Paris in the springtime - for real.

 I’m just back from a brief trip abroad - which should have taken place two years ago! Not to be confused with this series. 

A brief drive brought us to the start of the rail journey. 

The information at St. Pancras wasn’t initially clear!

Part of the pleasure for me of being in a different country/city is simply being there. In Paris it seems you’re never far away from a massive column (40+) CRS (riot police) vans. 

On Sunday morning we set off early and the RER B line to Nanterre Prefecture was followed by a walk through Parc Andre Malraux. Currently there’s a display of some interesting historical posters. 

A vote to re-establish the Empire!  Only in France. 

The sunlit park - even at 0945 in the morning.  Soon our (well, my) destination hove into view.  

A toy soldier show!  My second visit to this splendid show. 

Having spent around 90 minutes and rather more Euros we rode back to Paris, dumped the loot at our hotel and set off on a walk to make the best of the excellent weather. 

The canal basin to the NE of the Place de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad - a pleasant walk and a nice light lunch. 

Then on the Metro to near the Pont d’Austerlirz and a stroll along the north bank of the Seine. 

On Monday - when I forgot to take photos - we walked from out hotel (near Grands Boulevards) to the Marais. Then Metro to the Champs Elysees. We walked as far as the Arc de Triomphe and half a mile or so beyond it on the Bvd Grand Armee. Then back as far as the presidential palace and the Metro back to our hotel. 

Tuesday saw our return to the UK. I’ll do a post on my show purchases soon.