While I do admit we had planned to take a trip over to the Eiffel Tower that evening to see it at close quarters I was in quite a bit of pain by the time we made it to the hotel after the bus ride so we decided to stay close in the hotel.
We were put up for the night in the lovely 4* Crown Plaza Paris Republique we were treated to a Club Room which over looked the lovely courtyard, and although situated on a busy road you couldn’t hear a hint of traffic. The staff were amazingly friendly and helpful. It is adjacent to the Republique metro line so travelling to and from there to anywhere in central Paris is amazingly easy.
After a wonderful night’s sleep we were treated to an amazing breakfast, continental or English was available, I think I had one of the biggest breakfasts ever, with pancakes, croissants and fruit all finding its way to my belly.
For our finial day we decided to head off to the Louvre we only had till 2pm and the weather was looking mighty drab so inside was thought to be for the best. I have to admit I had no idea of the size of the place, so I quickly noticed Egypt on the map and we headed off in what we thought to be the right direction. We went through a section on the history of Louvre on the way – at this point I really wished we had picked up one of the sets for the 3DS but as it was it had been running low on battery so we had skipped it – so we decided to just try and take in as much as we could.
The Louvre has to be one of the hottest buildings I have ever been in! Amazing but oh so hot, and really not made for people who can’t get around so well, lifts were few and far between, there was one way in and out of all exhibits so it was often a case of retracing your steps so we didn’t even make far around before I had to give in and say we must turn back. After sit down we decided to head back to Gare du Nord as I couldn’t walk much more and time was closing in on us.
My great plan for the way back was to stop one tube station away and have a slow walk back and a nose in shops, I don’t know why but I had it in my head perhaps to the humidity of the Louvre and the Metro it would be brilliant sunshine outside but the opposite was soon to be found it was pouring down with rain. By the time we made it to Gare du Nord we were soaked and sadly so were all our clothes packed in our backpack – it was the start of an eventful trip home.
When we got to check in we realised all our train tickets home had been lost / stolen (having made sure they were inside my handbag that morning multiple times I can only think one thing.. But I shall let you make your own minds up on that one) luckily I had kept everything in different pockets so my passport and purse we still safe and sound. The Eurostar staff were amazing though we still had our tickets from arriving so they just printed us off a new set (if only the same could happen with trains in UK had to a buy a new set of those), we travelled back in style in club class where we were served a light afternoon snack, which was really quite large. The seats in Club were bigger than standard, more padded, but to be honest I found both just as comfortable, you just had more room in club.
It really was the adventure of a life time and I want to say a huge thank you to all at Superbreak for letting me enjoy it.
If you fancy grabbing a Eurostar Breaks or Weekend Breaks yourself check out the deals to be had with them.
*I received the Eurostar travel and nights stay for free as a competition win, all other activities were paid for by myself. I am writing this piece as I wanted to share with you the amazing time I had.
Well done on your fab win, what a romantic prize, the hotel looked gorgeous, so sorry you got pickpocketed, (I reckon) but glad you enjoyed yourselves! Xx
Thank you – it was amazing and it was totally gorgeous <3. It had to happen at some point, Ash has now said he is taking charge of all those bits in future lol which is probably a plus side lol xx
Paris is a fabulous city, so much charm and interesting things to see and do or just sit at a cafe and watch the world go with an espresso!
What a wonderful prize! The pictures of the hotel look great too. I’m glad you were able to get replacement tickets. Paris (like London) is notorious for pick pockets – the only time I went to Paris (many moons ago) my sister’s purse was stolen on the metro.
It’s on my to do list is Paris, I’ve gone around the Horrifique (The Periphique ) numerous times, but never actually made it to Paris.
How scary finding you’ve been pick pocketed, such a shame, but hopefully that hasn’t put a damper on your weekend. Glad Eurostar where brilliant at sorting you out with another set of tickets, but how like the British travel system not to do the same!
Like yourself I sometimes have to use a wheelchair & find it amazing the amount of building that haven’t thought it through about us, why don’t they just ask us what we need, it would be so easy.
We are off to Barcelona in October so hopefully I’ll be able to get around there ok, only ever had quick trips so staying overnight will be a lovely change & we will get to enjoy one of our favourite cities more.
Sounds like you had a lovely time. Glad the lost/stolen tickets didn’t spoil it for you.
So true, I really look forward to the day I can return and take things at a more civilised pace, and really take it all in. x
I think my tickets went on The Metro, we were on a very busy one on the way to the Eurostar and well I was holding onto the rails for dear life.
The hotel was amazing, I’m not used to a room with a little sofa and chair in all very posh! Has to be one of my favourite wins every!
They were amazing so worried about me as well bless him (I think I scared one poor women I was so tired and in so much pain when I realised the tickets were missing I just sat on the floor and cried for a bit lol).
It’s amazing isn’t it – I don’t think in the past I really noticed all these places just don’t cater for it but once you know what it’s like you look more. I really hope Barcelona brings good experiences when it comes to wheelchairs. x
It was amazing thank you
x