Today, I took the double decker bus (hop on/ hop off). I went upstairs and really enjoyed the vantage point until it got cold and began to rain. There is an audio guide / headphone which helps.
The Great Flood
Something I learned about during the bus ride was the great flood of 1910. A Katrina-esque disaster that devastated Paris. The water level was so high, it flooded the plaza of the Eiffel Tower. There are a some great photos online (search Paris flood 1910). In January, Newsweek ran an article to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the flood. Looking at Paris today, I couldn't imagine seeing the rising waters flood the streets.
Champs Elysees
I decided to take a walk on the Champs Elysees. Way too many shops like the ones we have in San Francisco (Gap, Espirit, Starbucks). Hordes of people. I actually stopped into McDonald's. Why? Because I knew they'd have a bathroom.
Laduree
The Laduree Tea Salon has been around since 1862. It's a Paris institution and one of those places I haven't had time to visit on previous trips. A colleague recommended Laduree. The corner seating room upstairs is beautiful. It looks like the kind of place Marie Antoinette would have tea at. Historical timing-wise, Napoleon could have eaten a Napoleon at Laduree.
After hours of walking, exploring and taking photos and a bit of shopping at Monoprix, I caught a bus and headed back to the apartment.
National Police at the Eiffel Tower
When I returned (the bus stop is on the other side of the Champ du Mars) there were five National Police vans at the Eiffel Tower. One officer had a ring of Eiffel Tower souvenirs... not sure if they were rousting the vendors or if one of the vendors caused a problem.
After a long day it felts so good to get back to the apartment.
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