The original plan was to take the train from Nice to Paris. While I was uncertain wether or not I’d be returning to France or not for school in the Fall this seemed doable. However, it soon became clear that TGV would never let us head to Paris with so many boxes and suitcases headed for storage. Leaving Nice a day early, I began the long drive to Paris, overnight pit-stop in Dijon.
Since there is really no need for a car in Paris, I bid au revoir to the trusty vehicle (though not without a few scraps and bruises) and relied on the extensive public transportation for the rest of my time in France. Just over a week in the city and I’d be returning to the US.
Dangling from harnesses, performers drum to a different beat for a festival in the 11th.
My last few visits to Paris have felt like everything except vacation-time and I’ve had to keep in mind that no matter how disappointed I am about this, it’s just a taste of what the next two years will look like. This trip was no different. While I was able to fit in some site-seeing, gardens and gourmet dining, most of my time was spent searching for apartments, meeting with my university, pursuing internships and filling out an assortment of paperwork.
Sooo…. can I be a kid again, please? Place des Vosges was a welcome break from rushing about though I regrettably didn’t join in in any childhood games.
Just outside the Pompidou – no time for the exhibit though I couldn’t resist a visit to one of my favorite museum stores in Paris.
Coffee after dinner at Pomze – though interesting, the apple-centered menu was not at all as delicious and innovative as I’d hoped.
Can you believe it’s been 8 weeks since I first began Le Grand Voyage? It was a wonderful experience and I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore France to the extent that I have. It’s a delightful country and for every destination I crossed off my list of musts, 10 more were added. To truly see this country, it takes far more than a week, a month, an annual visit, a year. It takes even more than a lifetime.
Le Grand Voyage Stats
Approximate Distance Traveled: 2830 km (1758 mi)
Total Road Trippin’ Distance for Le Grand Voyage (includes day trips, detours and excursions): 4812 km (2990 mi) – the equivalent of driving from Northern California to Rhode Island! Yaawza!
Fin.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, that’s a long trip. I might have missed few posts, but what is your plan now? Back to US, are you going to stay there or back to France?
It was long! But it went by so fast! As for the update, I’m in the US now but I’ll be back in Paris by August. I got accepted to a university and will be going back to search for an apartment as well as begin an internship.
I’m very excited!!
What fabulous pictures! Looks like the weather was perfect for your last days in your beloved city.
The weather the last week in Paris was the worst the entire trip!
But it was still a great trip.
Congrats on your internship and your University acceptance! How exciting to be living in France. Good luck to you and I hope you keep blogging!!!! Despite the end of your journey there will be new ones!
The Wanderfull Traveler
It is exciting!
And I’ll keep the blogging up, no worries!
Oh, Paris est trop belle! I love your photos! I’m going to Paris in August for a year long university exchange – and I can’t wait!
Oh how much fun! That’s when I’ll be headed back to begin my masters.