PORT DE L'ARSENAL - PARIS

After years of trying we were accepted into the Arsenal in Paris. The consolation prize for going the long way to Ghent is a couple of days in Paris. We hope we can afford the time. That depends on any future breakdowns/stoppages of the waterways network. Who knows? Getting into the Arsenal is quite a challenge.The entrance is a tiny 'gap' in the walls of the Seine. Phone ahead and hope they have the lock ready for entry. With the flow of the Seine you don't want to hover. This was all organised. As we approached closer all looks good except two red lights. Back onto the VHF radio, 'Can we enter?' 'Yes of course, it is ready for you.' 'We have two red lights!' 'Don't bother about the lights.' So in we came. It's tight.

The entrance from the Seine.

The locking process took a while as one of the gates has to be manually closed as it is currently malfunctioning. We did have a lot of gongoozlers (onlookers) whilst we rose slowly.

Gongoozlers.

We found our correct mooring and settled down for a couple of days in Paris.

Rafted up for a couple of nights.

The Arsenal is a great location next to Place de la Bastille and Le Marais. All the historic areas and sites are very walkable.

Pretty lights at night down L'Arsenal towards Place de la Bastille.

So a couple of days seeing friends, bimbling, a few nice meals, a gallery and probably a bit of retail therapy. Personally I'm looking to the retail therapy next week at Max Guerdon in Compiègne, one of the best chandleries in France.

Margaret with a full English breakfast in the heart of Paris. As they say, someone had to do it.