Alex and I wrapped up the competitive part of our the trip yesterday with a leisurely breakfast with Team Stimulus Package.  Then a visit to the Arc de Triomphe and about 700 steps round trip to the top.  CTN’s Skip HairGel did a traffic report from the top of Paris’ busiest intersection.

Continuing our Frite theme we grabbed lunch on the way to our next stop at a great little Boulangerie.  We also had a chance to watch the crazy way Parisians drive through intersections.  It was also great to see so many Smart Cars as there haven’t been many in the other cities.  We even saw a Smart For Four which is no longer in production.

Then a visit to the museum of Counterfeiting.   An amazing array of things that have been copied.  Most surprising, water pumps and pasta!  Most disturbing, condoms and pregnancy tests!  And we thought counterfitting was just for luxury goods and money!

Next stop was the Paris Science Museum.  It is housed in an amazing area and thought the Science Museum is well done with lots of interactive exhibits, our favorite part were all the parks and architecture behind the museum.  There are some incredible playgrounds here, which we hope Alex’s cousins Matthew and Ali enjoyed when they were in France two years ago.  There is a giant bicycle buried underground with just the top parts sticking out.

We also enjoyed touring the Argonaut which is a 40 person submarine that is now on permanent display.  While I like to read about submarines, this is the first one of any consequence that I have been inside.

We then headed to a cheese restaurant my brother John recommended called Les Montagnards.  Family run place with the proprietor greeting all the patrons warmly.  We felt welcome and while we were the first there at 7:45, the place quickly filled up.  They have the machinery from a gondola station in the cieling which makes for a unique restaurant.  They specialize in foods from Savoie.  We had some terrific cheeses including a great Comte and a delicious creamy Reblochon.  We had a small sample of Raclette and then a Savoie Cheese Fondue.  Very tasty and a different mix of cheeses, including Abondance which is now being distributed in the US by Trader Joe’s.   Since Chocolate Fondue was available, we didn’t see any reason to say no!  We enjoyed some terrific inexpensive wine that paired well with the Fondue and also sampled some liquer from Savoie!

Team Goldtroni really savored our day in Paris and we are looking forward to winding down on our Trip on Saturday with more cheese, chocolate and sights.  We’ll finish with a final drink tonight with the other Competitouristas at 11 tonight!