Bevons, Provence to Paris

Wednesday was a long day, but a very successful day. We left Mas Tulipe de Soie a little after 8:00. It is too bad we didn’t have more time in northern Provence. It’s a beautiful area and there seems to be lots to see and do. I would definitely stay at Mas Tulipe de Soie again.

Leaving Mas Tulipe de Soie

Our drive north to Lyon took us about 4 hours. We stopped to buy croissants and to fill the car with gas before we returned it in Lyon.

Croissants at a rest stop

We had a bit of trouble figuring out how to get to the rental car return place, but eventually we found it and returned the car.

Our train for Paris was supposed to leave at 1:00 but was delayed about 40 minutes. It was a bit comical. The train platform has video displays telling you where to stand on the platform for your train car. We were in car number 11 so we were at position Z on the platform. Then there was an announcement that the train configuration had changed and we needed to be at the other end of the platform. So everyone switched their position on the platform. Then about 15 minutes later they announced that the train was back to the original configuration and we needed to change places again.

Waiting for our TGV train to Paris

Eventually the train arrived, we got on, found our seats and 2 hours later we were in Paris. I love high speed trains! And then we got an email telling us how to apply for compensation for the delay and now we have a coupon for 29.50 € towards our next train trip.

From Gare de Lyon in Paris we took the Metro directly to La Defense where we are staying in the Hotel Mélia. We have stayed here twice before. Duke always books us a room with a panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre. And the Mélia has quick and easy access to Metro line 1.

The view from our room

We rested for a few hours and had complimentary tapas for dinner in The Level Lounge which is an added benefit with our room. Later we took the metro into the center and went to a 10:30 show at Le Duc Des Lombards jazz club. We saw JustKing Jones and his band. It was wonderful.

JustKing Jones
Walking back to the Metro
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Author: marionvermazen

I am a traveler, hiker, avid reader, Sun alumnus, computer geek, Spanish and French language student, knitter and genealogist. I am retired after working for almost 30 years in the Computer Industry. I live in Reno, Nevada with my husband Duke.

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