Day 3 - In which Pooh and Piglet get Very Lost

Our last full day in Paris combined activities that were typical of a visit to this fascinating city and the pitfalls of a city this size.We split up first thing : Carmel & I went up the Eiffel Tower, while David & Justine went to the Arc de Triomphe. The ascent up the Eiffel Tower to the second landing - by lift - provides breathtaking views of the city, but takes a 45 minute queue and two security checks. By the end we had had enough and descended on the stairs to save time. It was a feat of endurance but we managed to make it without collapse. Unfortunately we then got lost on the metro, missed out on meeting Dave & Jus,but after texts back and forth we eventually met up at the Louvre. We all had a museum pass and found an entrance where there was no queue at all, then spent a fascinating two hours taking in paintings, sculptures and the Egyptian exhibition.The Louvre covers a block 700m long, and it is said you could take weeks and not see all the exhibits. But we manged to see the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the famous paintings by Carvaggio,Reubens and the other Old Masters. After a late picnic lunch in the adjacent prk we split again, with Carmel and Juss shopping in Lafayette and then going on to Montemarte and seeing Sacre Coeur, while Dave & I planned to take in some of the historical museums near Notre Dame.Sadly our plans went astray when we spent almost an hour on the BatoBus in 30 degree heat, then found the museums closed for the day, then walked several km looking for a bar to quench the resultant thirst. By the time we found one there was time for only one quick beer then back to the apartment. After we all regrouped, we went down to the Latin Quarter - reluctantly chancing the BatoBus again - and had a nice three course meal and a bottle of wine, including escargot for Dave & I. We then trudged around for at least 20 min looking for a metro station to get home before climbing into bed after midnight.But the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and snails - how more French can you get ?