Tour Eiffel

Up relatively early, trying to beat the rush to the tower. Breakfast on the metro, arriving 45 prior to the opening at 8.45. But still not early enough, a pretty big line. After some confusion we finally found the line of the stairs, said to be the shortest queues typically and a cheap (5 euros per adult, 3 for the kids), and fun(!) way to get up the tower. Kids were dead keen. At 10.15 were we’re in the starting gate and 320 or so stairs later we were at level 1, already pretty high. Another 340 or so steps we made it to level 2, woohoo! Amazing views but pretty busy.

Of course however you have to go to the top, so another 6 euro ticket for the lift and a 20 minute wait, we were on our way. Wow! So high and such and amazing view, and brilliant as were able to see all the places we’d visited in the last few days, giving us a good perspective of the city. But again, spent busy, so around 1pm we descended back to level 2, with some of us taking the lift back to the base, with Adam and I completing the walk down. And of course the queues at the bottom were bigger, 2+ hours to get up, just crazy. I think it’s the most visited tourist attraction in the world if I read the literature right.

Back on the metro and back to Notre Dame are to meet Daves partner Ann, for lunch. Brilliant little bar/café called St Regis, perfect for lunch and several glasses of wine. Funny waiters and all very good, but again, not cheap. 170 euro for lunch, 4 adults and 2 kids … ouch!

Late afternoon, lunch over, time to head back to the apartment, ready for leaving tomorrow. Cheese, wine, baguette etc for dinner in the apartment, washed down with a suitable wine, and packing. With a quick trip to the local Orange (telecom) shop just before 7 to pick up a phone sim, decided need to have phone and internet on the ego. 30 euro for 120 minutes, 100 txts and 1GB of data, with a couple of catches … only valid for 2 weeks, but then you can top up as you choose it appears, and a later discovery, the data can’t be used for tethering. Oh well.

Time for bed. That was Paris, been there done that! ;-)