Paris - October 2006

Ahhh, Paris. In my travels to date, it is the prettiest city I have visited.


Cass and I spent 3 days exploring the city and although it was a nice introduction, I could have easily spent more time just wandering the streets and ducking into little cafes for a caffeine break. I also grew to love a good crepe.

On our first day we went to the Cathedral of Notre Dame and walked up the 387 steps to the top where we were able to take some great pictures of the city below us. I loved the gargoyles.


We then started our long walk to the Eiffel Tower. Along the way we stopped in the Museum D'Orsay. It was really interesting, but knowing we had the Louvre to tour the next day, we did a quick loop around and continued on. By the time we arrived to the Eiffel Tower, it was dark and the lights were on. I loved the sparkling light show and frantically searched in my purse for my camera, but was too late! The show only lasts for 10ish minutes and then starts again the next hour. Cass and I took the very large (and I think scary) lift up to the top to see the city at night. We were accompanied by an American couple complaining very loudly about the French and how they didn't speak English - gotta love the stereotypical American toursit. They were also discussing hot dogs from a cart for their dinner choice. But I digress... At the top of the tower we saw the "city of lights" in all its glory. Unfortunately my camera doesn't do so well with low light so I don't have anything to show for it. But if you go to Paris, it is worth whatever ridiculous price they charge you to go up and see all of Paris spread out before you.

The next day we headed to Montmartre to visit the Sacre Coeur. Montmartre was a picturesque little neighborhood with a central square that hosts a variety of artists painting right before everyone. I regret not buying a painting, but have vowed that I will when I return.

We also stopped by the old Moulin Rouge theater, but it was really nothing to write home about. I was prepared to see something extremely grand (see what Hollywood does to a girl's expectations?) but it was just a theater with a windmill on top. On to the Louvre...

The Louvre is absurdly huge! Only about 10% of their 400,000 items are on display at one time! We bought a book to help us find the items we wanted to see - here I am consulting said book and taking a break on a bench. We saw the Mona Lisa and that is quite a production! I don't see what all the fuss is about, but they have this thing roped off, behind glass, with security guards around it. I personally enjoyed the Egyptian antiquities area because they had such an extensive collection.









On our way out, we stopped to take a picture of the controversial pyramid. I liked it an thought it was pretty, but I can understand the French peoples dislike - it is huge and does block a nice view of the Louvre.



The rest of our trip was a lot of eating bread, cheese and the occasional crepe and drinking great wine. We did so much walking around and enjoyed the beauty of the city. There are several gardens to explore and just walking along the Seine was an activity in itself. We took a night boat cruise on the Seine which was also really beautiful (and educational). We are excited to make it back one day and do more in depth exploring!