Swarovski staircase, Champs Elysee

A quick continental breakfast in the hotel restaurant was enough to keep us going until lunchtime.

We pack our bags and check out, leaving our hand luggage with reception.

Our usual stroll pass the chocolate shop (still closed since Friday evening, d'oh) and up to Arc de Triomphe.
We had time to admire all the sparkly items in the Swarovski shop on the Champs Elysee.
Being cautious as we climbed the glass staircase encasing loads of crystals! Stunning shop.

Got on the Metro and took the Green line 6 to Bir-Hakiem (Eiffle Tower). Arrived early so walked along by the Seine and looked around the Christmas market stalls and tourist shops.

We decided to check in a little early for the lunch cruise on Diamant (which was by 12.30pm).
We waited with the other diners in the warmth of Pier 7's reception lounge. We looked at the menus the staff had given us. Choosing dessert is always the easiest part :)

Waiting to board Diamant.

We joined the queue and handed over our reservation and they told the usher our table allocation.
We were ushered to table 520 a window table on the port side. Groz kindly sat facing backwards to the direction of travel. Fortunately we didn't have any tables by the side of us, as there were the steps up to the central corridor of the boat. We were fairly near the front in Select Service. The front being for Premier tables.

Each table had a rose,

a bottle of still water, and an ice bucket with a bottle of  Chardonnay chilling :)

We were all handed a glass of Kir (sparkling Blanc de Blanc added to blackcurrant liqueur cassis), delicious.
The ladies glass of Kir was sweeter as it had more cassis added than the gentleman's.

The waitress took our orders for Entrees, Plats and desserts and wrote on a pre-printed form. A copy stayed on our table. I figured out why she had written "H" and "F" by each dish listed. It was to make her job easier when serving each dish "male" and "female". Less chance of interrupting the moment.

She placed a selection of nuts and snacks before us.

12.45pm we depart pier 7

Not long afterwards a photographer went around each table taking photos.

He later sold them if you wished to keep any of them. It was worth it just for the wallet souvenir alone at 15 euros per photo.

The journey down the Seine was incredibly smooth. A more leisurely pace than the water taxis.
Starting with the Eiffle Tower, but we were looking port side so we saw Le Palais Chaillot, Le Grande Palais, The beautiful Alexandre III bridge, La Place de la Concorde, Grande Roue, Louvre museum, Pont Neuf (new bridge) and La conciergerie

then we had our delightful starters arrive just as Notre Dame appeared. The waitress poured glasses of Chardonnay for us from our ice bucket.

I enjoyed my gravlax salmon marinated in dill served with salad and tangy whipped cream. Groz said his scrambled eggs with wild mushrooms and diced bacon with bread fingers was fabulous.

We sail on past Hotel de Ville and the turn around point is by the Bibliotheque.
The sun came out and we were cruising back the other way.

Pont de Bercy was an interesting bridge.

Our mains arrived as we passed Notre Dame on the other side.

A bottle of Medoc was served with our main course.
Groz had a winner with the most succulent tender pork filet served with braised lettuce in aromatic Madeira sauce. The wine went very well with my roast chicken medallions served with buttered cabbage and red wine sauce.

Try as we might we could not finish both bottles of wine!
We thought it was all very generous for the cost.

It was difficult to see into the sun L'Institut de France, Musee d'Orsay and L'Assemblee Nationale.

Alexandre III bridge,

Eiffle Tower and pier 7

I didn't take too many photos as I didn't have room in my bag to bring the camera charger, I was saving it for Lady Liberty.

Turn around point at La Statue de la Liberte

We are served our gorgeous desserts. Opera cake with chocolate and coffee icing and arabica bean cream.
Although the Ladies was sweeter with the coffee flavour, the Gentleman's dessert was more masculine with a bitter dark chocolate flavour. The waitress points out the Cygnet island.

It was layers of chocolate, cake and icecream.

Served with espresso coffees if you wished.

The live entertainment was splendid. A violinist played some really famous classical pieces well. The wine and ambience reached new highs when everyone joined in clapping along to a Russian tune. The Vivaldi was beautifully played. Great atmosphere :)

After reaching pier 7 again 2 hours later, there was no rush to get off the boat.

An amusing thing happened, I went downstairs to freshen up, and came back to the story of the moody waitress, who was sulking because she thought we hadn't left her a tip. Infact she was so embarressed when she lifted the empty saucer and saw a couple of large euro notes staring back at her yet others only put a few coins in their dishes. Wish I had seen her face.

The lunch cruise was faultless, food, wine, entertainment, views, staff. Can't wait to go back again!
oops I forgot to mention the price didn't I.... 65 Euros a head.

We finally disembark at 3pm.

I bought myself a sparkly Paris t-shirt souvenir in their gift shop :)

Larger images are available for viewing in our gallery.
 

More on the next page soon ------->>