Well all good things come to an end and today was my last day in Paris.

You gotta love a hotel with a 12 PM checkout. With a 10 PM flight out, I planned to hit a couple of sites and maximize time before undertaking the 27 hours back to Sydney.

I took a lazy stroll up to the Sorbonne University area and went looking for the Honour Roll, or at least a record of the famous alumni. I was keen to locate St Ignatius Loyola who founded the Jesuit order of Priests, and also set up the schooling system still in place today that my son attends in Sydney (St Ignatius Rivierview). I eventually found this massive building that had hundreds and hundred of names chiseled into the wall. I can't recall his exact dates when he was there (Circa 1530's), but eventually I found him on the 3rd column of about 200.

From there I went across the road to The Pantheon. This is an amazing structure that the Architect borrowed the best from the Greeks and Romans and anyone else with an eye for detail. It is grandeur on a grand scale.

Initially built as a Church for the patron saint of Paris (St Genivieve), it was later handed back to the people of France. Beneath the floor is a crypt containing literally a who's who of great French Nationals who have contributed across all fields of endeavor. There are great writers. scientists, philosophers, leaders........the list goes on.

I love this aspect of the French patriotism, let's celebrate and recognize our favourite sons and daughters and do it on a grand scale. In and outside the Pantheon there are a series of massive columns holding up high one of the most ornate domes you are ever going to see. Aside from the Eiffel Tower this is my number 2 Place to visit in Paris. I had my good camera (not iPhone) there to snap away, so will try to get some of those pics up later.

After that it was back to Hotel > Train to Airport and now I am posting this from Dubai before the final leg to Sydney,

Thanks for sharing part of my journey with me. I have enjoyed entering the world of blogging, and while I still sent some traditional postcards, I believe it a great crossover from old to modern times blending journaling and staying in touch with many. Thanks again for all you positive comments and thoughts along the way.

If you have friends out there who seek more specifics around the cycling aspects of the trip, then I am more than happy to share details in this space. They can reply to this blog to find me.

It's been one he'll of a a ride and eat over 3 weeks in Italy and France.

Regards

Cycling Foodie

Posted from

Dubai, United Arab Emirates