A Glance Back

This was my fourth time in Paris. The first time was in 1999, during backpacking around Europe. Then I came for a short business trip. In 2012 I came for a friend's wedding. This time, December 2016, was a family trip.

This time was the deepest, and I saw more of Paris than before, since this time we stayed 4 nights in Paris.

We booked a good apartment, and very convenient, located just few minutes walk from Chatelet Les Halles station.

On the first night, we walked to the Christmas Market at Champs-Élysées.
We enjoyed Paris night view with lights for the festive season.
We also enjoyed the ferris wheel ride with a good night view of Paris.

On the second day, we walked to Notre Dame from our apartment.
Was a chilly day, but the queue to enter the cathedral was long.
We reserved the ticket to Eiffel Tower early evening to go with a tour, since we couldn't buy the ticket directly online sold out. Though expensive, we were happy with the tour.
Unfortunately, it was a misty night, that Eiffel Tower was blanketed by cloud that we barely saw anything, and from the summit, we were above the cloud.

On the third day, while my family visited Versailles Palace, I had lunch with old friends, in the friend's house near Versailles. Had a good time with Satomi and Sebastien and their children, Lea and Luca; Yukari and Adrien, Matsui, Christian and his wife.
At night, with Matsui, I went to Montmarte and watched the legendary Moulin Rouge.

On the fourth day, while my sisters continued exploring Paris, I went with my Mom to Luxembourg, a small country next to France. It was a wealthy country with a nice old town and modern town. I felt that people there were nice and friendly.

We left Paris on the fifth day flying to Greece.

From Chatelet to Champs-Élysées

On our first night, we walked all the way from our apartment, passing Louvre, finally to the Christmas Market at Champs-Élysées.

We took a ride also to the ferris wheel near the obelisk side of Champs-Élysées.
























Christmas Market at Champs-Élysées

We visited the famous Christmas Market in the most famous street.
The market was at one edge of the street at the obelisk side.
Many shops selling food and non-food.

We stopped by in a restaurant in the market, and ate:
- Moules Gratinees, EUR 12
- Escargot au Beurre, EUR 12
- Moules Marinieres, EUR 15
- Beaujolais Blanc 50cl, EUR 9












From Chatelet to Notre Dame

On the second day morning, we walked from our apartment in Chatelet to the Notre Dame.















Cafe near Notre Dame: Le Parvis

On the way to Notre Dame, we visited this cafe for toilet and coffee.
The crepe with the liquor was terrible. The service was also not that nice.