Versailles and the Paris Airshow

I tagged along with my old people to Paris for the air show. Paris is a brilliant place with lots of places to visit, however, beware the public transport system. Paris is rife with pick pockets (dippers), especially on the transport system. In the last few years, whenever I have been, someone has had their wallet taken. So - boys: be careful putting your valuables in you pockets, especially if they are loose or on a jacket as they can easily be taken out and the pick pockets are well practised. Girls - keep your bag in front of you, preferably take a bag that zips up so it is a bit harder. For those that worry about having the handle cut, keep a hold of the handle and keep the zip protected as well. The harder you make it to dip the better.

The Palace at Versailles

Anyway enough of the security warning. First off we went to Versailles. The ticket was 20 euros and gave us access to the audio guide for free. The queue outside looked really long, but moved pretty quickly.  It took us an hour to do the inside of the palace, which was absolutely beautiful and is a great place for budding photographers (just no flash photography). We then went out into the gardens. The gardens were huge and as it was hot we only went down to the pond and back. You could hire a golf buggy to tour the garden and there are other buildings you can go and see.

The view of the palace gardens

The main reason we went to Paris was actually to go to the 2017 international air show at Le Bourget airport. The preceding days had been for trade and press, so we went on the first day it was open to the public. It had lots of stands displaying in the hangers, but the men wanted to see the whole days flight list, so we spent the day sat by the runway watching the planes. Now I love planes too and photograph my favourites. The music played alongside the flight meant that I discovered just how graceful the Airbus A380 actually is, as it took off, flew and landed before us.

Airbus A380

There was also a display by the French equivalent of the red arrows (I am afraid I don't remember the name of the team), which is always a bonus and lots of fun to photograph, even if high speed does mean off centre, fuzzy photos. It was a great day, but if you want to see the stands and static displays as well as all the flying you will need to be there for opening at 08:30. There is a free shuttle bus to/from the RER train station and security is pretty thorough - don't take too many bottles of drink, you will have to drink out of each one. Apparently the air show alternates between Paris and Farnborough, so it will be back in Paris in 2019. The ticket was pretty cheap and you can get a return to Paris' Gare Du Nord for less than an airfare. It is also nice to see a mix of commercial planes (the A380 was launched here back when it was new) with display teams and (my favourite) the fighter jets.

Paris is also the home to the Eiffel tower and the Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa. I have been to both of these places before and if you are in Paris they are definitely places to go and see. There is no end to places to go out to eat and drink and the French take food seriously. There are also plenty of cheap hotels that charge by the room, rather than by the person (so no single room supplement). It is also a great place to shop and if you wish to go see the Arc De Triumph on the Champs Elysees then make sure you mind the traffic. There are pedestrian traffic lights, but even when it is green to cross, watch out for the cars turning right into you.