Paris Summary

Published 2.April; backdated to 25.March.
I've been lax about posting daily. My apologies. We stayed so busy the past 2 weeks that I haven't had the energy. I will add pictures later - we don't have Internet access at the campground.


We saw our mom's off last night at the Sheraton inside the Charles De Gaulle airport. All they have to do is walk out the front entrance and they are in the right terminal for international departures. Given their flight out is 8:30 am and they need to be there 2-3 hours beforehand, it only made sense.



So - a summary of our very busy, whirlwind tour of Paris:



Day 1 (arrival):

• From airport to hotel. We all realize for the first time how far out their hotel is from us. The Disney resort area is pretty isolated.
• We left after dinner to let them rest and recoup.

Day 2:
We met them at the subway - was supposed to be a low-key tour of Paris highlights. I had thought we should take the tour bus, but at the last minute, we decided to walk it. Sights: Opera, Arc d'Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Pantheon. Gyros in a food alley, where we were virtually assaulted by the restuarant greeters, all offering something special to us if we would just eat at their restuarant.


We managed to over-run everyone and emotions took a burst in practically all of us. Oops. Sorry guys - we just were so excited to see you and visit Paris.


Days 3-4:

We moved the RV to Disneyland. Motorhomes are designated a special place in the parking lot and the cost is only 13 Euro per day. No power, but from April-October there is water and a dump station. Megan and I ran out at 8:15am and took the bus to the grocery store. Stocked up with everything we could think of and were back to the RV by 9:30. Headed out and picked the moms up at their hotel by 11am. (nothing quite like curbside service from a Winnebago at the Disney Dream Princess Hotel!)


We played hard at Disneyland. Met Princess Jasmine, rode rides, and walked, a lot. Turns out, my mom loves roller coasters. Dan's mom not so much. Megan escorted them on the Tower of Terror and we're still not sure if they enjoyed the experience or not.


Our last night at Disney, I was determined to see the evening parade - they have it listed as Candelabra, their 15-year celebration. In short, we got very wet for a 5-minute character dance.


Day 5 (3/16):
More mellow - took my mom to church. Dan and the girls did their souvenair shopping. Moved back to our original campground (Paris Est Trembly) and checked the moms into a rental mobile home at the site. A bit of a step down from the Disney Dream Princess Hotel.


Day 6 (3/17):
Megan and I went to the Louvre with the moms. We arrived around noon and had a very enjoyable afternoon. Too little time to appreciate the full museum - but we did enjoy the Mona Lisa, Monet, sculptures and Napolean's apartements to list a few.


Day 7 (3/18):
Celebrated my birthday with tour of Notre Dame and a trip to the Eiffel Tower and this time, we took the elevator up. It was fantastic. Cold, but beautiful views of the city. Made us all realize how vast the area really is. Chocolate mousse cake and roses wrapped up the day. Happy Birthday, me. =)


Day 8 (3/19):


Took a day "off" and tried to play it mellow. Took the moms shopping at the nearby grocery store. Since the cafe stop didn't work on the 18th, we stopped at the cafe outside the grocery store for afternoon treats. The citron tart was fantastic; as was the "religeuse" (two cream puffs, filled with chocolate mousse and stacked on each other). Dan, Charlotte and Sophia returned home to rest. Norma, Megan and I wandered the shops in the village.

Day 9 (3/20):
Mom and Megan and I went shopping in Paris. First stop – Printemps. We admired the size of the store (4 builings, 22 stories) but were underwhelmed by the sterility. It’s not really that fun of a store for shopping. Much like Saks Fifth Avenue, it’s sorted by designer and not a very welcoming environment. We did enjoy it though – mom purchased a really cute lapel pin in the shape of a pansy. Outside, we found the sidewalk vendors, selling beautiful scarves for 5 EURO each (I know, they aren’t silk, but they also aren’t 250 EURO). Megan was catered to in a nearby store, her first “real” shoe buying experience complete with stacks of shoes and an attendant to put them on and take them off for her. She didn’t know what to think!

Dan took Charlotte and Sophia out to a nearby market and enjoyed the sites and sounds of a traditional French market.

Day 10 (3/21):

Day trip to Versailles. We endured an hour+ train ride to be beat back by the weather. Literally as we approached Versailles, the wind picked up and we were pelted with an ice storm. Umbrellas wouldn’t have helped … armour for body and face might have made it OK. We turned back – it would have been another hour in the elements to get in and we were all soaked through.

We went home for afternoon naps, then ventured out to dinner in a local eatery known to cater to the college crowd. Large portions, small prices. We arrived at 7pm (when they open) and once we figured out how to open the door, were treated to a fantastic atmosphere and excellent food.

Day 11 (3/22):
With rental car, we took off for Normandy. Followed the signs for Overlord Assault. Beautiful drive, though everytime we got out of the car we were assaulted by wind and hail. We did stop at Pegasus Bridge, several of the beach memorials and made it out to the American War Cemetary. A very interesting day.

Day 12 (3/23):
Sunday again and we’re exhausted! The tourist magazines said the Carrousel shopping center at the Louvre is the place to be on a Sunday. We went – moms had a great time shopping at the local hat/scarf shop. Wandered out – one last search for the cake shop I’d read about. We found it – but there was no indoor seating. We moved on to another café and had cheese cake and coffee as they didn’t have any chocolate cakes that were by the piece. Stopped by the nearby ice cream shop and enjoyed a fresh crepe, made before our eyes. Cold and tired, we wandered back to the car for an exhiliratin drive back to the campground.


Day 13 (3/24):

The moms stayed with the kids while Dan and I headed out for a shopping trip – 2 hours later, we overfilled the cupboards with the basics replenished. Took moms to hotel and said our goodbyes. We had to return the rental car to Orly and make it back to our bus station before 8pm or face a cold walk home with the girls.

Took moms to hotel and said our goodbyes. We had to return the rental car to Orly and make it back to our bus station before 8pm or face a cold walk home with the girls.

Day 14 (3/25):

The Moms flight departed 8:30am. =) We didn’t wake up until 8:30. Determined to find a cheap stopping point and recoup for the day, I routed us 25km away. Only our propane tank is empty and we wound up in Peronne by the time we found a station and refilled.

Ciao for now. Paris is awesome ... definitely worth the visit.