Paris – Le Marais

Friday 26th:

After managing to stuff everything into our bags, we went into the centre of  Orleans by tram. The tram stop was right outside the hotel. The cathedral was enormous and at the end of the main street into town. The (usually) picturesque area of town is a construction site as the main square is being paved. Many streets lead into the square and the corner buildings are very attractive.

Back to the hotel to collect the car and psyche ourselves up for the entry to Paris. Took 2 hours partly on the main national road and partly on the motorway.

Thank goodness that we were told that the car return was in through a petrol station to a car park. The GPS got us there, but there was no indication that we had to go into the garage. Very slow traffic into Paris, but the peripherique moved well. Only missed one turn once we got off the peripherique. We were sorry to hand the Clio back, it was a great car – over 1000km / tank, and less than 5 l/100km. Travelled just under 3,500 km, aircon on all the time.  Metro station close to the car drop off point, so we tried to put aside our paranoia about pick pockets on the train and set off, changing trains once and arrived at St Pauls Metro, a couple of minutes from the apartment. The owner has an antique teddy bear shop a couple of doors away, so we called in there  and were taken up to the apartment. I don’t think it is possible to find a smaller lift anywhere. 2 people and a suitcase  was all that would fit at one time. Apartment is very compact, (20 sq m), bed is a couch that slides into a double, dormer windows set into roof, so plenty of head hitting opportunities, tiny kitchen with small fridge, microwave, 2 hotplate cooktop and sink, separate toilet/basin and a shower past the kitchen, but a great little place.  Fortunately there is a portable airconditioner in the apartment, ‘cos it is still very hot and quite humid.

 

 

Saturday 27th:

Big storm last night. Had to close windows because of the heavy rain.

We must have been tired, ‘cos we slept in. Good views from our windows over the rooftops and down to adjacent streets. Couple across the road had what they thought was a private dinner outside on their tiny balcony. Didn’t know we were watching. Had a lazy morning reading and planning, small exploration around the closest streets, had lunch “at home”. Found the local Laundromat only a few minutes away. Until you travel, you don’t realise how you take clothes washing for granted.  30degrees today, so we also had a slow afternoon, after the washing, and recovered a bit. Planned the rest of our time here, but will have to rejig a bit ‘cos Friday is forecasted to be 40 degrees. Overnight lows in the mid 20s.

Good luck for school on Monday J&J. Sorry we missed you in  Paris.