Same routine as last week, about two hours coach ride to the drop off point, the Palais des Congrès de Paris. This time though we knew where we where and even gave directions to others getting off the bus, we headed straight towards the Eiffel Tower where we planned to have our lunch. As we passed a small supermarket we stopped and went in, Dot had seen something in there the last time and wanted another look. We ended up with a small bottle of wine each to have with the picnic, one each, as Dot got a bottle white and I got one of red.
I took a load more photos from the Place du Trocadéro of the Eiffel Tower and even tried to get some arty ones as we walked down the steps passed the fountains.
We arrived too early for lunch so we stayed on the right bank of the Seine, walked along to the next bridge and crossed to the Île des Cygnes, an artificially-created island in the river.
This had nothing to do with there being three bridges across the island, honest. At the far end of the island is one-fifth scale replica of the Statue of Liberty, so we walked along for a look, as the island has no roads it is popular this cyclists, joggers, dog walkers and tramps.
It would have been a good idea to have our packed lunch there but it was still far too early, so we headed in the general direction of the Eiffel Tower.
Dot wanted to go up the tower but the queue were still very long and I am still scared of heights so we didn't, I know I should have made the effort and maybe next time I will. We found a bench to sit on in the Parc du Champ de Mars, with a fantastic view of the tower. We had our picnic there and even though there was a sign forbidding alcohol, every one around us was drinking beer or even Champaign, so we had our wine with it.
After lunch we walked through the Parc du Champ de Mars, towards the Military School but the way through to it was closed, for what could have been a fun run the previous day.
From there we made our way along the Avenue de la Motte-Picquet towards the Esplanade des Invalides, it's a lot further than it looks on the street map. We passed another group of tourists on segways, not such a bad idea, Paris is big.
Once there at the L'Hôtel national des Invalides, we had a look round the military museums and church there. As it was still very sunny, it was not a day to be inside and as we left as large numbers of noisy youngsters were arriving, we made a good decision there then.
We then walked down the Avenue du Maréchal Gallieni back to the river Seine at Pont Alexandre III and made our way along the south bank back in he direction of the tower. By now we had already walked about five miles, so we decided to have a seat and a beer. We crossed over the river via Passerelle Debilly, a pedestrian bridge and went into the firs bar we came to, very expensive and very poor beer, only had the one though.
We then walked down the Avenue du Maréchal Gallieni back to the river Seine at Pont Alexandre III and made our way along the south bank back in he direction of the tower. By now we had already walked about five miles, so we decided to have a seat and a beer.
We crossed over the river via Passerelle Debilly, a pedestrian bridge and went into the first bar we came to, very expensive and very poor beer, only had the one though.
You know how I said, that the many Africans selling souvenirs, spoil the experience all around the Eiffel Tower, well they also sell the cheapest souvenir towers, so we set off from the bar in their direction to get some.
These guys are pestering people all day and usually getting nowhere, you should have seen this ones face when we replied, go no then lets have 20 of those key rings.
Then it was back to the pick-up point but not before a Leffe or two, at the same friendly bar we had used on our last visit.
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