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“Paris is not a city; it’s a world.” -King Francis I
“Paris is not a city; it’s a world.” -King Francis I
We arrived in Paris, ate lunch, and headed straight out for the Louvre. After that, we walked through a nearby carnival, had dinner, and then found our way to the Arc de Triomphe. The next day was packed with a walking tour, Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral, lunch in the Latin Quarter, Église Saint-Séverin, the Orsay Museum, our last dinner with the group and champagne by the Eiffel Tower. Then, we stayed on two more days in which we went to Versaille and walked all over Montmartre, visited the Père Lachaise Cemetery, and one final trip to say goodbye to the Eiffel Tower.
The Louvre
The Louvre
We were told the Louvre would be crowded and the Mona Lisa is smaller than expected. (That's her, circled in red) Yes to all of that. Still amazing to see!
Orsay
Orsay
We were also told the Orsay would be a great alternative, being less crowded and smaller. Also true! Also amazing. We saw all of this museum, I believe.
The Louvre deserves more time than we were able to give it!
We felt silly taking picture of paintings - when are we going to look at these? But couldn't help ourselves! I was most taken by the statue and the ability of the sculptor to create the texture of fabric out of different kinds of marble.
Paris Summer Fun
We walked out of the Louvre and through Tuileries garden and into a street carnival and watched families having fun on the rides and games.
We walked out of the Louvre and through Tuileries garden and into a street carnival and watched families having fun on the rides and games.
Walking tour of Paris
Walking tour of Paris
Our last walking tour of the city started in front of the Hôtel de Ville and then we walked across the Seine to view the exterior of Notre Dame. We wound our way through the streets until we arrived at Saint-Chapelle. The dramatic stained glass windows are awe-inspiring! We walked through the Latin Quarter and ended up at Saint-Séverin, with it's incredible palm-tree styled columns.
A joyful end to the tour
A joyful end to the tour
For our last dinner, we originally planned to take a bus to our restaurant, but after our bus never appeared, we took to the subway. It was chaotic and we had our only tragedy of the tour - someone was pickpocketed on the train! Their wallet contained their passport, so the police were promptly called. Our guide, Marijan, took off to retrace our steps back to the subway, and shortly after returned triumphantly with her wallet! It had been discarded on the sidewalk, cash gone, but everything, including her passport, was still inside. The group clapped and cheered Marijan and opened our wine bottles with relief as our dinner was being served. Afterwards, we walked a few blocks to the Eiffel Tower and shared several bottles of champagne as the sun dropped and the tower began to sparkle with light. It was a perfectly romantic day.
We'll always have Paris. -Casablanca
Bonus Days!
Day 1 - Versailles
Day 1 - Versailles
Months before our trip, we purchased tickets, at a specific entrance window time, to Versailles online, choosing the general palace access plus a bike rental. We were able to jump the line and get right inside!
We took the train out of Paris and caught a bus up to Versailles. It was crowded on the buses, so we let the first one go, but we HAD to get on the second one to make our entrance time, so we squished in close and I was thankful for my mask!
When we climbed the stairs in Versailles, I imagined all the people who had worn these down over time. The royalty, dignitaries, tyrants, servants, celebrities, and travelers, just like me. Worn stairs have stories.
The gold gates to the palace were a backdrop to many photos for visitors waiting in line.
The opulence is spectacular. Every surface is covered with ornate design. Your eyes get just pummeled! After leaving the palace, we walked through the gardens to the bike rentals and took a ride first to the Petite Trianon, Marie Antionette's cozy get-away, where I imagine she found refuge when the palace was too impersonal. After that, we rode our bikes along the huge lake, past families having picnics in the park-like setting.
All those little things on top? Those are people!!
We ended our very hot day with a light dinner and a walk to the Arc de Triomphe, which had just been adorned with a flag for the upcoming end to the Tour de France.
Day 2 - The Big Walk
Day 2 - The Big Walk
Buckle up, we covered about 10 miles this day!
Montmartre
Sacré-Cœur
Bread
Covered Walkways
Montparnasse Tower
Dinner
Sacré-Cœur
If the steps are too much, you can ride a funicular for the price of a bus ticket.
There was a guy selling locks here. I think there is an urge to keep a small piece of yourself in different part of Paris - these locks appear in many places.
The back of Sacré-Cœur
The back of Sacré-Cœur
Just as beautiful as the front, I think. We saw brides taking photos on both sides of the church.
In the photos below, you see the statues of Joan of Arc and King Saint Louis IX presiding over the entrance to the church. Below that you can see one of the wedding parties that were taking photos outside that morning. Inside, there were many vestibules that contained different icons and mosaics. It is a working church, so visitors need to be respectful and keep a distance.
Montmarte is fun to wander around, following delicious smells, looking into interesting shop windows, and taking lots of pictures of the architecture. We wandered our way across town, through covered passages, stopped only for a spontaneous lunch at a bakery, all the way to Montparnasse tower - recommended by one of the experts in the Rick Steves home office.
Montparnasse Tower
This very tall office building is the best place to get a 360 degree view of Paris! For an entrance fee, the elevator whisks you to the top floor and you can have a snack from the cafe, look in the gift shop, and look out the windows at all of Paris. But, if you want an even better view, climb the stairs to the rooftop, where there is a bar, some covered seating, and unobstructed views in all directions. We bought drinks, sat in shade (it was 104 degrees F that day!), people watching, and gazing out over the city.
Dinner and the promise of tomorrow
Dinner and the promise of tomorrow
We stopped for dinner at A l'Etoile d'Or, a little restaurant a few doors down from our hotel and salad and cider was in order on such a hot evening. Afterwards, we wandered a bit on the Champs-Élysées, and decided our free afternoon on our last day would be looking at all the motorcycle shops there. Triumph, Ducati - there were so many shops next door to each other there, Andrew was in heaven.
Day 3 - Père Lachaise Cemetery, more wandering and a farewell to the Eiffel Tower
Entering the Cemetery, there are maps and lists of graves, if you are looking for a particular person, like Oscar Wilde or Jim Morrison. But wandering is so, so interesting.
Family tombs have been here for centuries and there are artifacts in many of them. Peeking inside, you will find names, trinkets, and sometimes furniture.
We left the cemetery and walked more, through Le Jardin du Luxembourg, and the Latin Quarter.
At the end of the day, we hopped a late train out to see the Eiffel Tower one last time. It was a great atmosphere of a happy crowd, watching the lights of the Tower, and sitting by the river watching long boats cruise by. The air was warm and everything felt magical.
Accommodations
Accommodations
Hotel Tilsitt Etoile
23 rue Brey 75017 Paris
Tel : +33 1 43 80 39 71
Email : resa@tilsitt.com
Booking : +33 1 43 80 39 71
Adorable little hotel a couple blocks from the Arc de Triomphe and easy train stops. Nice breakfast, clean rooms, air conditioning, and a bar in the lobby.
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