Our trip to Paris, 2009

Arrival day 

Montmartre, (click for info) our first station in Paris, after driving 5 hours with car, is a hill (the butte Montmartre) in the North of Paris. It is  giving its name to the surrounding district, the 18th arrondissement. Montmartre is primarily known for the white-domed church of Sacre Coeur and ... for the NIGHT-LIFE area in Paris with the famous Moulin-Rouge in the centre of Pigalle.

The second day

Les Invalides, (click for info) here ist the famous (and very big) tomb of Napolen Bonaparte and also the graves of some military heros from the French history. Inside the arangements of different buildings are two churches, the Museum of the army, one ministery of the French government.
	Tour Eiffel, (click for info) the most famous point of Paris (already wellknown by ALL tourists from all the world) The real Parisian people do not care about. The reason is simple: crowded full of tourists during the hole day and half of the night. But for us: a MUST to visit for the first time.
Notre Dame de Paris, (click for info) the famous church in the middle of the river Seine, placed on a small island, called "Ile de Cite" is one of the most visited places in Paris, next to the Eiffel-Tower. We used the batobus, a ship-line to reach the church and walked through, together with the other tourists.
	Quatier Latin, (click for info) on the left side of Notre-Dame, contains the famous  Sorbonne, (click for info) the oldest university of Paris, the Patheon (click for info) in which the great persons of the French are burried and a busy corner of small restos and bistros for students and visitors with small money. It is always nice to stay here for small time!
Jardin du Luxembourg, (click for info) at the end of the quartier Latin is a famous park: Jardin du Luxembourg. Here is also the buliding of the Senat of the French Repuplik. Parisians using this park during their lunch break for small walk, Teenies are doing their first Rendez-Vous ...
	The Louvre, (click for info) the famous museum in the centre of Paris, just right hand side from Notre-Dame. The connection is via a small wooden bridge, where students and teens are chilling during warm afternoon. After the museum: the jardin de Tuilleries for relaxing in the sun.
Place de la Concorde (click for info) & Arc de Triomphe, (click for info)  behind the Louvre in a small walk we are reaching the Arc de Triomphe, by crossing the famous Place de la Concorde. The biggest place in Paris with the original Obelisk from Luxor.

The third day

La Madeleine, (click for info) during a long period of planing and different owners, this church is looking like a greek temple, just on the right hand side, of the Place de la Concorde.
	Oper-Garnier, (click for info) the Opera-Garnier is one of the most beautiful music-halls in the world. Due to history, here were also some crimes, like "The Phantome of the Opera". Until today, some rooms inside the cellar are not real discovered .... frightening ! Behind the opera: the famous Galerie La Fayette, (click for info) a shopping centre across two streets.
Pere Lachaise, (click for info) one of the largest graveyards in Europe, situated in the nort-east of Paris. Here are the last signs from wellkonwn people, like Chopin, Piaf. The place is since 18th century in use and some graves are real old ...
	Canal Saint Martin, (click for info) a romantic place in the North of Paris. The canal was used for water supply and transport of supply to the center of the town. Next to the water are countless small bars and bistros. An area for "relaxing" inside the big town of Paris. You may see by your own, one day !
La Bastille, (click for info) today no signs from the old jail are available. A big place with expensive restaurants and lots of tourists is the poor rest of ...  and a very expensive bistro! One beer about € 10,- ! The price for Coke ... do not think about !
	Boulonge Billancourt, (click for info) a town in the suburb of Paris, just outside the center, where Mike lived in. Here between 2001 and 2002 was a famous point of life.  Working for a French company for overvoltage protection systems. The mail project was in South-Africa.

Departure day 

Palace of Versailles, (click for info) no visit in Paris without this. The old residence from the French kings is open for visitors from around the world. Even on rainy days, there is a long queue and all you need is ... time to get the tickets for the entrance-fee. :) Due to the poor weather, we missed a small walk in the large gardens behind the residence.

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