Here we are in another year ends, Christmas is my favorite time of the year. What better way to do so than plan for it at Paris. I was in Paris because its always an excuse, because it was my twin boys 18 birthday wow!! now big men, times flies, and because it was the start of decorations, and Christmas market in the Champs-Elysées.
I took off from Vannes in Bretagne by car as usual, with my twins boys who goes to school here while the mom and older plus my father stays in Versailles waiting for the house to be sold(have two realtors working on it). The ride was as usual very smooth on the N165,N24,A84,and A13;gas was at 1,359 euros per liter and tolls were 14,30 euros one way. Still a lot cheaper than going by train or plane or else. We arrive Friday night late just enough to sleep and ready for Paris the next day.
The day was begun at the George V parking lot underground ,one of my favorites spots to park my car as in several others. Of course,no question we drive a car, yes and a Ford to boot,nothing is better than driving. You see all, and visit all nooks and crannies of the city at your will .
We then proceeded to a huge visit and Dad/Mom hefty price tag at Virgin Megastore (now closed) at the Champs-Elysées. This was great as usual and they got their X360 videogame machine plus all kinds of tapes,and videogames. We then walk the Champs-Elysées just like tourists do, and it was fun, we heard/saw folks from many countries enjoying themselves in the big avenue; and lots of shopping too, who says there is a crisis lol!!!
We walk as far as the place de la concorde, and the big wheel or grande roue was there flashing already a Paris landmark and waited by many. The chalets or market stalls were abundant and nice with wood from the French vosges , all kinds of them, and they were already busy with the crowds. We notice some over pricing, as my oldest son work in the business of souvenirs stores in Versailles, there the prices sometimes are half of those in Paris ::) However, it seems of little importance as folks were gathering gadgets all over the avenue.
We visit the Sport24 store to see some nice shirts by Real Madrid but again a bit overprice than I could pay in Madrid ::) The main point was the walk and seeing all the lights been ready,and the festive mood of the people, lots of French kisses on the avenue, young lovers abound….
Finally it was time to head back, to find something to eat, well we were in tourist heaven so not much choice,however, we had eaten at Pizza Pino at montparnasse before and it was good portions at good pricing so we opted for it. Pizza Pino has a branch in the Champs-Elysées right in front of l’entrecote and next to pizza roma, cant missed it. The food and service was as always with us very good, the whole gang really enjoy it, the prices were a bit higher than montparnasse but then again you are in tourist central::: The experience was good overall. two bottles in pitchers of beaujolais nouveau, four goat cheese pizzas, one bruno and one palerme, ice creams,and creme brulée, plus cafe plaisirs-2 with sweets, plus 3 reg coffees, for 32.20 euros per person. We left happy as it was, also, my twins birthdays and as they wanted to shop for their gadgets there we ate on site.
We did not finish shopping we went across to FNAC another dept store , at the Champs-Elysées, and we purchase two samsung digital cameras there plus more cd, and dvds tapes for the kids and Dad ::) We then went over to the George V parking garage got in my car and drove over to the port de Suffren where the boat Maxim’s is anchored.
The boat Maxim’s is a double decker maroons off the Seine just below the Tour Eiffel, and own by Pierre Cardin. Every year I get invitations to the tastings of wine and goodies there, you can eat on the upper deck or just buy and go home. Over the years we have done both, this time we just bought our regular house wines from the Loire,beaujolais nouveau, and plenty of chocolates, French chocolates home made by artists of the genre, really good. The parking there is free with attendance,and you get to see and walk around the Eiffel tower which after so many trps over the years no need to go up again lol!
The Maxim’s as usual was packed, parking in and out difficult because by the quais is one way only same road, the tops of the Eiffel tower esplanade was full of folks and the glow of the tower was as always nice. We were loaded ,more broked ,but very happy as usual of our Paris escapades.
We headed home but knowing it was late and just the hour for folks coming in and out of Paris for the night activities we took the direction of La Defense, went around the N13 direction Suresnes and reach the A13 at just Versailles, nice ride by the road warrior once again. The day made more special because of my twins boys 18 birthday !!!
Enjoy Paris/Versailles combo, simply awesome. Cheers!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 