Back to France - 2017

Normally, when we come to France, we land at CDG, hop on the TGV right at the airport, and go directly to Lyon.  We haven’t actually stayed in Paris since 2010.  But, this was a special year:  Anna’s 70^th birthday and our 50^th anniversary.  So we decided to celebrate by spending some time in Paris.  Anna had just two “must dos” while we were in Paris:  visit Versailles and take a stroll along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées again. 

David felt we should stay in the same hotel we stayed in when we came to Paris for the very first time and also for the millennial New Year.  So we found ourselves once again in the Relais-Hôtel du Vieux Paris.  The building dates back to 1480 and has quite the history.  It has belonged to a couple of dukes and a marquis and then much, much later was the crash pad for Burroughs, Kerouac, Ginsberg, and their friends.  Thankfully, Madam Odegard purchased the place and did a major remodel many years ago and transformed it into a charming 4-star boutique hotel.  It is on the Left Bank, steps away from the Seine, across a bridge from Notre Dame and other famous landmarks, and a short walk from the Anna’s favorite museum, the Musée d'Orsay.

So how has Paris changed since we were last there?  The big change we noticed is that it seems everyone in Paris speaks English now.  It certainly makes it a life a lot easier for the French-deficient tourists, but it was very frustrating to David who really wanted to be able to speak French.  We also noticed that the streets and sidewalks are very, very clean.  No “evidence” left behind by dogs and no litter.

We were pleased to note than some things did stay the same – for instance, the musicians and mimes performing on street corners in the evening.  And, just being in beautiful Paris is a celebration in itself!