Paris : Day 2 : 16 Oct 2008

It was raining on our second day in Paris. Our plans for the day were to visit Notre Dame, Centre of Pompidou, Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe. We had to wait before venturing because our jacket was not water-proof, and the umbrella was already cacat. We stayed long for breakfast, and met a Canadian girl whose parents are working in KL. It was rather rare to find someone knowing and having been to Malaysia.

Going to Notre Dame, we had to change metro twice. From LR metro, we changed at Bastille for line 1 (yellow) to Chatelet. Then, switched to line 4 (magenta) to Cite. All these only cost E1.14 per pax. We don't have such seamless convenience in KL. Notre Dame and Cite metro station are located on an island along Seine river. The Seine is almost twice the width of Sungai Kelang, but much cleaner.

We had trouble finding this place initially because there was no road sign to show the direction. We found that it was only 10 minutes journey from the station once we got the orientation correct. Map reading skill is very important because you have to align what you see on the map with the way you took after the exiting metro station.



We found Notre Dame to be very good looking and different. The front facade comes with 2 towers. Going in was free, but it was only a one directional 10 minutes tour. Going up its tower cost E7.50 but we didn't choose this option because the height was not enough for a good bird view of Paris city. We were keeping the cash to go up Arc de Triomphe and Tour Eiffel. One thing that we missed; the "0 Kilometre mark" outside Notre Dame. Didn't realize it existed until 2 months back. Claimed to be the marking point for distance of places from Paris.

We went to Bertillon, one of the recommended ice-cream place after that. It was located near a bridge, and a scoop cost E3. Few shops away on the same road, it only cost E2.50, and it was the same shop. Disappointed....



Next stop was Centre of Pompidou. Walking there took 30 minutes, but could be faster if not for the drizzle and cold weather (~13 deg C). It is a cultural centre, so we ended up going in to have a look. But getting in was as strict as getting through the immigration. The main highlight of this building is the outer side, both front and back. You will not find anything like this, anywhere.


> Pompidou, rear side


> Pompidou, front side