That tunnel in Paris

[Zoe]

I've know that Diana, the former Princess of Wales, was killed in as a result of the car accident in the tunnel on the Right Bank at Pont d'Alma in Paris. Is there also a corresponding tunnel on the Left Bank at the same bridge?

[clairobscur]

There's a similar expressway on the left bank, but there's no tunnel on this side.

May I ask why you're asking this question?

[Zoe]

clairobscur, I was hoping that you might see my question.

I stayed in the St. Germaine-Boul Mich area in Paris. One night my granddaughter and I took a taxi to the dinner cruise offered by the Bateaux Parisienne. Our boat docked at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and just slightly to the north.

On the way there, our taxi driver must have taken the long way because it cost us twice as much to get there (12 Euros) as it did to get home later that night. We weren't paying that much attention to whether or not he crossed the river. (There should have been no need to.)

At one point near our destination, we went through a curved tunnel with pillars. I didn't say anything to my granddaughter at the time, but it stuck me as looking just like the tunnel where Diana's accident took place. I tried to put it out of my mind and we went on to enjoy an incredible evening on the water.

But the next day, my granddaughter brought it up and asked me if that could be the tunnel where the accident happened. She too was struck by how it looked the same.

I finally did a little reading examined the map and saw that the distance between our boat and the bridge was right. But I think that the accident was in the tunnel at the end of the bridge on the Right Bank. Is that correct? Is there a tunnel just like it on the other end of the bridge on the Left Bank? If not, then we were on the Right Bank ourselves.

BTW, we were treated with great kindness and friendiness by the French. Many went out of their way to help us and laugh with us and especially tease us. The trip was such a joy!

I've very distressed to hear about the airport. We were not in that part, but I had heard that it was very beautiful. So sad for all that was lost.

Merci.

[clairobscur]

Originally Posted by Zoe

clairobscur, But I think that the accident was in the tunnel at the end of the bridge on the Right Bank. Is that correct?

Yes, you're correct

Is there a tunnel just like it on the other end of the bridge on the Left Bank?

I wouldn't bet my life on this, but I'm pretty certain there's no tunnel there. I might be mistaken because there are some tunnels along this expressway on the left bank too, and because you would have had to cross the Seine twice, and the second time right in front of the Eiffel tower without noticing it, which is weird, but I'm quite convinced there's no tunnel there. I even checked a detailled map....and still no tunneL

So, I would tend to suspect you :

1)Were very oblivious of your surroundings

2)Were ripped off by the taxi driver (especially since late in the evening, taxis charge more, so you should have paid more on your way back, not the other way around) except if the left bank expressway was blocked for some reason.

3)Actually drove throught the tunnel where Diana was killed

[Revtim]

The title of this thread is just begging for a Paris Hilton joke.

[Zoe]

clairobscur, if there are other tunnels fairly close to that location on that expressway, and they are curved with pillars in them, then it is also possible that we never left the Left Bank.

I do agree that the driver took advantage of us. It was our first taxi ride there. After that we would have known better. But the other drivers charged appropriately.

I was definitely oblivious to direction and totally absorbed in the beauty and familiar sights.

Revtim, now I understand why this thread has had as many hits as it does.