France

France is one of the most popular destinations on Earth, thanks to a city of love and lights like Paris. Western Europe's largest city, Paris is home to some of the most famous France attractions including the Louvre, Champs-Elysées and of course the Eiffel Tower.

My Trips

• 2004 March 27 (1 Day): While I was in Brussels, Belgium, visited the City of Paris on a one day trip.
• 2017 November 09 to 11 (3 Days): Spent few days as part of my Europe Bus Tour.

Visited Places/Attractions

• Paris (Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame, Champs-Elysées , Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triumph, Eiffel tower)
• Nice (Place Masséna)
• Cannes (Palais des Festivals)
• Èze (Parfumerie Fragonard)

Travelogue

• See Europe Bus Tour page for my bus tour through France.

Below is an account of my one-day trip to the City of Paris on 2004 March 27, Saturday while I was working and living in Brussels, Belgium.

A day in Paris

Woke up at early morning for my much awaited Paris tour. The first bus came at exact time and I was in Midi station well before time. Boarded the Thalys highspeed train and within one and half hours I landed in Paris after a very comfortable journey that was matching with air travel.

Took some time to get a grasp of Nord station and then went out looking for the city open bus tour. Found it easily and took the ticket for 24 Euros. It was a hop on - hop off service with an open deck from which watching the city was very convenient. I met two Indian guys and an Indian family and spent some time with them also. Since I wanted to go back by evening train, that Indian family told me not to hop off at every stop because that will take much time. That was true.

So we first stopped at Louvre Museum and spent a lot of time in the garden first. Then entered the museum but just saw the famous painting of Mona Lisa by L. da Vinci. Then saw the other places like 'Place de la Concorde', 'Notre-Dame', 'Arc de Triomphe', etc from the bus without getting down. Then went to see the Eiffel tower. There was a long quee to get on top of it by lift and the view from its top was worth that wait. It was really amazing to see the city in a clear sky. By the time we finished taking photos, it was already late and I just made it to the station to catch my train and thus without seeing places in two other circuits of the bus. I was back in my studio in Brussels by night.