I was quite jittery when we first walked in, but the atmosphere was intensely peaceful, a pipe organ was lilting, and I felt grounded for the first time since arriving in Paris.


We treaded the floor gently, and thought about the thousands of people who have pilgrimmaged here over the years, being awed by the beauty within and without.

We bought a two-day-red-double-decker-tour-bus pass and jumped on and off wherever we liked along the route. Just look at the architecture. No 1970s Glen Avon apartments here.

First stop: Les Champs Elysees. I was astonished to note that there are huge trees lining this wide street. I had expected a poky, stifling place, but the openness of it was fabulous.

Our first glimpse of the Tour Eiffel. She was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889, commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution and was the world's tallest building until 1930. Up close, she is magnificent. We went up the tower (which was all lit up like a Christmas tree) just before midnight, and we snuggled and gazed at the sparkling lights all over the city.

Just hubby and me, in our little francais bubble.