Can you believe with all my travels I had never been to Paris?  I had always romanticised that I would go to Paris with my beloved, that someone special.

All that is missing is a poodle!!!

Unfortunately, Ian was unable to come with me, he works for an evil company, that forces him to take all his leave at Christmas. Also, to be honest, walking the Camino de Santiago is not really is thing; within the first hour he would probably be bored and ready to kill me for my snail like pace. So, I guess that someone special is myself.  You can now put the sick bags away, lots of laughs.

Proof I was in Paris!!!

I had initially arrived in Paris, feeling very lethargic, after my early 4.30 am start.  On the plane flight I had even been contemplating just spending the day resting at the hostel, getting ready for my mahoosive walk; however, after being evacuated out of the airport, I changed my mind.

It is surprising what a bit of adrenaline can do for you!

Can you believe this actually came all the way from Luxor?

After dumping my ruck sack at the hostel, I picked up a free tourist map and decided to make the most of my first visit to Paris.

The Eiffel Tower

I wasn’t very original with my first destination, I headed to the Eiffel Tower.  I could appreciate the great engineering effort that had gone into it,  but sadly for me it was one of those tourists attractions that you have seen a million pictures of that doesn’t quite live up to its expectation in real life.

The Eiffel Tower

I looked at the thousands of people queueing to go to the top and after my earlier scare at the airport, I just didn’t want to be hanging around a lot of people and decided to give it a miss.

Big Wheel

I just wanted to wander the Parisien streets.  I started strolling along the River Seine, but the back streets soon drew me in with their gorgeous, old houses; beautiful ornate windows and sill gardens;

A Beautiful Window

Typical French cafes with red chairs and red canopies, pass the many stunning museums and gardens filled with summer flowers.

Museo del Petit Palais

I didn’t realise I was on the Champs Elysees, so when I looked left to cross the road and saw the Arc de Triomphe I was just blown away by the sheer size of it.

Spotting the Arc de Triomphe at Traffic Lights

I wandered passed the Luxor obelisk,

Stormy Skies

and finally ending up the Lourve.  Before I knew it I had lost 6 wonderful hours just happily, wandering Paris.

The Lourve

What a lovely afternoon,  why had I waited so long to visit beautiful Paris?  

Tourist having a photo holding the Lourve

The morning started out pretty bad, but that one afternoon made up for it.  I didn’t find Paris the city of love, probably because Ian was not there to share it with me (get that sick bag out again), but I certainly fell in love with Paris. 

Next time I want to explore over that bridge!

Hopefully, I will be back soon!!