Sunday 12-Oct 2008 Paris
Weather Warm
Euro now at $1.34
Today was nice.
As you may have noticed I have not blogged in a week.
I have had a friend in town who has not been to Paris before.
So for the sake of this person I have been to all of the touristy places.
On Friday afternoon he left for London for the weekend.
I had lunch with my old classmates as many were leaving the city.
Jimmy, Gillian and I went to Pere Lechaise and walk around, they were both leaving this weekend for home :(
Here are some shots, also got a picture of Brillat-Savarin's grave, my idol!
Gillian and I had dinner Friday and then Martin came back in to town for one night and we ate together on Saturday. Great little place, nice owner: http://en.bionictomato.com/cities/Paris/2280-Restaurant-La-Billebaude/
I have eaten there twice and loved it both times!
After dinner I went up to Montmatre to see the fireworks. Every year they do a grape harvest festival (this is the only vineyard in Paris). The ceremony was crazy lots of drunken nuts but the fire works were amazing from up there on that hill!
OK, so today I decided to take the train to Fontainebleau to see the town and the Napoleon's house. Well more the gardens, those old houses are grand but usually over run with people so they get too claustrophobic and hot!
The town is cute. I started off at Gare de Lyon and bought the round trip ticket (about $20) and then went up to the platform and off I was. The ride is about 40 minutes and prettier than the northern routes. I got off at Fontainebleau/Avon and decided not to take the 10 min bus ride, instead I walked. Now it is a long walk but the weather was nice and I wanted to see things. The town of Fontainebleau is very nice, old church, great city hall, food market, etc. Had an overpriced lunch that is not worth mentioning and then I headed off to the Chateau. There was a group of reenactment soldiers in period clothing, I asked, they said they do this only 3-4 times I year, just my luck.
Here are some shots of Gare de Lyon and the walk from the train:
(L-R: Gare de Lyon Paris, Fontainebleau City Hall, Road into FB town, FB main square)
Here are some shots of the soldiers:
The house is nice, the gardens nicer. The entrance staircase is famous, couldn't get a great shot of it though.
Here is a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontainebleau
Here are some pics:
(L-R Staircase, View from Garden, From Street, Jardin de Diane)
I was going to take the bus back to the train, but again, wanted to walk. The bus is easy it is 1 euro 40 centimes and it picks up right in front of the Chateau. The walk is about 20-30 mins and only about 3/4 of it is pleasant.
Here are some photos:
All in all a very pleasant day.
