We went to Paris this weekend - a rare family trip away. Here are some of the photos we took which I hope gives you a very different view of Paris.
From our apartment we could see the Eiffel Tower - terrible focus as I didn't have a camera stand but you get the idea. This 125 year old edifice still knows how to strut her stuff!
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Isn't she pretty in Spring?
We chose not to go up The Eiffel Tower - unless you pre-book you have to queue for ages so we decided on another vantage point - the Montparnasse Tower. No queue here and it has the fastest lift in Europe which in 38 seconds takes you to a height of 196 meters (over 640 ft). A final flight of stairs and you are on the outdoor viewing platform where you get the most fantastic panoramic view of Paris. And of course if you go up the Eiffel Tower you don't get to see her do you?!
A couple of shop/bars names caught my eye:
Mold Bat:
and Chicken Clothes (sadly not for our feathered friends which was a pity!)
and I got to see a Hippopotamus!
We have no idea what these cyclists were demonstrating about but they were very colourful, very loud and upset a few car drivers!
We managed to book our week-end to coincide with the Paris Marathon - it was a fabulous atmosphere and we cheered on the brave runners.
Near La Place de la Concorde are several sculptures of hands - this tiny one looked so lonely on it's large granite plinth that Ben felt it needed a comforting touch.
We went to Montmartre and yes - we really did see a man hanging off a lamppost by one hand spinning a football. He had been doing the most amazing "keepy uppy" on the plinth below which in itself was incredible but his talent appeared to have no limits. He climbed this lamppost whilst spinning the ball on a pen held in his mouth before doing more mind boggling ball control. A truly talented man. (Montmartre and the Basilica of Sacre Coeur were wonderful too but this is somethihg you don't see every day in Paris!)
Finally, we were made to feel at home. There was a cow just down the road from our apartment! Now who would have expected that!
Have you been to Paris and seen some unusual things? Please do let us know.
Such an amazing city and not too far for you!
ReplyDeleteExactly, under 3 hours. Our Christmas guests visited on Christmas Day and said it was wonderful then too!
DeleteFun look at Paris!
ReplyDeleteThank you Phoebe!
DeleteHi guys,
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a really good time in Paris ... Love Paris !!!
Best,
Pablo
Isn't it a great city!
DeleteFantastic photos!! That view from the Montparnasse Tower is amazing x
ReplyDeleteThank you - I think that view is better than from the Eiffel Tower ... and we didn't have to queue either.
DeleteWhoa! That view of Eiffel Tower is .. SO AWESOME! I love the crisscrossing streets that highlights the scale of the tower. Every photo of course is nice but I am really partial to the tower. #whatsthestory
ReplyDeleteThank you - it really is a fantastic place to view Paris from.
DeleteThe ball spinning man sounds amazing!!! Love Paris! #MagicMoments
ReplyDeleteHe was so talented.
DeleteOh how wonderful Rosie, it sounds like you had a great time and how fab to get away. It's quite scary going up the Eiffel Tower as the lift has a glass floor - scared the living daylights out of me on the top section! What a great view you had from your apartment though and superb photos of Eiffel Tower and Montparnasse Tower too. Sounds like there was lots happening as well - that spinning man must be very strong! Great post, thank you so much for sharing #whatsthestory
ReplyDeleteSimon noted the glass floor and I think was secretly relieved we didn't go up! He's OK rock climbing with a harness but high cliffs or glass floors makes him feel wobbly!
DeleteI love that you had the tip about the elevator in lieu of going up on the Eiffel Tower, that is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThe boys loved the trip up the Tower of Montparnasse so well worth doing!
DeleteSuper post and really interesting. I love the way you describe the Eiffel Tower as strutting her stuff. Never been to Paris but if I went I would so love to visit the Moulin Rouge. #whatsthestory
ReplyDeleteIn the picture I took of The Eiffel Tower she is dazzling us with flashing lights and a laser - fantastic. Hope you get to Paris one day soon.
DeleteGreat to see some different options in Paris!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tina - we enjoyed our different view on things as well as the more conventional!
DeleteRosie this sounds like such a super trip! x
ReplyDeletethanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
It was a great trip :)
DeleteSome great moments of Paris. I was in Paris last week too - my husband was gutted he didn't get to join in with the marathon runners!
ReplyDeleteThis trip was actually 2 years ago but my son was fired up enough to want to run a marathon one day.
DeleteI liked your quirky post. There is always a different angle to Paris on each visit. #Monday Escapes.
ReplyDeleteThank you - we enjoyed seeing some different views of this beautiful city.
DeleteI've lived in Paris for 3 years and the site of the Eiffel Tower never gets old. She is a beauty! I have yet to see that man on the lamppost. I've seen his photo everywhere though... so cool #MondayEscapes
ReplyDeleteI have no idea if Lamp post man is still there or not but he was pretty amazing to watch.
DeleteSuch interesting, quirky photos...showing the sights of Paris that not everyone sees. Love the guy on the lamppost and that chicken shop is something else! Thanks for linking to #citytripping
ReplyDeleteThank you - I do enjoy seeing the more unusual things, especially in cities so well known as Paris.
DeleteThis really encapsulates Paris - the wonderful Eiffel Tower, the beautiful architecture, the art all over the place. And the quirky, from the street performers (if that's what our friend on the lamppost is) to shop names. I am now dying to visit Mold Bat just for the experience! Thanks for linking up to #citytripping
ReplyDeleteMold Bat is east of the Mont Parnasse Tower - 12 Boulevard Edgar Quinet :)
DeleteThe lamppost guy is quite scary! No safety net. I like the Stadium with the grass all over it out near Bercy...
ReplyDeleteHe must be so strong.
DeleteTotally agree about going up the Montparnasse Tower - then you get to see it! The lamppost guy is quite impressive..
ReplyDeleteI loved the MontParnasse Tower and that lift was soooo fast!
DeleteHahaha, you found so many of the silly Paris things! I hate going up the Eiffel Tower; like, what's the point if we can't see the Tower?! Love this little jog through Paris, I can't wait to return in six weeks!!! Thanks for linking up with Travel Tuesday and #citytripping!
ReplyDeleteI love the Eiffel Tower but like you say, you get a much better view of her beauty from the Montparnasse Tower. Enjoy your upcoming trip there and then sort yourself out a trip to Normandy :)
DeleteLove this post. The Mold Bat! That made me chuckle. And I am definitely taking your tip about Montparnasse Tower. I don't think I could be bothered with the queues at the Eiffel Tower! Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
ReplyDeleteShhh - don't tell everyone about the Montparnasse tower or the queues will get longer!
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