1. Paris Exploration

The day proceeded beautifully and the planning really paid off! The Bromptons arrived in excellent condition with no tweaking needed. May Charles-de-Gaulle airport, Ivan unpacked the bikes and sorted out our bike luggage. With our Bromptons this took less than 10 minutes for 2 bikes, including putting them back into the now open boxes to catch the bus into town. 

Arriving at Montparnasse we got off in the sidewalk. It had been a good choice to unpack the bikes in the airport than on a city sidewalk! So here at Montparnasse all that was left to do was assemble to the Bromptons out of the boxes, cut off our labels from the boxes, and leave them next to a trash bin. 

With the Garmin loaded up with our waypoints of interest , we hungrily set course for Le Morgane, the highly rated small restaurant for lunch that was near our hotel. 

Our bags were light, so after a slow unencumbered ride, we arrived at Le Morgane in less than 10 minutes, sat al fresco and ordered the pat du jour with a glass of wine. Sitting on a Parisian street , enjoying good food with one another, with bikes beside us and the next 10 days unfolding was a perfect way to begin our 10th Anniversay trip!

After a very satisfying lunch, we set off for our hotel. We arrived shortly, stopped outside, folded our bikes and walked into the small and very new lobby of Home Moderne. The system would be that Ivan carried the bikes while Renata carried the luggage inside. Bringing just 2 T-Bags between the both of us made this light work.

In expensive Paris we were quite pleased to find this nice and very new hotel for $190. It brought back memories of our honeymoon to Spain, where in Barcelona  we were shown to our tiny room with a tiny bed. "Excuse me, I booked a double bed," I said. "This is the double bed!" came the reply! Wiser now to European definitions, I made sure Hotel Moderne gave us a proper queen sized bed. Our courtyard view is 

After a short snooze, we rode to see the famous sights of Paris in one afternoon! 

The River Seine was our first destination. We took lots of pictures with our selfie stick that everyone curiously looked on. One person asked how I took each photo. "Bluetooth button the handle!"

As we proceed along the river the Eiffel Tower loomed into view...

Eventually giving this consummate Parisian love picture!

Down the Champs Elysee we coasted. A folding bike is a superb way to see a new city! No waiting for buses, no struggle to find parking, and no tired legs walking about. We covered so much ground toodling around those few hours. 

I spotted a few recumbent bike taxis around. Funny how rickshaws are dying out in Asia, but these high end Velo taxis are doing well here!

There was a military or scouts band of some sort playing at the Arc de Triomphe. 

And we made it the Louvre! Renata and I love the architecture and the grounds but we are not so keen on actually going inside to see the art! 

Don't underestimate the deftness to required to pose, balance a selfie-stick, press a button, and kiss your wife at the same time!

Triumphantly we left the Louvre in search of more of Paris. 

Riding along the river, we chanced upon a lovely park to watch ducks. Quite relaxing sitting in the armchairs, and feeling the breeze before we left in search for more food.  

The only thing that didn't go to plan was dinner at the highly rated Au Petit Sud Ouest, which specialized in duck! I was looking forward to foie gras and a duck confit, but alas it was all booked out! Not being very hungry we shared a roast chicken elsewhere. Over the last 10 years our food standards have gone up. While the food has been good thus far, Renata says that my sous-vide steaks and Bouchon roast chickens are better! Thanks dear!

Being our first day and still jet lagged, we were very tired after dinner and went straight home without exploring the night lights. We are rearing to go for 65km to Rambouillet tomorrow. ETD 8am in search of good cafe latte and croissants for breakfast.