Heading to Paris

I started this on the train on Friday while we were heading to Paris. Trains are punctual here and late trains are announced as such, even if it’s by just 2 minutes!  Speaking of modes of transportation, the electronic arrival /departure boards also automatically update the number of bicycles available for use nearby, with the number changing every few minutes as someone returns or takes a bike. Cycling, as a way of getting around, is taken seriously here.

In Bordeaux, as I’m sure in other places, there are churches that have the bell towers separate from the main church because of the weight of the bells. One of them was “open” to people who wanted to climb the 231-step spiral staircase to the top to see the bells. In France however, “open” is a pretty abstract concept. Starting October, things are generally open from 9h30-12h:30 and 14h30-19h00, except when they’re not, and that seems entirely to be at the whim of whomever is in charge on any given day or at any particular time. Jours exceptional, strikes, holidays and other special national days, happen often and don’t seem to be applied across the board, so it’s pretty hit and miss as to whether you’ll ever find something open the same hours two days in a row.

By chance we frequently ended up at this bell tower and each time we’d decide that this would be the day to make our ascent.  Except that it never was – each time there was always a fresh, neatly written explanation for the latest closure, taped to the door.  On our last day in Bordeaux, the one day we had of extraordinary sunshine, we had “la chance” – the bell tower was open and up we went. The staircase gets progressively more narrow as you climb and personal width and foot size can present challenges. By the top, I had both working against me.  It was worth the challenge though: here are some photos of the view.  You can see the ferris wheel mentioned in earlier posts, in the first picture below.  The grand clock is shown in the distance and again, up close.  And look, I have a store in Bordeaux!