RVing in Europe - Paris, France, Day 3 Eiffel Tower

June 15 - 17, 2007

The line to go up the tower was a lot - it was a very long line.  We wanted to go up despite the long line so we queued up. We paid an entrance fee of Euros 23.40 for 3 persons to go up the tower.  One can choose between going up using the elevator or the stairs.  Going up using the stairs cost less.  It was a wonderful view of the city of Paris from high up there.  It was worth it paying the entrance fee.

Up in the tower, there was a restaurant/food and drinks shop.  We purchased french fries from a french man on the top of Eiffel Tower in Paris, France and ate it too.  It is just funny stating the obvious, bear with me.

We were kind of tired and it was raining, we went back to camp after our unsuccessful try to go malling outside of Paris.  The mall was closed as it was Sunday.

I haven't written about how scaldingly hot - hot showers are in most Europe's camps.  It was pre-set so there is no way one can adjust the temp while in the shower.  Maybe some people like it that hot but we don't. 

Our bill for 3 nights camping at Bois du Boulogne was Euros 94.50.

RVing in Europe - Paris, France, Day 2 Arc de Triomphe

 June 15 - 17, 2007

After getting off the metro/subway, we first headed to the Arc de Triomphe, which was at the farther end of Champs Elysee then we walked the whole stretch of Champs Elysee while alternately visiting some shops, buying some souvenirs, people watching, food-on-display watching, eating, window shopping, resting, taking photos and I'm sure we did a lot of complaining too - about doing too much walking, about how difficult travelling was. LOL.

We decided we would see Eiffel Tower on day 3.

RVing in Europe - Paris, France, Day 1 The Louvre

June 15-17, 2007

We spent a total of Euros 202 from Barcelona to Paris for diesel, 198 liters of diesel at Euros 1.02 per liter
We spent a total of Euros 83.75 for toll fees
Total mileage was around 1100 kms.

Camping du Bois de Boulogne is 11 kms from center of Paris.  We arrived in this camp early morning on June 15.  We checked-in, was given our assigned spot, settled-in and took a bath.  We were later ready to go to Paris - day 1.

At the gate of the camp, there is a bus that takes campers to the city (euros9.60 for 3).  From the city we took a metro/train/subway (euros 4.20 for 3) to reach Paris.

Entrance to The Louvre was Euros25.50 for three.  We decided to dedicate the day to The Louvre and that's what we did.  The Louvre, the building, was massive in size.  The Louvre's art collection was equally massive.  The Louvre is not meant for a day's visit definitely.  We took a lunch break and a Starbuck's break later to recharge and went back to the Louvre after each break.  We were happy we persevered going to all the rooms to see most art if not all of them.  We really enjoyed our experience and we felt proud to have seen these important art collections.  Btw, this was second time to see Louve for Mar and I.  The first one was in 1998.

RVing in Europe - Long drive from Barcelona, Spain to Paris, France

 June 12 - 14, 2007

It was about 9 pm on June 12 when we got back to Camping Masnou to get our RV.  Mar moved our RV in the parking lot before we left the camp to go to downtown Barcelona earlier in the day so that we would free up our RV spot and would not have to pay another day.  This was approved by the camp Manager.  We left the camp about 10pm and drove to the nearest aire to free camp as it was already late.

The following two days, we drove through a lot of mountains in France to reach Paris.  It was actually all mountains from Barcelona to Paris with elevation too high, we were afraid our old RV would not make it.  It took us 2 days/nights of leisurely drive, meaning we stopped a lot and took afternoon naps and around 1100 kms. total mileage.

A remarkable thing happened.  I found my maiden last name Cantal on the highway huge signs announcing the name of the commune and then again announcing the name of the mountain - as in Montagne de Cantal - or something like that.  I was thrilled and thought that maybe my great great grandfather came from this part of France and therefore I am 10% - plus or minus - French. Unfortunately, we were not able to take pictures of the road signs so there are no proofs.  When we got to an aire to take a break, we went inside a building with souvenirs shop and a restaurant on the ground floor and what did we see?  My French ancestors name etched on the tiles on the floor.

Oui.  S'il vous plat. c'est la vie!!  Merci. (Yes.  If you may or please.   Such is life!!  Thank you.)  LOL, I know some french words. 


After spending a total of 3 nights free camping in aires, we arrived in Camping de Bois de Bologne just outside of Paris.