Bonne Année

Happy New Year! Before coming to Paris I had looked up online where the best place to go for new year’s was. There were 2 main places suggested – the Champs Elysees, and the Sacre Coeur Cathedral Plaza in Montmartre. We chose Sacre Coeur because it was less busy, and also a convenient walk from our hostel. We had a walk down to the Moulin Rouge, and then found our seats on the steps at about 6pm. Mum then went off to get some food which we ate up on the hill – we had meats and cheese and crackers and bread, and some wine and champagne (yes the frenchy type) to welcome in the new year.

Sacre Coeur

View of Paris

We could just see the tower

The Eiffel Tower at night

Mmm food

So crowded

We didn’t really have a countdown as such to the new year, but it was obvious when it was midnight, as there were fireworks over the Eiffel Tower, which we could just make out the tip of through the trees and buildings. I was a bit disappointed by the fireworks we could see – which were a few off in the distance, but then someone had brought their own fireworks, and I managed to get some photos of them :) At the end of the night it was a short walk back to the hostel. On the way there we witness a drunken fight – it was pretty scary, one guy got pushed over, and was nearly knocked out. I reckon he would have felt it when the alcohol wore off!

All the photos are closeups of the
fireworks cos they were only lit about 5m
from us!

Sparklers! These guys sat next to us

This one would be so much better if I used a tripod...

You'll just have to turn your head (or computer) for this one

Off to Paris

Early on Friday 30th December we caught the Eurostar to Paris. After dropping out bags off at our accom, which was only a short walk from the main station, Gare du Nord, we head to Notre Dame, which had a pretty cool nativity scene. We walked past a really weird pond, and then made our way to the Louvre – not to enter, but just to get some photos. That night we went searching for the Palais Garnier, or Opera Garnier, which is where Phantom of the Opera is set, only Adam’s all time favourite musical EVER. He was very excited to be there!

Outside Notre Dame

Crazy fountains :S

Palais Ganier

Magdalenae Church

New Year’s Eve start with a bus tour of Paris – we were too tired and it was too wet to do the free walking tour. The bus tour started and finished close by to the Magdalenae Church. We thought seeing as it was there we may as well take a look. It was rather unassuming from the outside, but very ornate inside. The bus tour price also included a cruise on the River Seine, where, at 2pm, Adam and I celebrated Australian New year’s with a glass of bubbly. We celebrated Sydney new year, but I’m not sure if that was intentional or a miscalculation in converting time to Brisbane new year :p After the river cruise we got some food from the Christmas markets.

Adam on the bus

Inside Magdalenae Church

Happy Sydney New Year!!

Having a snack from the Xmas Markets

Like my hat?