Bonjour, Paris!

One of my favorite films, "Funny Face," with Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson, finds that trio arriving in the City of Light and saying "hello" to many favorite places. I said, "I'm back!"

We arrived on our pretty purple WOW jet at 5:30 p.m., and our friend Jerry met us at the airport and set us up with our transportation cards. This gave us unlimited bus and metro rides for a given period of time (I think he did a week). Then it was off on the train to Paris and our hotel, Les Jardins d'Eiffel.

Jerry had booked the room for us and he not only got us a great room, but it also had a great view!

(And the view was just as good in the daytime, too!)

And he stocked it with the most beautiful floral bouquet and a basket with additional toiletries, candles, a bottle of wine, you name it!

I have to say, the flowers were such a terrific touch and we enjoyed them our entire stay.

After a toast to Paris, we set out to dinner in nearby Rue Cler and dined at Cafe du Marche.

I was ready for a tasty salad and this spot had it, along with some nice red wine for us to share. Then it was off to bed and a long rest!

The next morning we headed out, going to our metro station near Hotel des Invalides. There was quite a to-do going on there and I asked the policeman (after seeing President Macron on the large screens), "President Macron ici?" "Oui," he said. And that's all I understood except he wouldn't let us in! But we found the entrance to the park outside, heavily guarded and joined the crowd.

There were plenty of television cameras and news reporters and Macron and company were actually inside des Invalides' courtyard. It was singer Charles Aznavour's memorial service.

People were in tears, there was music and addresses. We watched quite awhile and continued on our way.

Our plan had been to visit Musee Jacquemart-Andre but when we arrived the line was long, so we decided to walk a bit and return later. We made our way toward Arc de Triomphe...

...and then onward for a snack and a little bread buying and window shopping!

It was a gorgeous day -- very warm and sunny -- and we couldn't resist poking around Place Victor Hugo a bit more.

But we were to meet Jerry at the Musee at 2, so back we went. The line had disappeared and we had no trouble getting in.

If you have mobility or other issues, there are wonderful benefits at the French museums. See the travel tips below for details on this. We got in for free.

And more on one man's passion next time!

Travel Tips:

• Be on the lookout. You never know what you might see. It was quite interesting to be part of this crowd of French Aznavour fans who had gathered together to mourn his death. We couldn't understand a word but it was worth it.
• Tickets to museums can be booked in advance. We didn't do this (with one exception) because we didn't want to be held to a tight schedule. But if we had, we wouldn't have had to wait in the line. Your call.
• Jerry had told me I should bring a letter from my doctor indicating mobility issues but I didn't do this. Fortunately, he was very feisty or else I looked really miserable. Possibly both, because we were admitted at no charge. Apparently, with a doctor's note on letterhead, one who has trouble standing or walking can be admitted immediately to the museum with their companion and free for both. Next time, I will but I had thought I was improving before I left. I was wrong and next time will be more prepared.

Next time we'll see what a "few dollars" can get you in 19th century Paris! Or, "if you've got it, flaunt it."