We arrived safely at Gare du Nord on Eurostar - though the ride was distinctly shuggly after we got into France - going to the buffet car was a bit like being in a salt pot. Anyway, Eurostar did us proud with J's bike arriving minutes after we did. We ventured out into Friday traffic and a gorgeous late summer day which had Paris looking it's best.
Our hotel is about 15 minutes walk from the station, but in a quiet area near to the Canal de St. Martin. The Hotel Garden de St Martin is cycle friendly - happily letting us leave J's bike in their nice little courtyard garden.
After braving the wardrobe lift, ie. room for 1 plus luggage only, we realised the room had a view of Sacre Coeur, though you do have to lean out of the window! 
Since we had the afternoon free, we took in some sights, including Notre Dame, the Ile St. Louis and the Sacre Coeur, where we watched the sun go down and the lights of the city come on, accompanied by a busker doing a very competent run through Coldplay and Bob Marley's Greatest Hits. Returning to the hotel, the bike is still there, so looks like the ride is still on!
i wonder are all French hotel lifts like that - the few i've been in all were!
ReplyDeleteMaybe - it's the first French hotel I've been in where the lift actually worked, so I've never looked before!
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