The night we are due to leave Switzerland for France we watch the news for the first time in days. The main headlines mention chaotic scenes in Paris and many other regions of France due to different sectors striking. We are slightly non-plussed but do not really grasp the scale of the upheaval.
Awaking the following morning and finding our first train cancelled, our reservations for our second train voided, non-existent seating on alternative trains and our future Eurail to England under threat, well and truly brings home to us that we may have some problems ahead.
It takes not only careful rescheduling but also brute force to make it to Paris. I find myself, along with many others either standing or utilizing the floor on our final 2.5-hour sector. It’s a relief to reach the City of Lights, but with the subway and all buses cancelled, the city ground to a halt with the additional traffic, it’s a short-lived reprieve.
Having extended our time here from two to three nights, we actually have two lots of accommodation booked. A hard-won taxi eventually deposits us at our first hotel and after a brief breather, it’s out to walk the banks of the Seine at night, to wonder the Latin Quarter and to enjoy the menu du jour (3 courses) in one of the many little restaurants. The place is empty, far different to our last visit here and when asked, our waiter confirms that the strikes are really having an impact on business.
The following day finds us checking into the most incredible little apartment, minutes from the Louvre. Its incredible location means we can walk to wherever we wish, and its washing machine means we can ditch the handwashing for a few days. The overhanging worry of having our Eurail train cancelled is alleviated when the train before ours is cancelled but ours is not.
Whilst we are happy to wonder within the Louvre Museum precinct, we have no desire to visit inside (we did that on our last visit to Paris) and instead spend our time strolling the nearby Tuileries Garden, visiting the Muse de l’Orangerie where we gawk at Monet’s water lilies and enjoying our walks along the magnificent Seine.
Day two finds us strolling the Champs-Elysee (where I purchase a vibrant mustard colour cashmere jumper), admiring the Arc de Triomphe and standing perplexed in front of the Eiffel Tower when we notice just how rusty this wrought-iron structure actually is.
We finish our visit to this crazy, noisy city with a ramble through the nearby Christmas Market and a sombre viewing of Notre Dame. It’s quite sad seeing this former elegant beauty sitting here looking so dejected clothed in her construction wear.
Leaving nothing to chance our Uber deposits us at Gare Du Nord three hours ahead of our Eurail departure time. It’s 730am, drizzly and pitch black. We spend the time chatting to some fellow Australian’s – Kate and Gary who have an incredible story on how they were conned in Paris, to tell.
As like last time, I hated the experience of travelling 75 metres under the English Channel but the relief of not only making it to England, but of being able to speak English normally again, more than makes up for the journey.
I type this today after having spent the most incredible fortnight relaxing and enjoying the country of my birth. Next blog will be from the Arcadia, our cruise ship home.
British Pubs – love em 
Being a tourist in London 
Our Notting Hill apartment 
Getting ready for some English Football
