Pretty, pretty Paris

No matter that it is cold and grey, this is such a pretty old town. We spent ALL DAY (well, from 12 til 9) driving here yesterday and most of this morning bickering over driving directions and other silly things, but even so we managed to have a lovely time foux-de-fa-fa-ing around today.

We managed to tick off:

• the metro (duhh)
• the Eiffel Tower - great excitement from Hen, who has a real affection for it (at 6). Who knew?
• the Musee du Quai Branly, which is dedicated to the 'first arts' of asia, the americas and oceania
  
• mooching along beside the Seine
• crepe au chocilat (one between four was actually enough - yum!)
  
• Notre Dame all lit up and pretty-like with a gorgeous christmas tree - as above
  
• the Centre Pompidou and
• groovy ice skating outside the Palais de Justice (not participating, sadly, just a wee bit too late in the day for small people at their limits)

And we made it back to our hotel in one piece and married. Hallelujah. We changed hotels this morning as I was so incensed with the extraordinarily rude service on arrival last night where we had originally booked. It is a chain we have used in Germany and France several times, but we have never on this trip (except perhaps the Chinese Embassy in London, but let's not go there...) had such patronising customer service. And yes, I have given formal feedback that will make a difference - well it made me feel better anyway.

So now we are at our nice Novotel for an excellent online rate including breakfast, a short metro ride from the centre of Paris.

It can be v difficult and expensive to find quad/family rooms in Europe, with many hotels only allowing one child per room, so Novotels with their 'kids stay free" family rooms can be an excellent fallback option. Tip for the day. Sadly parking is 20 euro a day, but that is just part of being here.

Tomorrow the Louvre and other touristy things. Thank goodness for off season.

x