I've just returned from my annual trip to trip to Paris to visit my friend Dorette who flew in from South Africa a few days early ahead of a work trip to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Our first meet up was in June 2024 then in June 2025 so now it's an annual trip. We used to meet up annually in South Africa after becoming friends in 2011 when we lived there for 4 years with me making several trips back each year after we left, but covid put a stop to that and between 2020 and 2023 we didn't see each other. The visits to South Africa resume this year also.
On previous trips we've packed in as much as possible and booked loads of attractions, having booked things weeks in advance as everything books up so quickly and without booking you either queue for hours or just can't get in.
On this trip we decided to chance as there had been changes to when we were flying and with the predicted heat spell we weren't sure what we would have time for.
As it turned out it was way to hot to be out between 12pm and 6pm so that time was spent eating lunch and drinking cocktails near our apartment then sleeping the afternoon away before going back out in the evenings. The temps were in the high 30s, the sun didn't set till almost 10pm and the balcony afforded us wonderful views of the city including free firework displays lasting almost half an hour and an amazing thunderstorm on the Saturday.
You can see the Eiffel Tower from everywhere in Paris.
We watched the light show from our balcony, however the only place in Paris where we couldn't see the tower itself as it was blocked by Montparnasse.
We videoed called in two of our friends in South Africa and one asked if we'd made the booking on Temu after seeing the lift that we'd crammed into. It was literally just big enough for the two of us and we joked that we could pick our own way to die and method of body disposal as the entire building was covered in plastic and we didn't hear or see anyone for our entire stay.
We checked out LA CAVERNE DU PONT NEUF. Walk through art on Pont Neuf Bridge. It looks like a giant ice berg floating on the Seine.
Climbed to the top of the Arc De Triomphe at sunset.
Checked out The Louvre from above and below ground.
And checked out the views of Notre Dame after lunch at our favourite restaurant.
Every yaar we meet at a random train station as we arrive at different times, a photo gets sent of what we can see, with a description of where we are and the other replies with a rough eta. It works for us and so far we've both arrived within minutes of each other.
How lovely to meet up with your friend and in Paris too! It sounds like you had a lovely time. I read about it being so hot in France, you did right staying inside during the day.
ReplyDeletehehehe! That did make me chuckle about Temu, your hotel looks really strange being covered in plastic.
Fab photos!