Warning: Long day = very long post!!
For my 25th birthday, which luckily happened to fall during the two weeks of school holidays, I had originally booked a week in Paris, not knowing whether I’d be travelling alone or not, but intent on spending it in Paris. My visit to Lyon beforehand was more of a last minute addition which worked out due to timing, though I must say, there was a lot of cramming and rushing, and too many long 6 hour train rides in the space of 5 days. I complain now, but I’m sure I’ll miss it once I’ve left France. (Dear Canada/British Columbia, please build an amazing train system across the country/province!)
The Canadian gal pal had decided au dernier moment to join me for the first three days of my trip, which worked out perfectly, since the Airbnb I had booked in a Paris banlieue had originally been a reservation for 2 people/a queen sized bed. This was one of the best Airbnbs I have ever stayed at, because it had a fully equipped kitchen with a large dining room table, a couch area, two agile cats, and a bathroom with flattering lighting and hot water that never ran out (a problem I’ve had in other Airbnbs). And, we slept in a loft area with a skylight! Not bad for 22€ a night (for the bed)! However, it is 3 suburban train stops out of Paris Nord, and this meant buying a Navigo Découverte pass for 4 zones, instead of just 1, as Paris proper is Zone 1. The Navigo pass is valid for one week, but not from the date of purchase. Rather, it is valid Monday – Sunday, and since I arrived on a Wednesday, it would expire on the following Sunday. Since this pass is for unlimited transfers and rides all day long on the Paris metro/RER/suburban train lines, I decided it was still worth the €€ for the 5 days that I would have it. The remaining 2 days, I would just buy individual tickets into/out from Paris and wander everywhere on foot. Oh, the reckless optimism I had about the comfort of my boots.
So, armed with this wonderful unlimited pass, and a mini Paris metro map, we managed to navigate our way by foot from Gare D’Austerlitz to Gare de Lyon, and from there, took the metro to Paris Nord, and then a train out to Deuil-Montmagny. Deuil-La-Barre, or Montmagny (I’m still not sure which one is the most accurate for where we were), has a slightly deserted small town vibe; a great little bakery next to the train station where we grabbed fresh strawberry tartelettes, almond croissants, and sandwiches every morning; a sister city in Québec also named Montmagny (?); and no shortage of rude, sexist older men who corner girls with their bikes, or follow them to the train tracks, and harass them to show their tattoos. Male entitlement at its finest. Continue reading →