Paris

We have had a lovely few days in Paris and accomplished a lot. 

1st day z and I started the day with a run to the Eifel tower. A run alongside the banks of the river a perfect way to see the sights. We stopped for breakfast (ordinary) and then got the kids for a trip to see the Eifel Tower. The weather was just perfect but once again the queues put us off going up the top of the tower. Just add it to the list to do next time kids (which is getting longer). 

We ventured back to our hotel with a leisurely stroll by the river and stopped in at a market for a sausage in a baguette. Pure culinary heaven. 

More wandering aimlessly and we ended up at the legendary angelina's a dessert and coffee house. Cedric  had fond memories of this place as a kid so we decided to follow through on his recommendation. Unfortunately it was too hot to order it's world famous hot chocolate but chocolate eclairs and citron tarts did the trick. 

Dinner was at a restaurant described as pure French theatre! You want French attitude in a bistrot setting this was the place. It did not disappoint. Get there early to avoid the queues. An early dinner suited us fine.  When we entered its interior looked like Belle Époque. The waiter threw menus at us and spat out the English translation  of the French menu. I thought it was going to have a heart attack when he spat out fish of the day is "sea bass". It was good fun and another French eating experience we enjoyed. 

The next day was a run again, this time with Jess and Lucy. We ran through the tulleries Paris's famous gardens. Upon return we quickly got ready for our final private tour this time of the louvre. We met our guide anya (from New York) who  had the kids engaged from the minute we met her. The kids spent their time in the louvre looking for valuable clues to a puzzle that needing solving. Anya focused on a few pieces and explained them well. We enjoyed everything. We also enjoyed her restaurant recommendations.  These private tours have been well worth it. 

A quiet evening just to the restaurant next door to the hotel but another sensational meal. After dinner z and I headed off to a bar in search of a drink. Around and around we went. We ended up at le Bristol THE place to stay in Paris. We approached the garden area but the people in front of us were turned away (no tables) so we thought we might have to go elsewhere. They wanted to know where you could smoke a cigar around here while they waited for a table. We were less demanding and just wanted a drink. We found a lovely piano bar within the hotel and were given a welcoming cocktail by the bartender without even asking. We had a glorious evening. 

Our final full day in Paris and we visited notre dame. It was a lovely quiet experience quite different to the chaos of people outside.  Moll I thought of your dad there I remembered that you had all lit a candle for him on your visit last year. 

After our spiritual visit we set off for the symmetrical gardens of Paris and strolled through the garden as a busker played on his piano (no idea how he got it there) . That done and it was time to scout out a lunch venue a recommendation from anya. This was undoubtedly our best meal yet and our first creme brûlée. We headed back to the hotel to catch the final stage of the Tour de France. A visit to Laudree for a macaroon and a walk along the champs élysées towards the arc de triumph I could think of no better way to say goodbye to Paris.