The skies were clear and the air was much cooler when we stepped out of the hotel today. We began our morning with a short driving tour around the city and then a stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral. Wow, what an impressive church! We split into two smaller groups and then began our guided tour. Our guide started with the intricate decorations above the door depicting those going to heaven on one side and those going to hell on the other. Even the boys were paying close attention as she described each figure.
The inside was also quite impressive, but many of the walkways were a bit too crowded for my taste and I was happy to get back outside in the fresh air. We took a few more photos outside the cathedral and then took a short walk to a little ice cream shop to get a little snack –it was delicious!
We got back on the bus and continued our driving tour, ending up back near our hotel, where we planned to stop for lunch. We were about halfway down one street, when the bus had to stop. There was a tow truck and several police removing illegally parked scooters. The tow truck was sticking out into the road and our bus could not pass. As is typical for municipal workers worldwide, they were taking their sweet time and did not seem concerned about us at all. We sat for about 5 minutes with cars honking behind us and still no progress. We finally decided to get out of the bus and walk the last few blocks. What a mess! The walk was worth it though –the restaurant was great! Quick, friendly service, and great food.
From the restaurant, we walked back to the park we visited yesterday and then turned the opposite direction toward the Louvre, taking our time and letting the kids play as we went. We go there shortly after 3pm and got inside the main lobby under the big glass pyramid and, boy, was it hot in there. Europeans (especially French) have a distinctly different idea of what a comfortable room temperature is. I have been too warm in almost every room & vehicle I’ve occupied since we got here!
Once we got away from the glass ceiling and into the museum corridors, conditions improved a bit. We saw Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and several Michelangelo’s including the most famous Mona Lisa. It was a quick tour (about 1 hour) and we only saw a small fraction of the collection. I would like to go back someday without the kids and spent a day or two wandering around in there.
After the museum, we came back to the hotel to rest for a little while and then it was time to head back out to the Eiffel Tower (we had tickets to visit the top at 7:30pm). Traffic was heavy, but we made it on time and got in the short line for timed ticket holders. We only had to wait about 10 – 15 minutes and then we were on the first elevator up to the 2nd floor (about halfway?). From there, we had to get in a longer line to get in the smaller elevator to go all the way up. That probably took about 20 – 25 minutes –not too bad.
We had an incredible view of Paris from the top of the tower. Again, it was way too crowded! I guess this is high tourist season, so it is to be expected. Next time I visit, I will try to go off season to avoid the crowds. We had a glass of champagne and took a few photos at the top. At least we can say we’ve been to the top, now.
The bus dropped us back off at the hotel around 9:15pm and we walked back to the same restaurant where we ate for lunch for a quick dinner before bed. Tomorrow, we will be going to visit Versailles.
The inside was also quite impressive, but many of the walkways were a bit too crowded for my taste and I was happy to get back outside in the fresh air. We took a few more photos outside the cathedral and then took a short walk to a little ice cream shop to get a little snack –it was delicious!
We got back on the bus and continued our driving tour, ending up back near our hotel, where we planned to stop for lunch. We were about halfway down one street, when the bus had to stop. There was a tow truck and several police removing illegally parked scooters. The tow truck was sticking out into the road and our bus could not pass. As is typical for municipal workers worldwide, they were taking their sweet time and did not seem concerned about us at all. We sat for about 5 minutes with cars honking behind us and still no progress. We finally decided to get out of the bus and walk the last few blocks. What a mess! The walk was worth it though –the restaurant was great! Quick, friendly service, and great food.
From the restaurant, we walked back to the park we visited yesterday and then turned the opposite direction toward the Louvre, taking our time and letting the kids play as we went. We go there shortly after 3pm and got inside the main lobby under the big glass pyramid and, boy, was it hot in there. Europeans (especially French) have a distinctly different idea of what a comfortable room temperature is. I have been too warm in almost every room & vehicle I’ve occupied since we got here!
Once we got away from the glass ceiling and into the museum corridors, conditions improved a bit. We saw Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and several Michelangelo’s including the most famous Mona Lisa. It was a quick tour (about 1 hour) and we only saw a small fraction of the collection. I would like to go back someday without the kids and spent a day or two wandering around in there.
After the museum, we came back to the hotel to rest for a little while and then it was time to head back out to the Eiffel Tower (we had tickets to visit the top at 7:30pm). Traffic was heavy, but we made it on time and got in the short line for timed ticket holders. We only had to wait about 10 – 15 minutes and then we were on the first elevator up to the 2nd floor (about halfway?). From there, we had to get in a longer line to get in the smaller elevator to go all the way up. That probably took about 20 – 25 minutes –not too bad.
We had an incredible view of Paris from the top of the tower. Again, it was way too crowded! I guess this is high tourist season, so it is to be expected. Next time I visit, I will try to go off season to avoid the crowds. We had a glass of champagne and took a few photos at the top. At least we can say we’ve been to the top, now.
The bus dropped us back off at the hotel around 9:15pm and we walked back to the same restaurant where we ate for lunch for a quick dinner before bed. Tomorrow, we will be going to visit Versailles.
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