Paris

After last week's uninspiring trip to Leeds, we have the more inspiring city of Paris this week. Nothing against Leeds, I think it's more to do with the content of the meetings.

I've always loved Paris, and I like the atmosphere no matter what the time of the year. We're popping down for a few meetings, but it's quite a leisurely pace, so we have a little time to explore. We arrive late on the Wednesday and enjoy a few beers in the centre before heading for an early night and enjoying a good sleep before a day of meetings the next day.

The meetings are in the Universite Marie Curie. It is a concrete monstrosity which is just across the seine from the Notre Dame. It is absolutely horrible, even getting into the place, you are reminded of 1980's cheap concrete buildings. It looks like a a communist power station. Possibly a nod to Marie Curie's Polish roots:



we eventually find our roots, and discover that there is a wonderful view. Not just because you can't see the Universite Marie Curie from the Universite Marie Curie, but also as our host tells us, he's been in the same office for years, and never seen Paris in the same light:



These are the views that make me love Paris. After hours and hours of meetings, our host suggests that before we head off to the other end of Paris for a meeting, that we should get some lunch and enjoy the weather by the Seine. we then have a meeting sitting on the Seine:



This really is the life. we have canals in Amsterdam, yet we never use them. I can't think of a better location for a meeting while we tuck into Cambenbert Baguettes.

For the Afternoon, we are heading to Place De Italie for a meeting in a different building. We are on the 9th floor in some very Plush offices, so we get a different view of Paris from the lift:





After the meeting, we have a few beers on Place de Italie, and once he's headed off, we get in a taxi to 17 Rue Beautreillis. This is where Jim Morrison died. I'm not there purely to listen to Crystal Ship and marvel at the enigma that was The Doors. I also know from a trip to Paris in 1999 that there is a damn good restaurant on this street. My boss(Not a doors fan), is a little dubious, but after a beer across from Jim's Balcony, we head for the restaurant:



Before long we are tucking into Carpaccio de boeff, Cote de boeff and fine french wine. My boss is now impressed enough for him to believe that the trip was based on more than just teenage rock idolisation. Suitably refreshed, we head off back to the Hotel.

Our quick trip to Paris is over and all we have is the leisurely trip home courtesy of Thalys.