Contrary to popular belief, the French will form a queue. However the list of things they are prepared to do this for is pretty limited. Bread and cash machines are the only things that readily spring to mind. And never expect it to be patient or orderly. Let you attention slip for a second and whoa! You’re at the back again!

We went up the Eifel Tower after dark last week. I have always wanted to go up in the dark just to see what the city looks like then. I have to say it’s not that impressive. A couple of the main landmarks are illuminated. But in general, I think the view is better in the daylight.

However, that wasn’t the real reason for the visit…

As is now happening in England, the French have taken to erecting temporary ice skating rinks at various locations during the winter months. In Paris there at least 3, the biggest being at the Hotel De Ville which is near Notre Dame. One of the others is on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.

It’s quite small, and I imagine it can get very crowded. This is why we chose a weekday evening to pay a visit.

It was a very cold, clear evening and it was quite cold enough at ground level. Having ascended a couple of hundred feet in the air, I wasn’t really surprised to find it was even colder. Of course, I can’t really complain about that – after all, if you go ice skating you rather expect it to be cold!

Most people seemed to be content with just skating round in a circle. But as ever, there was the odd show off who would try and impress everyone with their skill. Most pleasing was the fact that this was seemed to be a real family occasion. Lots of children with their families, and even the few hoodies on display seemed to be genuinely worn to keep the artic wind out. I am not sure if the blaring disco music, and light show improved the experience or not. However recognising, that I am getting old I won’t comment further on that!

After a while we decamped to one of the Cafés that are dotted around the first floor. With the Café being relatively deserted at night, we managed to get a seat by the window and were able to sit and watch the action from there in the warm. We also took the opportunity to ring my mum ‘Mother, I’m ice skating at the Eiffel Tower’ was an interesting variation on the ‘I’m on a train (or boat)’ calls she sometimes gets from me.

Coffee report = €4.10 for a crème, average quality, but piping hot which on cold night is all you need.

Feeling fortified, we the ventured back out for another quick session, before succumbing once more to the cold and heading for home.

Not been posting much recently. No real reason, just not really in the mood. So here is the first of a couple of posts tonight.

A couple of days ago, we ventured out to the Champs-Elysees to look at the Christmas lights. I saw on a Paris web site that visiting the Champs-Elysees at night was one of the ‘things to do’

Well, I am not sure if it is a ‘thing to do’ or not, but I guess if you are in town, it’s worth going for a look.

My first thoughts were that not much imagination had been used. All that has been done is that every tree on the Avenue has been draped in white lights – and that’s it. There isn’t anything to indicate that the lights are there for the festive season. Worst of all there was no tree; either at Concorde at the bottom, or at the Arc De Triomphe at the top.

So as we were walking up the road to the Arc De Triomphe, getting colder and colder I was thinking we would have been better of staying in! However as we got to the Arc and looked back down the slight incline, it all looked very pretty and quite tasteful. Restrained is the word I would use.

The view has subsequently been improved with the erection of a Ferris Wheel at Place de la Concorde.

While the Champs-Elysees itself might not have taken on much a festive atmosphere, the same can’t be said for the shops that line the upper half of the Avenue. Pretty much of all of them are decked out with Christmas trimmings and they all look quite inviting.

Although we were there on a Monday evening, it was really busy and there was quite a pleasant atmosphere. So despite my initial misgivings, it was a nice way to while away an hour or so.

I still think there should be a Christmas Tree though.

10 expressions you may never hear in France.

Thank you.
Yes.
Don’t mention it.
Excuse me.
No, after you.
Yes, I speak …..(insert English, German, Italian, Spanish as required).
Please.
What would you like?
We open on Sundays.
It’s free.