We woke to another fine day of weather (Provence averages 300 days of sun a year) and another lovey breakfast on the veranda. A little packing and soon it was 9:30am our ETD . . .

We bid our goodbyes to Neil. Nat had driven the kids to school so we missed them  . . .

. . . after a round of hugs and kisses  . . .

. . . . there was time for one more group shot.

The whole group headed to the TGV station in Avignon, 20 miles away.Pam and Terry are heading to Lyon for two days and will fly home from there. Diana and John are staying in the area for several more day sand will fly home from Marseilles . . . while Gary, Bobbie, emJay and I are heading to Paris for several more days of FUN!!!!

Time for one more shot at the station before we went our separate way . . . Safe travel to all!!!

The trains in France run like a Swiss watch. You buy your ticket and stand on the platform where the train is going to stop and at the location of where your car will be . . . easy!!!  We bought lunches to eat on the train . . .

. . . and even the bread was made locally at the TGV station!!!! The French may have ‘free’ nationalized medicine but they should extend that ‘free’ luxury to using the bathroom. At most major transport hubs you need to PAY  . . . usually about .7 Euro. FUNNYY!!!!!

It was time to develop some plans for Paris . . .

. . .and three hours of direct, non-stop travel at 200 mph brought us there!!!!

Two levels below the train station was the metro station. On we jumped, made one transfer and  surfaced two blocks from hotel . . . easy peasy!!!!

. . . . lots of scooters in Paris. Especially ones with three wheels. Two in the front and one in the back.

We are staying at the three star New Orient Hotel located in the 8th arrondissement, not far from the Arc e Triumph/

Cozy room. Not sure why the French have not gravitated to all queen or king  size rooms  . . . . but we have twins!!!!

clean and airy . . .

. . . soon t was time to head out for drinks and dinner. We went to a little bistro down the street ranked very high on Trip Advisor. A reservation at 7:30 made on the  site got  us a 20%discount. Yippeee!!! Our first toast in Paris was dedicated to my little sister Roxanne, who is celebrating her  birthday today. Have a great day and wish you were here with us!!!!

. . . starters included a yummy tomato anchovy salad . . .

. . . pomme de terre with fromage . . .

Steak au poivre for an entrée , , ,

. . . and crème caramel for dessert . . . .all washed down with  two bottles of wine!!!!

. . . on the walk back to the hotel I could see the French are trying to do the right thing. . . . there were  six choice parking spots for charging electric cars!!!! I wonder if the battery in mine at home is still charged??????

We are looking forward to our time in Paris too!!!!