Paris - Week 1 - 7/5 to 7/7, Doug & Joan, St Germain-en-Laye and Versailles

We tried to go into Paris somewhat early for Doug and Joan's arrival on the high speed train from Zurich (at 17:34 hrs), but found out there are problems with the parking here at our favorite Le Pecq train station.  Parking passes are non-existent unless someone wants t sell theirs and there are no pay places for anyone other than residents.  Oh goodie.  So we drove to Saint-Germain-en-Laye and drove around the station there.  We found underground parking, but the spots are really small. 

An hour or two after putzing with parking and buying an extra ticket for the trip between Le Pecq and Saint-Germain-en-Laye, we headed to Paris.  We stopped at Etoile and viewed the Arc de Triomphe and then headed for Rick Steve's #69 bus tour which started at the Eiffel Tower. 

We had trouble locating the bus stop, but we finally made it. It was hot and nothing is air conditioned - including the bus.  We got the lay of the land a bit then headed to Gare de L'Est (East Train station or Paris East) to wait for the train.  The station is always busy, but the train arrived on time and we all smashed into the crowded trains (rush hour) for the hour ride back to Saint-Germain-en-Laye.  

Part of Wednesday was spent in Saint-Germain-en-Laye where we had a gelato and went to the Anthropology Museum.  They have some interesting items... the fireplace was magnificent.

We wandered the town after that and shared a sandwich at a sidewalk cafe.

After we got back to the boat we walked Le Port-Marly and tried the Italian Bistro for dinner.  Had a couple of pizzas that were OK.


Thursday we drove to Versailles... after getting started on the wrong road and then having to return for the tickets, we made it to the Chateau and started to explore.  Chateau Versailles... C'est magnifique! No picture does it justice, but here are a few...

The gardens were endless - it seemed. So much to see and so much one cannot describe.