After spending the morning shopping for souvenirs in our local neighbourhood, we were picked up out front of the hotel by Yves, our charming and eccentric Parisien tour guide. Normally the Citroen had an open roof, but on this chilly day, we saw Paris through a thin sheet of rain-slick vinyl.
The ride that followed was truly one of the more memorable experiences of the entire trip. He took us up the cobblestones to the top of Paris at Montmartre, driving down (and up) roads not usually meant for cars.....which would explain the shocked looks on people's faces when Yves honked them out of the way! We actually ended up in a lot of other tourists' photographs....must have been the car!
Coming back down the mountain, we toured two sides of Paris - the scenic and obligatory tourist sites, and the little known gems that only a seasoned local would know....with the entire trip punctuated by the endless and entertaining narrative from Yves.
"There are no lanes....just freestyle!"
He showed us the old Roman area of the city, and the "real" location for the murderous barber that gave rise to the legend of Sweeney Todd. We passed the Moulin Rouge and a number of bawdy establishments, and he pointed out a number of good restaurants along the way. At one point he stopped the car and disappeared briefly behind a moving truck.....we're pretty sure he needed to use the facilities!
Throughout the ride, I got to practice my woefully inadequate French, while genuinely encouraged by Yves to try. What a great way to see the city and what a character!
Back at the hotel, we had a quiet takeout dinner and the remainder of the evening was spent packing and organizing for the long day of travel ahead.
Picked up at the hotel by Yves!
The inimitable Yves!
Arc de Triomphe
Ou est Yves?
Moulin Rouge
Sacre-Coeur atop Montmartre
Get out of the way!
Returned safely to the hotel
Some local selections
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