Left Ladenbach near Manheim & Heildelburg around 8am for the french border on our way to Paris. We would leave the German autobahn and travel on the French autoroute.
We travelled through the town and its surrounding roads keeping off the autobahn until we found the main one which would take us direct to Paris.
We crossed into France at a near deserted border post, Trucks are inspected here however. We then pulled into an Autogrill for fuel and a feed, back to Euros and now French and English. The food although highway food is definitely french, croissants, eclaire, sandwiche et tous. Later we entered a toll station and noted the very real gendames presence inspecting 'toutes les automobiles'. You have to stop at the barrier to get your ticket or pay your tolls, very convenient place to carry out an observation.
We left behind german villages and were soon travelling past french villages. Still difficult to photograph close up because of the sound and sight restriction barriers, can't disturb the locals or distract the driver. A familiar farm windmill for pumping water was near the edge of the road as were paddocks of sunflowers for the seeds.
One surprise were oil-well pumps bobbing up and down. Round hay bales were stacked on their sides sometimes 5 high to make a pitched stack and covered with tapaulins, must be a french word ?.
we approach Paris and join the 'Peripherique' the ring road serving the city and spot the 'Tour Effel' in the distance. Tonight we dine together at the hotel, 'plus d'argent' in central Paris. The RER or metro is across the road and I talk to 'Madam la concierge' for a ticket to the 'Lido', Folie Bergere ? finished 30 plus years ago. The competition is the Moulin Rouge, but I didn't like the movie so gave it a miss. Another pleasant evening with wine and good food. We plan to rise early as we did in Moscow for a photo at the base of the tower and a quick romp around the Arc de Triumphe.
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