How exciting to be back in France again! This time for a two-week wine tour with 28 of my wine business students from Sonoma State University.
Our non-stop Air France flight from San Francisco touched down in Paris right on schedule at 11:40am, and we were able to clear passport control, find our luggage and pass through customs with no problems. Francy, our tour guide, was waiting to greet us, and ushered us onto a large comfortable tour bus.
It was a clear blue-sky day, and even though the temperature was only 63 F, the bright sunlight made it feel warmer. Fortunately the traffic into Paris was not that bad, and we arrive at our hotel around 2pm to check in, take a quick shower, and then meet again in the lobby at 3pm.
We jumped on the metro, and after about a 30 minute ride arrived at Place de la Concorde. After many photos we proceeded through the Jardin des Tuileries with a quick stop in the park for espressos. Eventually we reached the Louvre pyramid, and then continued walking over the Seine and to Notre Dame cathedral.
Mass was in progress when we entered the cathedral and the singing was very beautiful. Next we stopped at a quaint restaurant and had a 3 course meal of tarte d’ onion served with a Tourraine sauvignon blanc, baked canard (duck) and potatoes with a 2010 Bordeaux Rouge AOC, and chocolate mouse. By then it was 8:30 so most of us caught the metro back to the hotel for an early evening.
A great first day in Paris.