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Day 4: June 12, 2025
A combined subway and fast train took us into the centre of Paris where we headed to the Opera House to meet our professional Paris guide Violette and driver Frédéric. We then spent nearly 3 hours driving around many of the main sights, with Violette giving us history and anecdotes in her inimitable fashion. We did a quick photo stop at the Arc de Triomphe then drove along the Champs Elysées, through Place de la Concorde, along the river between the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, then up past Notre Dame to the Pantheon. We finished at Les Invalides.
Next we headed out west to Versailles. We had a quick picnic lunch then visited the absolutely stunning rooms of the Palace, gilt, mirrors and fancy fabrics. We finished by discovering a small part of the vast gardens and park, accompanied by classical music and the water fountains.
We took a train back to Paris (after some issue with a travel card, theme of the day!) then went for dinner to taste a selection of Flammekueche, both savoury and sweet. These are thin pastry tarts cooked in a wood fired oven with cream on top and a selection of toppings. They come from the Alsace region in Northern France.
Back to the métro and up to the river Seine for our river cruise. It was a glorious evening to slowly cruise along, watching the many people having picnics, dancing or making music on the banks. There was a huge variety of other boats, houseboats, police craft, pleasure boats and party boats. There was even a theatre boat.
The adventurours then headed to the Eiffel Tower to go to the summit, but some of us headed back to hotel. After a long, busy and extremely hot day, a cool shower and bed was more attractive.