Paris (Vacation Part 2)

So we arrived in Paris (to stay) on Tuesday we decided to drive in and drop our stuff off at the hotel before returning the rental car. That was an experience in and of itself. Of course when we decided to do this we didn't think about rush hour. So we landed ourselves in downtown Paris at 5:30 pm. While it was nice not to walk with bags through Paris it was an adventure. There are no lines on the roads and the roads are 4-6 lanes wide. There seems to be a lack of traffic signs saying who has the right of way etc. Luckily Phil got us through it unscathed, returned the rental car, and then took the train back to Paris. On our walk home we got a nice view of all the monuments lit up, great way to end the day.

 
Our first full day in Paris we went to Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica.  It was here that our 1000 steps a day extravaganza began. Sacre Coeur is a beautiful basilica up on the hill which gives a great view of paris.  It is about 300 steps to the top of the tower but well worth the view.  It was then across town for us to Saint Denis Basilica this involved a short walk down a very neat section of town. Lots of small market type stores. We followed that up with a trip to Napoleon's Tomb the Musée de l'Armée (as if I hadn't had enough war and history at that point).  Then we went to the Rodin Museum where we saw the Thinker and the Gates of Hell among other beautiful sculptures and gardens. The last stop for the day was the Eiffel Tower. Before going up we sat on the grass and enjoyed the local scene. People just hanging out it was really nice and relaxing.  People were just hanging out, reading, talking, drinking, eating and/or celebrating.

We decided to go up the Eiffel Tower for sunset. So we climbed the first two floors, not to save the five euros but to avoid the ridiculous line for the elevator. This was like 669 steps! We thankfully HAD to take the elevator to the top floor, because I can't imagine how many more steps that would have been. After going to the top we hung out on the second floor waiting for it to get dark, so the lights would come on, which didn't happen until 1015. A few pictures with the lights and we were on our way back to earth again.

Back on the lawn we decided to have a litle midnight snack (hot dog for Phil and a nutella crepe for me) while we waited for the tower to sparkle. 

This was our way of celebrating the Fourth of July.  It was funny because as the tower started to sparkle, a large group broke out singing the Star Spangled Banner.  It wasn't your traditional American BBQ or fireworks but it was something.

The second day we started on the outskirts of town at Vincennes Castle.  I think because this is a little out of town it is not nearly as crowded with tourists.  In addition to having a church and a castle, it is also home to the Naval Maritime History Department and the headquarters of La Germandiere. 

Then it was a day or arches.  La Defense was first. It is the business district of Paris with a Grande Arche (Notre Dame can fit underneath it). Really a lovely part of town lots of open space to sit and enjoy art, water fountains, and small garden areas. A sandwich by a water fountain, then a walk down Champs-Élysées the main boulevard with all the expensive shops etc.  Then it was time for more steps to go up the Arc de Triomphe.  



















We stopped in the Petit Palais and then went to Concorde Place at the end of Champs-Élysées (which we couldn't get to because of the barriers and stands in preparation for Bastille Day). That was followed by a short visit to the Tuileries Garden for a break and some gelato and then the Musée de l'Orangerie. The l'Orangerie houses Monet's Water Lilies which is of course beautiful but also very peaceful. By day 2 of Paris (day 6 of the trip) we were exhausted, so we went back to the hotel a little early for a break before heading to dinner.

The third day we saw the French Statue of Liberty (given to France by the U.S.).



Then we headed to the Jardin du Luxembourg. Luxembourg Garden is another of Paris's amazing green spaces, lots of people - locals and tourists taking in the sun, eating, and just relaxing. We even got to see an orchestra perform in small gazebo while we ate a small lunch. 

From there we took a short walk to the Pantheon and Saint Sulpice Chapel (from Da Vinci Code).

















We ended the first part of the day with a trip to Notre Dame Cathedral. We actually got to see mass going on, which was really cool. Went to the top of the tower in a rain storm and then back to the hotel for a short break before heading out on a dinner cruise.

The dinner cruise had great food and it was nice to be off our feet but still enjoying the sites.

 


The Fourth and final day we started at the Louvre, where we of course saw the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo among other amazing works of art. You can spend all day here, IF you have patience for the crowds.

Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
(packed and a little over rated though the smile is  intriguing)

One of my favorites
Psyche and Cupid by A. Canova

Our favorite room of the Louvre
even without the Art it would be wonderful

After that we went to Place de Saint Michel had a nice sandwich sitting by the fountain just before the rain set in and then headed to La Sainte-Chapelle and the Concierge. While Notre Dame is gorgeous, I have to say Saint Chapelle might be even better. The Concierge gave us one more dose of history about the French Revolution as it served as both the prison and court room during 1793-1795. We ended the day with a quick stroll through the Musee d'Orsay, in addition to being a truly amazing building (an old train station) it also had some great art.  



La Sainte Chapelle
(and this doesn't do it justice)


We saw so much and had a great time. Even managed a few mid afternoon naps and breaks at parks to make it a little relaxing as well. Everything was fantastic.

Due to my trial schedule we had to cancel Croatia for next weekend so we are headed to Salzberg instead (I know rough life) so stay tuned.