This schooner(?) has been converted into a restaurant. It sits on the expensive side of the harbour next to a Vaporetta (or flat bottomed ferry). Taking the ferry across the harbour we were treated to a fine display of Gallic bad temper as the ferryman took on a rather expensive yacht attempting to cross our path. The ferry costs three francs, but you can save more than that on the price of a single 25cl beer.

In the background you can just see Notre Dame. The church is topped by a gold coloured statue that appears to be about 40 or 50 feet tall, of the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus. There are four angels at their feet with trumpets, or post horns.

This is what we came for, the high speed train to Paris. It runs for part of the journey on specially designed and constructed track, so it can reach top speed. Top speed, apparently, is something in excess of 500kmh! In Britain, where all we ask of the railways is to run safely and on time, we do not even aspire to this sort of service.