November 2025 - First four days Paris

 Ww fly into Paris thru Dallas and arrive in the morning,  We will spend three nights here before boarding our first cruise up the Seine to Normandy and back.  Uneventful flight over and arrived around 9:30 in the morning.  Staying at the Hyatt Regency which is the tallest hotel in Paris. First afternoon we were provided a walk around this area to get acquainted with restaurants and public transportation and just hung out to get our bearings back. Did a quick walk over to the Arc Triumphal but with the holidays that area was closed off for celebrations.  Day two we decided to go for walk and headed to the Arc Triumphal and down the Ave Champs Elysees but resisted the urge to shop. Next walked over to the Eiffel Tower and were happy we got there before the big crowds.  Headed back on a different route stopping at small cafe for lunch. Ended up being around an enjoyable five mile walk in very good weather.  

Next day took excursion up to Montmarte which started out as a separate community outside of Paris.  It was a popular hangout for artists back in Van Gogh days who had some popular paintings from that area. There is an area where some local artists still sell their works.  We got lucky that there was only one other couple on the excursion so we were able to drive up to the church rather than walk the 250 steps up.  

We have moved onto the boat with it parked real close to the Eiffel Tower,  Two excursions today starting with the Panoramic of Paris.  This consisted mostly of areas around the Latin quarter with some free time at Notre Dame Cathedral.  Unfortunately there was a concert going on inside and line was very long so this will wait for another day.  Our host was born in Chicago but moved with his parents at the age of six and has never left.  In the afternoon we did the Flavors of Paris tour which focused mostly in the St, Germaine district.  It rained during most of this walking tour but that adds to the adventure.  Started with a stop for meat, cheese and baguettes and then moved on to crepes and finished with some sweets from Provence.  As well as good eats this day included a protest with unknown demands and a misstep in the metro.  We took the metro to get there and back and at some point “someone” got confused one the way back and had to be rescued.  Not one of their best moments.