Day 3: Sunday 30 March 2014

A little about the hotel, it is called the Grand Hotel des Balcons, and yes every room does have a balcony, if a metal grill across the window counts as a balcony.  As previously stated the room is tiny, I can get from the bed to the bathroom in two steps which is handy through the night.  However, it is very clean, a modern bathroom, friendly and helpful staff and a great location.  So all in all a good place to stay.

The Grand Hotel des Balcons

Today I walked to Le Hotel des Invalides.  This is France's main military museum and celebrates all of France's military victories over the last couple of hundred years.  As you could imagine this is a very small museum, only jokin folks.  I was interested in what they are doing in the way of commemoration of the 100 years since the start of World War 1 (The Great War or TGW) and from what I could see not much.  There didn't appear to be any special displays in the museum or details of any special services.  I suppose when a large part of your country was destroyed by the war and the outcome led to another war in 20 years time there isn't much to commemorate.

Also visited the tomb of the Little Corporal (Napoleon Bonaparte).  Now here's a guy that knew a bit about winning battles, but didn't do him much good in the end either.

Decided to catch the train back to the hotel.  Purchased a Paris Visite pass and conducted the entire transaction a la Francais!!  Also found my way around on the metro without any problems.

 

I have established a relationship with a waiter at a bistro called Tabac De La Sorbonne, I give him money and he gives me beer, a mutually satisfactory arrangement.  Might even go there again tomorrow.

Talking about money, I think I liked France more when it was gripped in a financial crisis, it is very expensive here now.  For brunch today I had a ham omelet and a cappuccino and it cost me 15 Euros. Convert that at .63 to the Euro and you get about $24 for an omelet & coffee.  A 50cl Heineken beer was 7.80 Euros or a bit over $12.

Anyway mustn't grumble, it might get a bit cheaper once I get out in the country.