Our day got off to a very early start as we headed to St. Pancras Station to take the Eurostar train to France. We traveled in high speed of up to 300 kilometers per hour under the English Channel and arrived at Gare du Nord in Paris just before lunch.
We headed to the Latin Quarter for lunch and sightseeing. The Quarter is so named because classes at the Sorbonne, a university, were originally taught in Latin. Our meeting point was Saint-Séverin Church which was an easy walk from Notre Dame Cathedral, the Seine, Shakespeare and Company bookstore, and tons of eating and shopping choices. After some time to explore, we were taken on a guided tour of Paris. We learned about its twenty districts, which spiral from the center of the city outward as we drove past the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and headed over to the iconic Eiffel Tower. In spite of some crazy traffic, we were able to get out to walk around the base of the iron tower constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair to take pictures; however, because of the upcoming Olympics, the road the to square with the most famous view was closed. Instead we went right up to the foot of the Eiffel Tower decorated with the Olympic rings, which was an amazing experience. As the tour continued, we saw and learned about Les Invalides and L’Arc de Triomphe before heading to Montemarte and La Basilique de Sacre-Coeur. Montmartre, sitting at the top of a hill overlooking the city, were accessed by climbing a set of daunting stairs, but we all persevered and were rewarded with a stunning view of the city.
Dinner of Beef Bourgogne and apple tarte was enjoyed after descending the hill.
Tomorrow we spend more time in Paris, including a visit to the Louvre.