but very expensive shops. Then onto the tacky shops to purchase some souvenirs to bring back home. We stopped at Smith and Co. bookstore for lunch, situated near the Louvre.
The Louvre
The Louvre Palace stretches for miles, from the Jardin de Tuileries to the church of St. Germain. It was initially used as a royal residence but now it is a museum, and people flock from around the world to see the famous Mona Lisa painting. I have viewed this painting on previous occasions, quite small in measurements, but it was on my bucket list. This time I wanted to walk around the beautiful palace and museum grounds.
Our final evening was spent watching the Eiffel Tower lighting up and mingling with the crowd. A stage was set up in front of the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic Games opening ceremony took place here.
Travel file: www.loveholidays.ie for the accommodation and flight
www.booking.com for transfer
coughlan holidays 