Bordeaux to Paris by TGV (25 October 2024)

 


The weather forecast for Bordeaux was for rain.  Sure enough it was overcast and damp when we arose.  However, our rather nice hotel was only about a 300 metres walk away from the station and it was flat.  There was virtually no rain, more a light misty drizzle.

 

After a coffee we wandered across the road to the station to wait for our call to board the train. 

 

It took us a little while to find our seats but once settled in the ride was great with us travelling at speeds of up to 320km/h.  The ride was really smooth.  We arrived in Paris and Gare de Montparnasse just over two hours after leaving Bordeaux.  So much more relaxing that driving. 


 

It was fairly straightforward getting our tickets although one of the ticket machines stopped working for me and I had to go onto another one.  The only thing about the Metro is that you often have to carry your bags up numerous steps due to there being no escalator or lift in the older parts of the system on which we were travelling. 

 

After checking in we went for a walk through Montmartre, climbing the Butte de Montmartre and then going around to Sacre Coeur. There were people everywhere.  Compared to previous times I have been there, it is the busiest I have seen it.  Apparently it was school holidays but we told that Paris has seen a 10% increase in tourists since the Olympics.  I was surprised because in the shoulder season previously it had been much quieter.


 

We had a drink for old times sake at the Café de deux Moulins where Bev, L and I had sheltered in the warmth and watched the snow falling outside.  The café had come to fame in the French movie Amelie.  It seems a bit faded nowadays. 


On the steps in front of Sacre Coeur

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