How do most grandparents respond when asked to do something by their grandchildren? They try their best to oblige, of course.
So when, on our recent visit to Paris, our friend Pete mentioned that he had promised to send his grandchildren a photo of himself by the Eiffel Tower and to buy them miniature towers, we all agreed to accompany him on this mission.
Perhaps Jo would like to join us too? It was in truth a Wednesday, but Iโm sure it would make just as good a Monday Walk! I didnโt taken as many photos as I normally would, being too busy chatting with our friends as well as having very cold hands! But I do have a few to share, although some you may have seen in previous posts.
We took the Metro to Champs Elysรฉes Clemenceau and walked down to the river and across the Pont Alexandre III, taking photos of the view at various points.
To the Eiffel Tower
On the far side we strolled through the pleasant neighbourhood between Les Invalides and the tower, stopping off for a coffee. There were Christmas decorations in many of the shops and strung across the street above our heads. And we had tantalising glimpses of our destination in the distance.
When we reached the Champs de Mars we found it in a degree of chaos, being made over ahead of next year’s Olympic Games. But we got our photos, Pete included, and walked past the tower to the river. Itโs many years since Iโve been in this part of Paris, despite our frequent visits in recent years, so I had to capture the Eiffel Tower from a variety of angles, including one with the countdown to this summerโs Olympic Games. There were still a few leaves on some trees to add colour (including those in my featured image).
We had thought about getting the Batobus back, but it was expensive for a short ride so instead we decided to stay in this area for lunch. But before, we stopped to take some photos of the strikingly modern Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Cathรฉdrale de la Sainte-Trinitรฉ.
We found a good lunch, sharing some pizzas in the Trattoria Dell’Angelo on the Avenue Rapp, before taking the RER back to Saint Michel. And lunch feels like a good point at which to end any walk!
And as Paris is definitely one of my happy places, and it’s been a while since I linked up with Ju-Lyn, I’m sharing this with her Happy Place, Happy Space challenge too.
I visit Paris often; these photos were all taken in November 2023
38 Comments
Sue
Brilliant!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you again ๐
rkrontheroad
Your varied points of view make those places come alive.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ruth ๐ I go to Paris so often that I like to look for a different angle on things!
equinoxio21
A good place to be happy. Thanks for the thoughts and the photos.
Sarah Wilkie
I know you agree with that ๐
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SoyBend
Sorry, my comment went on the wrong post for some reason. Ooops!
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, I did wonder ๐คฃ No worries, I knew what you meant!
SoyBend
I also liked the waterlily picture, Sarah! The hibiscus in Columbia was also nicely highlighted in black and white.
Image Earth Travel
Thank you for the trip down memory lane. I haven’t been to Pairs since 1985 but your lovely photos brought back the memories. ๐
Sarah Wilkie
You’re welcome – I’m always happy to ‘take’ people to Paris ๐
Teresa
I think I wrote a comment but it seemed to be lost somewhere. I just said that I am missing Paris because of this post and I am blaming you for it ๐๐๐
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, sorry Teresa ๐ค There’s an anonymous comment below that I had to approve before it would appear – is that yours? WP has introduced some sort of change that means we often have to log in again before commenting on each post and if we don’t it appears as anonymous and has to be moderated in most instances. It’s maddening on both sides – for the commenter who has the hassle of logging in (or if they omit to do it, thinks their comment has got lost, as you did), AND for the person who wrote the post who gets all these anonymous comments and doesn’t know who’s making them. I wish they would sort it!
Anonymous
Being in Paris with friends, i imagine, is very enjoyable. I am missing Paris right now Thanks for doing that to me, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
I assume this is Teresa? I normally delete duplicate comments but wanted you to be able to see what had happened, as per my explanation above.
Heyjude
Seeing your quirky photos makes me wonder why I have never walked across the Pont Alexandre III. As for odd angles of the tower I do have several of those. I went through a phase some years ago taking photos at unusual angles. I seem to have grown out of that ๐
Sarah Wilkie
The Pont Alexandre III is an amazingly over-the-top bridge, and has great views of the Eiffel Tower too, it’s one of my favourites ๐ As for the odd angles, it’s something I normally try to avoid except occasionally for dramatic effect. It’s easily over-used!
grandmisadventures
Paris is just beautiful from every point and angle ๐
Sarah Wilkie
So true, thank you ๐
Brad M
Great walking tour of Paris. Brings back some memories from many summers ago when my daughter was young. BTW, did the grandkids get their mini-Eiffel towers?
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brad ๐ Yes, we found the towers in a souvenir shop nearby, so the mission was a success!
wetanddustyroads
I really like your different angles of the Eiffel Tower – they look quite different from how I usually see this famous landmark in photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – I guess it’s because I was so close to the tower when I took most of them that a conventional shot wouldn’t have worked ๐
photobyjohnbo
You’ve reminded me that Paris is still on my list of places yet to visit. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah Wilkie
Oh you really must try to visit Paris one day, it’s such a special city!
thehungrytravellers.blog
No matter how many times you visit Paris, sooner or later you have to gravitate back to this area. Just one of those things you have to doโฆeventually, in your case!
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, it’s years since we were around this part of the city, so I was glad Pete’s ‘mission’ took us back there ๐
Alison
Paris is such a great city for walking โบ๏ธ
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, absolutely ๐ Thanks Alison!
restlessjo
I don’t always take photos when I’m out in company. Sometimes it can seem rude, even though they might know I have a blog. In fact, I have a tale to tell for next Monday but I don’t have any photos and may have to borrow some. I know you love Paris, Sarah. Will you be there for the Olympic games? (I have no idea when they are)
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, I felt to take too many photos was a bit off, when others were enjoying chatting as they walked. But all of us were taking at least a few in different spots. We won’t got for the Olympics, much as we enjoyed the London one, but we will hopefully be there again in September, as usual.
Wind Kisses
A nice walk indeed. And I am certain Ju-Lyn with love it as well. Paris never disappoints.
Sarah Wilkie
So true, Paris always delivers!
Anne Sandler
Beautiful images at wonderful angles!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Anne ๐
margaret21
I.understand your relative lack of photos on this occasion. This has with some exceptions been a photo-free stay in Spain. But what you have are great as usual.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes – the combination of being with friends, having been before quite recently (not that usually stops me!) and cold fingers proved too much ๐