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Paris 1In my last section, we were finishing up our time in London and gearing up for Paris!

We headed over to St Pancras Station and boarded the Eurostar for our non-stop train over to Paris. More on this in my last section!

Upon arrival into Paris Nord Station, we jumped onto the Paris Metro system, activating our Paris Visite Card.
This card gives you unlimited access to the Paris transit system for the duration of your chosen period.  Cards can be valid for 1 to 5 days and for zones 1 through 3 or 1 through 5, depending on your needs. These cards start from $18.00 and can be pre-purchased through Renshaw Travel.



Paris 2We soon arrived to our home in Paris, The Four Seasons George V

Ideally located in the Heart of Paris’s Golden Triangle designer shopping district and just steps away from the Champs-Elysees, The George V was built in 1928 and boasts a 2 Michelin Star restaurant, Le Cinq.

 


We were shown to our Deluxe Room with a Courtyard View, and we definitely in awe with this courtyard view! Deluxe rooms range from 414 – 538 sq ft and contain 18th century inspired furniture, crystal chandeliers and marble bathrooms. Our exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenitieParis 4s include an upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability), Daily full breakfast and a USD 100 (equivalent) Spa Credit. At the time of our stay, this category room was going for EUR 1,200 per night.

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Later that evening, we set out to explore Paris!


We found a lovely little café with a view of the Eiffel Tower for dinner and then headed over the Seine to our River Cruise.

Paris 23Operated by Vedettes De Paris, this Sightseeing Cruise is 1 hour long. It starts at the Eiffel Tower and travels along the river in the center of Paris. This is a great way to view the monuments of Paris while a multilingual audio commentary (pre-recorded) gave us information to Paris’s history and legends.

We chose to take the evening cruise as Paris’s monuments are lit up in all of its fine glory!

These cruises can be pre-booked by me starting from around $30.00 per person.

After our cruise, we explored the area under the Tower and then proceeded Paris 6to enjoy a little Parisian Nightlife before returning to the George V for the night.

Paris 8The next morning, we ordered our complimentary breakfast to the room and then planned the day.

While Leah had some shopping on the agenda,  I had arranged a hotel visit at the Plaza Athenee.

In 1913, at 25 Avenue Montaigne, the Plaza Athénée opened at the same time as the nearby Theatre des Champs Elysées: the hotel soon became the gathering place for the most prominent composers and performers of the day.

By 1936, the hotel had achieved international fame. The Galerie des Gobelins and the restaurant “Le Relais Plaza”, its salons and apartments hosted many great personalities of this period including Joséphine Baker, Rudolph Valentino and Maurice Chevalier.

Paris 9When Christian Dior opened on Avenue Montaigne in close proximity to the Plaza Athénée, a new era began.  Avenue Montaigne quickly turned into the avenue of ‘haute couture’, and the Plaza Athénée became Paris’ focus for fashion and the arts.  In the past, the Plaza Athénée Paris 11has hosted such famous guests as Grace Kelly, Gary Cooper, Jackie Kennedy and the Ford family. The Plaza Athénée has now become a landmark.

Recently renovated and scented with the unique fragrance of amber, the hotel's 146 spacious rooms and 45 suites are a showcase of French taste at its very best.

Windows open onto either the avenue Montaigne, lined with magnificent chestnut trees, the peaceful Cour Jardin, the rooftops of Montmartre or even a side view of the Eiffel Tower. All the rooms and suites have king, queen or twin beds and most rooms offer a connecting room.Paris 10

Our Virtuoso Amenities include an upgrade at time of arrival (subject to availability), Complimentary breakfast daily and a one-way airport transfer. Pricing starts from EUR 950 per night.


I reunited with Leah and we were off to Hotel Fouquet’s Brarriere for lunch and a tour.
Hotel Fouquet's Barriere is situated at the corner Avenue George V and Avenue des Champs-Elysees - one of the finest avenues in the world. In the nexus of the prestigious Champs-Elysees and Avenue George V, the Hotel Fouquet's Barriere is the 21st century French Palace in Paris. A remodeled Hausmann-style construction, the five buildings that make up the hotel express both an Paris 14intimacy with the city and the freedom of expression of an extraordinary designer. The architect, Edouard Francois, and the interior designer, Jacques Garcia, have combined their talents to transcend space and time boasting an entrance hall like no other with a monumental stairway, vaulted walls, warm colors and mirrors reflecting a sparkling atmosphere of twinkling lights.  

Paris 12All guestrooms and suites are equipped with a dressing room, writing desk, contemporary furniture, Wi-Fi connection, high-speed Internet access and a flat screen TV. Beautiful marble bathrooms offer a separate shower and bath, double sinks and mist-free mirrors with a flat screen TV.

Our Virtuoso Amenities include a guaranteed category upgrade at time of booking, American Breakfast daily, a EUR 50 spa credit and a one way private transfer when you stay 3 nights or more. Pricing starts from EUR 655 per night.

After some more shopping, we headed over to Au Vieux Paris Restaurant, which had been recommended to us.

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Paris 20Located on Ile de la Cite near Notre Dame Cathedral, the house that the restaurant now inhabits was built in 1512 upon the completion of the cathedral and became the residence for the Canon Norte Dame of Paris.  It was later sold and became a Win Bar and has become one of the oldest restaurants in Paris and one of the few building built at this time to remain, including the house next door that still houses the current Canon of Notre Dame.

Paris 21The food and the location is an experience that you cannot miss!

Taking an opportune moment to wear off some of this evening’s culinary excess, we proceeded to wander through old Paris, seeing such sights up close including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Hotel de Ville, rebuilt in the 1870’s, has been located here since 1357.

And so concluded our final evening in Paris.

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In my final section, I will talk about the Eurostar and our final night in Europe at Stoke Park near London Heathrow.

Shane Maddaford is a Cruise & Travel Consultant at Renshaw Travel in Vancouver, Canada.

Should you wish to find out more about the Four Seasons George V, Plaza Athenee, Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere, Paris Visite Card or Vedettes De Paris, please don’t hesitate to contact him at:

Phone: 604 733 1010
Toll Free: 1 800 745 7753
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Agency website: www.renshawtravel.com
Cruise Website: http://selectthecruise.com

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