Metro Super GAU & VIP visit to the Mona Lisa

Metro Super GAU

Today I, Cindy, am writing to tell you about our experiences. Well, where should I start?

First of all, we were really glad that entering Paris was relatively uncomplicated. I was already expecting Steffi to have a nervous breakdown with the driving style of my fellow countrymen... But that didn't happen, and Steffi skillfully led us to the campsite.

After setting up our camp, we headed to the Louvre. Elisa and I really wanted to go there, while the other two philistines preferred to explore the area.

The metro network here is super well-developed, and you can quickly reach all the highlights of the city with it. I had my awesome electric scooter with me, which I can use to get around anywhere in Hamburg. And if there's not enough space, I can fold it up and pull it behind me like a trolley suitcase. Super practical for being mobile despite my post-Covid weakness...

But I NEVER would have thought: the Paris Metro is not accessible!!! That means: no elevator, no escalator, no ramps... Just countless steps up or down! I struggled my way up or down with the help of the children, while Steffi carried my 30-kilo electric scooter... A painful and sweat-inducing situation for everyone.

I'm so angry: I thought Paris was a modern, open world city, and then something like this??? Today, one day later, I'm feeling the consequences and can hardly move due to the pain. It was my dream to be in the capital on the National Day of my country and enjoy the big spectacle. Now I'm lying in the motorhome while the others have ridden their bikes to the Eiffel Tower.

Small consolation: the visit to the Louvre was beautiful.

VIP visit to the Mona Lisa

Despite everything, we wanted to make the best of it and went to the Louvre afterwards. Just the sight of the buildings is breathtaking. The square with the pyramid, surrounded by the many splendid buildings, a feast for the eyes.
Elisa and I were able to go in through the back entrance because the elevator at the front was out of order. As modest as the metro was, the staff at the Louvre were all the more helpful. A big shout-out to them! I was allowed to bring my vehicle inside, so we could take our time. Elisa really wanted to see the Mona Lisa, it was a dream of hers. The fact that the painting is actually very small and inconspicuous didn't bother her. We were shocked at how long the line was and how much security was needed to keep the passive-aggressive crowd in check. What chaos for such a small painting! But we weren't any better, we wanted to see it too.
And as a small consolation for the inaccessible metro, Elisa and I were allowed to bypass the line, through a small gate, straight to the Mona Lisa: express access for people with disabilities. On one hand, I felt uncomfortable attracting attention with my vehicle, but at the same time, we could hardly believe our luck. We quickly took a few exclusive photos of the famous lady, trying to ignore all the people behind the barricade...
The rest of the Louvre was very interesting too, and I was pleasantly surprised that my pubescent Elisa shares my love for art. My children always surprise me! It was a really beautiful mother-daughter moment!