I have successfully returned to the USA and this will be my last tourist tuesday installment...until I plan my next adventure :)
Last Sunday we arrived in Paris and it was a fantastic trip. We spent five night in the city, staying near Notre Dame in the Latin Quarter, and one night out by Charles de Gualle thanks to Delta airlines.
We hit the ground running when we arrived in Paris and spent every day walking around the city, usually with our umbrellas in hand. Even though the weather was on the grey side, I still fell in love with the city...there is no place like Paris!
On Monday we walked to the Louvre, crossing the "Locks of Love" Bridge. We made our way through the Tuileries Garden, seeing the Obelisk, and then walking around the George V neighborhood. The nieghborhood had all of the top fashion brands and luxury stores. Most of these items are actually not bought by the French, but rather Chinese tourists. They appear to be the solo demographic keeping these flagship stores in business! On our walk home we stopped by Notre Dame.
On Tuesday we went to the Invalides, which houses a military history museum and Napolean's tomb. We walked down to the Eiffel Tower and my mom and I walked up to the second floor. After visiting the Eiffel Tower we walked to the Arc de Triumph and then down Champs-Elysees and meandering around the neighboring streets housing similar shopping venues as we had seen the prior day.
We woke up early Wednesday to make a train to Versailles. After spending the morning seeing the glitz and glam and walking around the gardens, we boarded up and headed back to Paris for more museum tours. We went to two of my favorite museum's that afternoon, Musee d' Orsay and Musee l'orangerie. Both museums are known for their impeccable impressionists collections and it was so enjoyable to visit both spots.
On Thursday we up to Montmarte to see Sacre Couer and the artist quarters located behind the grand cathedral. In the afternoon we went through the Luxemberg Gardens. It was a shame that "spring hadn't sprung" while we were over in Paris, but it was still enjoyable to see people out and about, milling around the gardens. We walked from the gardens to the Pantheon a national building dedicated to St. Genevive and holding the tombs of notable French men including: Rousseau, Emile Zola, and Victor Hugo. Before we went home, we went to Saint Chappelle a Cathedral a block or so away from Notre Dame. The cathedral is two stories, the lower floor having been used for the common people and the second story for the upper class. The stained glass windows in the building were stunning.
I ate my way out of France with so many delicious meals and treats...did I have the most amazing desserts! I lived off hot chocolate and ice cream, having both almost everyday. I think my sweet teeth will be satisfied for months to come :)
If you have any particular questions about my trip to Paris, or any of my other travels throughout the spring, please send me an email and I would be happy to provide you with more information!
Thanks for following along, toodles!
This is awesome! Fun to see all of these pics. I hope to go to Paris someday! - J
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