One morning during our 2011 VirtualTourist meeting in Paris, we met in the Parc du Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower for a picnic.
I rode over there on a Vélib’ bike from the Latin Quarter — as did another VT member, Dave Sut. (He and I and several other VT members were staying at the same small hotel on Rue Cujas.)
VirtualTourist members at the picnic
Like most VirtualTourist meetings, this one was completely organized by the members themselves, and in this case there was a high degree of last-minute planning. During the picnic, Paul and I went over to a nearby restaurant to negotiate with the owner about having a meal there for thirty-five people that same evening. Thirty-five was the maximum capacity of the restaurant, so it would have to be closed for other guests. I’m happy to say that Paul, who has lived most of his adult life in France, did nearly all the talking, and I was highly impressed with the way he settled everything and made the owner feel comfortable about the arrangements. (I think he just wanted me along as a witness.)
Restaurant La Varangue, 27, rue Augereau
The restaurant was fine for our purposes. It was small, informal, friendly, inexpensive and conveniently located near the Champs de Mars park.
(As of 2021, this restaurant no longer exists. Nor does VirtualTourist, for that matter.)
After a good meal and a lively evening at La Varangue, we walked back to the park for a nighttime look at the Eiffel Tower.
Watching the Eiffel Tower at night
Most nights, weather permitting, there used to be a sort of spontaneous international picnic and tower-watching party on the grass of the Parc du Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower. But this is not true during Covid times, when Paris has a nighttime curfew and no tourists.
VirtualTourist members at the Eiffel Tower, 2011
That evening in 2011 we had a pleasant time just standing or sitting around with hundreds of other people (it’s a big park) and going ouu and ahh once an hour when the tower started sparkling for a few minutes.
The sparkling tower
My astronomer friends would no doubt decry this as unnecessary light pollution, and I can see their point, but when you’re in good company on a warm evening it’s sort of nice.
My photos in this post are from 2011. I revised the text in 2021.
See more posts about the 7th arrondissement of Paris.
See more posts about the now-defunct website VirtualTourist.
Lovely piece! Glad I joined this VT meet!
Yes, it was a fine VT meet. Thanks for your visit and comment.
Nice picnic memories.
Oh wow, lovely fun memories!Picnic at nightime under the Eiffel tower looks so enticing.
Defunct but brought back to life!
I’ve picnic’d on the Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower, and nothing really beats the views while enjoying some delicious food and wine. Having the tower light up at night is the icing on the cake, and your photos evoke powerful memories for me. Thank you for sharing!
Glad I could bring back some good memories for you.
Ah, the stuff of dreams – so magical at night.
Yes, indeed. Thanks for your visit and comment.
Beautiful snap
Great shots of the Eiffel Tower. Sounds like it was a lot of fun!
Yes, we had a good time that day. Thanks for your visit and comment.
My husband and I got to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night in person in 2003. It was a wonderful sight.
I’ve always regretted having to miss this particular meet and your photos of old friends in great locations don’t help 😆
I knew a lot of these people from VT, but in many cases it was the only time I ever met them in person.