Paris ..... part three

This was the best day of the whole visit!!!
When we were travelling down to London by train, I was panicking a bit about the walking.  I managed the walk between Euston and St Pancras so maybe it would be ok.
After travelling on the buses so successfully for the last few days we mapped out our journey and, after the obligatory Croissants and Coffee, we set off.
The first tram route started at the top of the road, a kind guy kept the doors open for us to 'jump' on and we were off.  We travelled northwards all the way past Gare de Nord - we couldn't believe it, no Metro or RER! We stayed on until we reached the Terminus and then descended.  The area was not very salubrious, and although a bus was waiting, the stop area was very crowded.  Thank goodness we live in Birmingham, we're used to being Cosmopolitan!  We climbed aboard, seats being given up for us with a smile, and off we went again.
As we travelled westwards, we passed some very interesting places making mental notes to look them up on Google.  We arrived at the next terminus, and found to our delight that we were at the Congress Centre so we knew that L'Escale was just round the corner!!!

Croque Madame -
the egg makes the difference!

Croque Monsieur

It was great to be back there and as we sat at a window table we discussed the various times we have eaten there.  We decided to have a snack and ordered the Croques.  They were a bit over done and not really up to the quality we expected but presentation and size still good!  
PJ pointed out that there was a bus up the hill so if I fancied walking up to L'Arc de Triomphe and have a look, we could catch a bus back. 
I had brought my walking poles with me although so far had only used one, and that as a sort of 'tall' walking stick.  
F.Y.I .  I find that the Walking Poles might look funny but are much better than crutches, my knees do not hurt and I do not get out of breath so much - a sound investment for me.
We made it up the hill and there it stood in all its glory! 
 L'Arc de Triomphe.

 In all the years we have visited Paris, we have only been here once ...... the very first time we came and we were on a guided tour ...... 
I have no words to describe it ..... it's a must see!!
When we got closer to the island I spotted some steps down and we found out that, if I managed the steps, we could view the monument closer ...... I WOULD manage the steps!

It's glorious close to and, if I had known that the Winter sunlight would give me such detailed photos, I would have taken so many more!!!  

I just thought - I can get them off the web.



We took a slow walk round the monument, access is so easy and it was stunning close to, such artwork.  
We could see the eternal flame, the inscription and wreaths - getting close without any scrambling.  The sunshine made it all so much better, it was coolish but no cold wind....... I could have done with a seat!!


We could see La Defense back the way we had come, the Paris Eye down the Champs Elysees out at Touleries, but decided that was enough.

If we had time we could've queued to visit the top where, I would imagine, the view must've been stupendous!

We didn't find out if they had a lift!!

I took lots of photos with my phone, being such a cool, sunny Winter's day there were just enough people there, not crowded out with Tourists and their selfie sticks!

We stopped to take a 'shadow' photo, which I gave up on getting the perfect one, but looking through them at home I notice that the couple, top left, managed to 'do the right thing' ..... you know .... when in Paris the City d'Amour!

We went back through the underpass to the bus stop, back down the hill to our next bus for the journey south.

What an amazing trip this has been.  We have had much more than we expected.  The transport has taken us through some very pretty places, the buildings and statues, decorations ..... I could go on ....  
We reached our final tram without any problem, it arrived as we descended from the bus - one would think they are timed to do that!
We called in for a coffee as we walked back to our Hotel ..... altogether an extraordinary day.

Down at the Bel Air for our evening meal, we had the French menu so I chose Escolope de Veaux and PJ had roast chicken.  Have I mentioned the glorious sauces that come with French meals!!!
The greengrocer was still open so we bought some fruit to have on the following day when we would be going to Montmartre ..... to buy lace curtains ..... that's why we come to Paris after all!