Backpacking France,: Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Paris Trip, budget hostel and accommodation in Paris

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your tales : ROAMING EUROPE - PARIS

Kerith Stovell from Australia fell in love with Paris during her visit in late 2003. She has also written about her travels through Spain.

IN LOVE WITH PARIS
Well let me start by saying I LOVE PARIS! What an amazing city. It seemed like around every corner there was something wonderful to see. And we had perfect weather every single day. Our train journey there was ok. We organised our subway tickets for the week and then made our way to our youth hostel It was right near the Bastille - amazing to be so close to history. Of course the Bastille itself doesn't exit anymore as it was burned down in 1830, but there are monuments. The hostel was 13 euros a night which is about AUD $22 and included breakfast of hot chocolate or coffee and a baguette with jam. The French are bread addicts. You could not live here and do a low carb thing. After we checked in we walked to the Isle de France (the island in the middle of the Seine River in Paris) and looked around there. Saw the Notre Dame which is truly awe inspiring.

ARTIST BY THE RIVER SEINE, PARIS

ARC DE TRIOMPHE, PARIS

PARIS SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
The next day we caught the train to the Arc de Triomphe and walked then along the Champs de Elysees, then the Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries (gardens) to the Louvre. We had a French lunch of a baguette and went to the Louvre. I spent heaps of time in the Ancient Greek, Egyptian, Roman Areas an the Apartments of Napoleon III which they have restored (so opulent). We saw the Mona Lisa through the crowds of Japanese tourists. We must have gone at just the right time becauise we didn't have to queue for anything. Apparently you can queue for up to an hour to see the Mona Lisa. Then we walked home via the Rue Rivoli and did a little shoping.

EIFFEL TOWER
Thursday we went to the Eiffel Tower in the morning. We planned to walk to the first level and then get the lift from there. However we thought that walking would be free. But no, it's €3.30 to walk, €3.70 to get the lift. It was a scam but the view was wonderful. Then we caught the train to Montmartre which is a big centre for culture and art. Saw the sacre-cuer - fantastic old church with views of the whole city

Friday was our day off culture- we went to EuroDisney. It cost about AUD $75 to get in which I really don't think is that expensive compared to theme parks at the Gold Coast (Australia) and it was so much better!! I felt like a big kid all day - Discovery Land, Fantasyland, Adventure land, and Frontierland, all with rides, theme adventures, activities!

EIFFEL TOWER, PARIS

NOTRE DAME AT NIGHT, PARIS

WHY I LOVE PARIS
Saturday we wandered round the Latin Quarter before we caught our train. So why did I love Paris so much? I've been thinking about this. Obviously there is stuff like the history, the culture, the fabulous buildings, but it was other things too. I liked the atmosphere, people were really friendly, there was a 'live-ness' about the place. People there are enjoying life.