Day 17: Beaune to Paris

After serious contemplation, I decided to swallow the fee for the last two days in Beaune and go to Paris. My hotel had room, so things fell into place.

I walked to a third cafe for breakfast, ordered the baguette with butter and (apricot) jam, which is called a tartine, and a grand cafe creme. It’s funny how the coffee is served differently, today’s cup had a shot of espresso and a side pitcher of warm milk. I just filled the cup. It makes such sense to serve warm milk, your coffee stays hot.

There was a table of 5 teenage girls, probably 17ish, at the cafe. The croissants were gone so one of the girls went over to the boulanger and brought back a bag full. She was thin as a rail and proceeded to eat one plain and one chocolate. And had a chocolat chaud. They were all adorable.

My lovely taxi driver picked me up and off we went to the station. The woman in front of me on line had a 10 minute discussion with the woman selling tickets. I think she needed a special card for special fares. My request just took a few minutes.

There was a local train to Dijon where I changed for an express to Paris. Again, I got the first class ticket and I’m glad I did. There were SO many people waiting for the train.
I easily got a taxi and 10 minutes later I was at the hotel.

It is a very typique French hotel, ie small rooms. I wasn’t crazy about the first one I was given, and as my mother used to say, “if you don’t ask, you don’t get”. Now I have a Tiffany blue room with a wood floor, much preferred to a carpet!

Laurence (female, pronounced “Lor ance”) at the desk has been very sweet. I decided to go for a walk and she pointed me in the direction of the department store, Bon Marche.
The hotel is in the neighborhood of the Universite de Paris so I feel right at home.

There are wonderful shops all around, unfortunately many are still closed for the August vacances. Can you imagine paying rent in Paris and having no income for a month?
There were two right by the hotel that had quintessential fall clothes in their windows.

Beautiful cheerfully colored woolens. I think it helps to be a size 8 or less.

Bon Marche was a bit of a disappointment to me. The ground floor was divided up into very expensive boutiques of big name designers. I really want to see a more varied assortment of accessories which I think I can find at other places like Au Printemps and Galleries Lafayette. and I’m looking forward to going to a market recommended by Willa.

I returned to the hotel and Laurence gave me a Coca Light and a small bowl of chips. Perfect. The entire wall in the lobby is a living wall.

I’ve never seen anything like it. FAB!

By the way, I see lots of people of all ages riding electric scooters. It’s a thing!

I asked for a restaurant recommendation and was directed to Cafe Louise, two blocks away. I didn’t want a big dinner and told the waiter that. He told me to get their burger Louise. So I did. It was delicious, it came with cheese, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and a special sauce (sounds like a McDonald’s commercial). Also a small salad and delicious. FRENCH fries. I sat at a table just inside, looking out on the Blvd. St. Germain. I wasn’t quite ready to leave so I ordered a decaffeinated coffee. And I got the bill. 8 1/2 bucks. I think that’s the end of my coffee ordering in France.

I am very happy to be here.

I have learned a few things, valuable lessons. Although the fairytale was that I would meet congenial people and get around by myself in a rental car, the reality is that single women are somewhat invisible. I didn’t see any others. I didn’t feel confident enough to rent that car and go out on my own. That disappoints me. I think that travel for me, from now on, will probably be with an interest group, cooking or educational, being with people who have similar interests. Although I must say that I am happy to be in Paris. We will see what the next few days hold.

Love,
Lynn