Post by geordy on Mar 3, 2012 18:05:01 GMT -5
I had looked up and noted the train times but we didn't purchase tickets ahead of time...left it up to the weather and how we felt. Well the weather was not great but we decided what the heck..
Quick stop in PD room and off to Gare de Nord. Train @ 9:46. Crowded included a high school age group. Teachers sat across from us..he shussing the kids if they got a bit loud, she reading "The Little Prince". Train left 20 minutes late..putting our arrival closer to noon.
School group got off one stop before Laon at Soissons..another cathedral town where we had a "following the f%$*ing fleur de lis and freaking freezing" experience and a tutorial on the importance of the soissons bean by our luncheon chef a few winters ago!
I had taken copious notes whilst reading Ina Caro's book on train trips from Paris and thus knew we did not have to climb the hill up to the Cathedral and Olde Towne..just followed signs outside of train station to the Poma..a cute little cable car(cables underneath not above), seats 12, 21 standees that runs about every 5mins Mon - Sat from 7am - 8pm and takes about 3 mins to the top. 1.20 E round trip.
We had it to ourselves..like an added bonus amusement park ride..it shakes, rattles and rolls as it goes up the incline and the views are great!
Exit behind the Hotel de Ville, around the corner to the Tourist Office and Cathedral. Friendly young ladies at Tourist Office, got map, info in English and a lunch recommendation!
Cathedral is divine..particularly liked the Oxen on one tower..part of a story about how when it was being built and a yoke of oxen faltered bearing the stone up the hill, a mysterious ox appeared, helped, and disappeared!
Temperature had to be 10 degrees colder in Cathedral than outdoors! Walked a bit on the ramparts behind...views would have been outstanding if it weren't rainy and foggy!
Town was very quiet so decided we better get to lunch before our options closed! Went with the recommendation Le Peche Mignon not far from Cathedral. Pretty little place..one man handling dining room, one other couple dining when we arrived. Later a family of Grandpa, Parents, Daughters, one hubby and child arrived for their Saturday lunch.
Started with the Cocktail de Maison. Not champagne based like most I've sampled...vodka, ice, fruit juices and who knows what else..refreshing and only "spirit" drink of trip!
Then tasty coquille St Jacques served in a little covered clear pyrex type dish. Sopped up sauce with good bread. Then souris d'agneau served off the bone with delectable carrots, spinach, roasted potatoes, and those wonderful soissons beans!! Beautifully colored huge serving...delcious! Topped off by specaloos creme brulee...didn't get the specaloos at first...first bites i just tasted the top and custard..specaloos were forming a bottom crust, thus not overwhelming the dish! Vin rouge and cafe. Nice atmosphere.
But weather was worsening so we went out to follow some more of the map and enjoy the old twisting streets and buildings in the mist.
Bought a jar of local confiture de lait, vanille, which I have yet to sample. Before lunch I had seen a sign on a shop saying they sold the Soissons beans..would have like a jar but didn't come across again.
Back down on the Poma to catch 4:02 pm train back to Paris.
.30 E for station W/C..door opens to reveal sparkling stainless steel turkish toilet.....S/O had a go and I waited for train W/C.
If you are touring the area, or as a day trip from Paris I highly recommend! In season the Tourist Office also has a little train tour. Had the weather been more cooperative we could have spent much more time in lovely Laon!
Quick stop in PD room and off to Gare de Nord. Train @ 9:46. Crowded included a high school age group. Teachers sat across from us..he shussing the kids if they got a bit loud, she reading "The Little Prince". Train left 20 minutes late..putting our arrival closer to noon.
School group got off one stop before Laon at Soissons..another cathedral town where we had a "following the f%$*ing fleur de lis and freaking freezing" experience and a tutorial on the importance of the soissons bean by our luncheon chef a few winters ago!
I had taken copious notes whilst reading Ina Caro's book on train trips from Paris and thus knew we did not have to climb the hill up to the Cathedral and Olde Towne..just followed signs outside of train station to the Poma..a cute little cable car(cables underneath not above), seats 12, 21 standees that runs about every 5mins Mon - Sat from 7am - 8pm and takes about 3 mins to the top. 1.20 E round trip.
We had it to ourselves..like an added bonus amusement park ride..it shakes, rattles and rolls as it goes up the incline and the views are great!
Exit behind the Hotel de Ville, around the corner to the Tourist Office and Cathedral. Friendly young ladies at Tourist Office, got map, info in English and a lunch recommendation!
Cathedral is divine..particularly liked the Oxen on one tower..part of a story about how when it was being built and a yoke of oxen faltered bearing the stone up the hill, a mysterious ox appeared, helped, and disappeared!
Temperature had to be 10 degrees colder in Cathedral than outdoors! Walked a bit on the ramparts behind...views would have been outstanding if it weren't rainy and foggy!
Town was very quiet so decided we better get to lunch before our options closed! Went with the recommendation Le Peche Mignon not far from Cathedral. Pretty little place..one man handling dining room, one other couple dining when we arrived. Later a family of Grandpa, Parents, Daughters, one hubby and child arrived for their Saturday lunch.
Started with the Cocktail de Maison. Not champagne based like most I've sampled...vodka, ice, fruit juices and who knows what else..refreshing and only "spirit" drink of trip!
Then tasty coquille St Jacques served in a little covered clear pyrex type dish. Sopped up sauce with good bread. Then souris d'agneau served off the bone with delectable carrots, spinach, roasted potatoes, and those wonderful soissons beans!! Beautifully colored huge serving...delcious! Topped off by specaloos creme brulee...didn't get the specaloos at first...first bites i just tasted the top and custard..specaloos were forming a bottom crust, thus not overwhelming the dish! Vin rouge and cafe. Nice atmosphere.
But weather was worsening so we went out to follow some more of the map and enjoy the old twisting streets and buildings in the mist.
Bought a jar of local confiture de lait, vanille, which I have yet to sample. Before lunch I had seen a sign on a shop saying they sold the Soissons beans..would have like a jar but didn't come across again.
Back down on the Poma to catch 4:02 pm train back to Paris.
.30 E for station W/C..door opens to reveal sparkling stainless steel turkish toilet.....S/O had a go and I waited for train W/C.
If you are touring the area, or as a day trip from Paris I highly recommend! In season the Tourist Office also has a little train tour. Had the weather been more cooperative we could have spent much more time in lovely Laon!
So easy for guys, right? 
;D
hahahha