J&J's European Adventure

20 July

Paris, France - Day 4

We got an earlier start today and got to the Arc before the ticket office opened. After viewing it from ground level, we climbed the 306 steps to the rooftop terrace.The views from there are great, and it's especially fascinating to watch the insane traffic as it circles and weaves its way around and around the monument.

From there, we went to the Sacré-Cœur church. This is a major tourist spot on one of the highest points in the city. It seems to also be a giant magnet for grifters and con artists. Within a 1/4 mile of the church, we encountered pleading Gypsy beggars, 3-card Monte hustlers, and whatever you call the guys who weave complex string bracelets on people's arms and then demand money for the effort. We took some pictures of the action and escaped to a more civilized area.

We went completely tourist this afternoon and toured the sewers, a smelly but interesting place. The Deportation Memorial was open, and we spent a little time there, then walked back past the Pantheon and through Luxembourg Gardens.

We walked back to the Eiffel Tower about 2230 hrs, planning to be on top around midnight, but the top was closed. Our best intel from the staff is that they close it at night dependent upon population density. We couldn't get a best guess as to how late one can wait to go up. I may go back over in the morning and try to find someone more fluent in English. The question seems to be too complex for them to understand in English, and it's certainly too complex for me to ask in French. We walked across the nearby bridge over the Seine instead. I took a couple of pictures on our camera and several more on other people's. I must look like a slow runner, since strangers regularly hand me their cameras to use.

Daily miles: 12.44

Expenses: 78€ (Arc, sewer tickets, groceries)

Arc de Triomphe