La Bicyclette Bleue*

Another day, another tour of Paris! While Saskia and I both racked up more miles on our shoes, we also hit the capital city of France by bicycle today! Yes, we braved les rues avec les drivers francais!

Paris has an amazing bike rental program with stations all over the city. We took advantage of bikes near our hotel, crossed through the Louvre, rode along the Seine and stopped to enjoy scenic views of the Eifel Tower by day. Needless to say, we got some amazing shots and I’m excited to share a re-enactment with friends Carla & Erin! Ever the adventurer, Saskia again allowed me to art direct and proved to be a fun model in all shoots. Thanks Sas!

From le Tour Eifel, we crossed the Seine, got a few more shots, then headed to L’Arc de Triomphe. Though adventurers, we dared not the roundabout to the center. Instead, we dropped off our newfound transportation, enjoyed cafes on Champs-Elysses while a rainstorm passed, then enjoyed more posing throughout the city (You should know, Avid Reader, that London was a wet mess until the day we arrived last week. Paris was as wet. We didn't see a drop of rain until this afternoon -- and it was after we parked our bikes. Talk about an amazing weather trip; this was it!).

Our final destination took us to Montmartre for The View of Paris from Sacre Coeur. Saskia discovered another boutique on the way, so more shopping ensued. Given that everything was in Euros, I’m unable to report on how much she actually spent. I also doubt she will confess. Always the tourist scene, we actually caught the most amazing (soccer) juggler I've ever seen. He even proceeded to scale a lamppost while spinning the ball on a pen on his nose. Um, no joke.

Our day ended with a final walk from La Magdalene to the hotel such as to get to the train to London. I will miss Paris again, but am pleased to have again whet my appetite by getting a taste over these past few days.

Paris, comme je t’aime. Au revoir, mon cherie. Je te raconte comme les cheveux.



*La Bicyclette Bleue was a book read by a woman who my Aunt & Uncle hosted one summer in Boise. We took her on a camping adventure; I know that that experience is what drove me to study French in high school, college, and beyond. Pretty defining, no?