We left Paris just after midday under grey skies and light rain. For breakfast I ordered the usual assortments of pain au chocolates and croissants, however I took Annie with me to the Boulangerie / Patisserie this morning, and we both chose a croissant aux amande et Nutella. Translation – it’s a regular croissant with almonds, choc chips and filled with Nutella. It’s about the richest thing I’ve ever eaten and I agree with an online description that I read about it – you feel like you don’t want to eat anything again, like ever!

Arriving at Gare de Lyon, we expected the usual ticket collection, security and immigration queues (similar to our London departure). However there was none of that, and we boarded the train just after midday without even so much as a ticket check (the conductor came around the train after an hour and a half – not sure what was supposed to happen if you didn’t have a ticket).

The train trip on the TGV train to Geneva took just over three hours, again reaching 300km/hr speeds. The last hour of the trip provided some great views of French alps through the mist and clouds.

It was lovely to be met by our Swiss friends Nick and Marie, and have them drive us (in two cars) back to their house in Nyon, about 20 minutes east of Geneva and right on the lake. Nick took Zach, Annie and I on a tour of Nyon, showing us an old Roman arch, Nyon Castle, a local travelling circus and a bit of the old part of town.

We finished the day with apero and home cooked Thai chicken soup.