A DAY IN MARSEILLE

Who knew that summer was this close? Once again catching a (painfully) early train, I got to experience a wonderfully sunny summer day ... only two hours ride from Lyon.
The train journey already rewards us for getting up in the dark morning hours; we move through the flowing landscapes of the Provence softened by layers of mist. Then the sun begins to rise, tinting the mist the most beautiful shades of orange and rose . Moments like these can really only be enjoyed right there, as they are so fleeting, so difficult to capture, especially from a high speed train.

AND A THURSDAY IN HYÈRES

Have you ever heard about Hyères? I haven't, and my decision to go there was quite spontanious. Somehow I stumbled upon a Lonely Planet entry about this lovely, little town in the south telling me, basically, that it's a charming gem only visited by the Frenchies themselves. So, since I was already on the train website and had just booked the TGV to Paris, I didn't hesitate too long to book another one to the south.

After pressing my face against the window to finally see the sea again (happy me!!!), missing the first train from Toulon to Hyères (no, you can't trust the info screen when it says 50 minutes en retard...), I took a train straight out of a childrens' book, short and colourfully painted, to Hyères.

A TUESDAY IN PARIS

Vendors setting up shop near Notre-Dame.

Yesterday morning I got up really early and took the TGV to Paris. Two hours later, there I stood, at Gare de Lyon, in the middle of the busy everyday of a Parisian Tuesday. Even though I did not want to feel like this, taking the first few steps in this city that has just recently experienced horrible attacks, was strange. I started walking along the river, and by the time I crossed the Ile-de-St Louis the feeling was gone. I realised that it was just an average Tuesday. With very few tourists.