July 26-29
To Paris, once again, for our mid-summer break. Three nights at Hotel d’Albe where we had a nice room on the fifth floor (538). Nice to be greeted by the girl on reception as “regulars”.
We traveled by rail, as last year: 06.29 from Crewe, 09.22 Eurostar from St Pancras, arriving Gare du Nord 12.47 local time. Transit from Euston to St P not an enjoyable experience, being rush-hour, but thankfully brief. Had time for a coffee before boarding Eurostar.
Weather-wise, Tuesday was the best day; actually got my shorts on for a few hours after we unpacked — they never saw the light of day again. Remainder of the time was mostly cloudy, with some sunny intervals, and a couple of showers.
Tuesday afternoon, just strolled around a bit and had the inevitable late-afternoon snooze.
Evening meal at Chez Clement, quite near the hotel; a new place for us. Shared smoked salmon for starter, then duck breast with charlotte potatoes for me and chicken fricassee on penne pasta for JL, and creme brulee to finish. Creme brulee superb, charlotte potatoes dire, the rest OK, but unremarkable.
Wednesday morning, looking for something new to do, we walked down to Montparnasse district. Had a coffee on the Bd. Montparnasse, near the tower. Thought about going up the tower, but decided £10-a-head was probably over-priced. Found our way on to the top of Gare Montparnasse, where we located Mémorial Leclerc et de la Libération de Paris – Musée Jean Moulin — interesting exhibits relating to occupation/liberations of Paris and the work of the Resistance. Afterwards, idled a while in the Jardin Atlantique
Lunched on a shared baguette in the Jardins du Luxembourg, then retreated to a nearby cafe on the Bd Saint-Michel for a couple of beers when the rain started. Short siesta at the hotel, then afternoon tea (no milk!) nearby, and a stroll by the river.
In the evening we took ourselves off across to the Ile St Louis, expecting to eat in one of our regular spots; but the Brasserie de l’Ile St-Louis was closed until the end of August and le Relais de l’Isle was fully booked! Taking pot luck, we chose the nearby C’est Mon Plaisir and enjoyed a pleasant, if slightly over-priced two courses. Duck leg starters, then a steak dish for me (prepared — I can’t remember how!) and baked cod for JL. For dessert, we partook of Nutella-and-banana crepes, at a stall in the Rue de la Huchette.
Thursday was once again Batobus Day. First stop, Hotel de Ville, where we walked back to see what goes on with the Paris Plage. Had a quite sensibly-priced cup of coffee sitting by the Seine before rejoining the bus and contiuing up to the Louvre stop. Strolled through the Jardin des Tuileries and rejoined the boat at Champs Elysees to continue to the Eiffel Tower. Made sure the tower was still there and got back on the next boat! Finally left the boat at St Germain des Prés but abandoned planned stroll up to Bd St Germain when it started to rain.
Evening meal at St Regis brasserie, just over the bridge on the Ile St Louis (across the road from the closed Brasserie de l’Ile). Generous portion of smoked salmon to share, then a good steak for me, with frites, and black tiger prawn risotto for JL. Ice cream near the hotel for afters.
Friday morning, crossed to the Right Bank for coffee at a cafe in Place du Chatelet, then a walk up the river on that side, again checking out the Plages
Back to Le Depart for a nice lunch of ham omelette and chips.
Collected luggage from the hotel just after 1.00pm and set off to Gare du Nord. Checked in in good time and in due course boarded the 14.43 Eurostart. Arrived St Pancras on time at 15.59 and had slightly confused excursion around the station before finding the underground; and so back to Euston in good time for the 17.07 to Crewe (remarkably few people on board, I thought, for a Friday evening). Arrived Crewe 18.42. To Tesco for a £10-meal-for-two-with-wine.
