A direct train to Paris

Sounds great right?  However, at the first stop, in Avignon, the train station experienced a major electrical problem when someone shorted out a major transformer.  Three trains were in the station at the time, and none of them could move.  So after about 30 minutes, we were told that a bus would take us to the other TGV (high speed) train station in Avignon.  A young Frenchwoman named Juliet was kind enough to explain things to us, and lead us to the bus stop, which involved crossing a major road, with all of our luggage.  After about 10 minutes, and no bus, and lots of people in the same position, Bori negociated with a taxi to take us and Juliet to the other train station

Avignon city wall

Gate in Avignon wall, as seen from the bus stop

Bus stop to the Avignon TGV station

We were able to get on the 10:39 TGV train to Paris, and it was non-stop.  We found seats, and felt lucky to be making progress towards Paris.

A box lunch on the train

View out the window, at high speed

Cows, safely grazing, as seen at high speed

After we arrived at our hotel in Paris, we went out walking in the neighborhood to the Hotel de Ville, which is the city hall of Paris, and a beautiful building.

A few blocks away from the Hotel de Ville, we came upon a man cutting a woman's hair on the street.  Always something interesting going on.

Sidewalk stylist

His publicity materials