Random Paris Photos

Random images from around the city, mostly taken from our hop on-hop off bus.

Up next:  Disneyland Paris

29 Rue Cler

Pictures of the street we stayed on.

The hotel was in a local neighborhood, not in a touristy area.

There was a cheese shop next to the wine shop next to the produce shop next to the pharmacy shop next to the seafood shop next to the bakery next to .....

There were also cafes to stop and have a coffee and watch the day unfold.  That is exactly what we did on our last morning in this part of the city.  We had coffee and crepes. Chocolate for Emma, with a 2nd one ordered by Mark, and a crepe suzette for me.  I can't even describe how much I enjoyed that crepe!

We watched the local older women go up the street with an empty cart, then return an hour later with their basket full of food, and a baguette sticking out the top.

We watched elementary age children walk down the street in pairs, on their scooters, some with a nanny, some not, headed home for lunch break.

We watched older kids, high school maybe, walk down the street looking for a cafe to stop and have lunch in.

We had an amazing time, just people watching.  This would be my greatest regret for our trip.  We did not take time out of our sightseeing to do this in every city.  Only in Paris.  But we now know what to build into our next travel itinerary....

Up next:  Random Paris photos....

Musee d'Orsay and Louvre

Musee D'Orsay:

Musee du Louvre:

There were so many museums I wanted to visit in Paris, but choices had to be made.  The Orsay museum was a must.  I've been a Monet lover ever since that art class in college.  The Louvre was on the short list, and since it was open late that night, we were in luck.

Both museums were in incredible spaces, really pieces of art in themselves.  We only had a couple of hours in each, and they both deserve more time.

We did a quick walk through at the Orsay and were able to see everything. At the Louvre, we headed straight to the Mona Lisa, then had to pick one area to explore, and went with the Egyptian wing.

Keeping the words short and sweet today.  In summary, the museums were amazing and not to be missed, even if you can only squeeze in a few moments at each.

Side note:  We tried roasted chestnuts from a vendor outside the Orsay.  Katie gave the thumbs up, but the rest of us thought no bueno.  But happy to have had a new food to taste.

Up next:  29 Rue Cler.....

Notre Dame Cathedral

Even though we spent the most nights in Paris, we really just had the one day for sightseeing.  But we made sure it was a good day!

We started with a tour of Notre Dame Cathedral. It was about 10x more amazing than these photos captured.

We skipped the audio tour again.  Just wandered and looked and tried not to cry.  It's hard to believe humans can create something so beautiful.

I lit a candle for lost loved ones, sat as a quiet observer during service, and thought about God.  I'm not a religious person, but it's hard not to feel the presence of something larger than you in these amazing cathedrals.

This was the last cathedral we visited, out of 3, and I couldn't say which one I liked the best.  They were just all so different.

After the indoor visit, Mark and the girls went outside to climb the steps to the top of the cathedral, and look out over the city along with the gargoyles.  I did not make the climb.  I tried to climb the stairs at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, and had a panic attack 1/3 of the way up.  It was a narrow, spiral staircase and whenI looked up, that was the end of it for me. I had to push past people to go back down the stairs, so I didn't even try at Notre Dame.

I was a bit sad, but the cheese sandwich and sparkling water at the cafe across the street helped.

Up next, the Musee d'Orsay and the Louvre...

Eiffel Tower and the Grand Hotel Leveque

Once we arrived at the Paris train station, we took a taxi to our hotel.  Those who know me well, know that I am prone to tears.  I cry if I'm happy, sad, excited, angry, afraid, or basically any other emotion I may experience.  I have "big" feelings.

Well, I sat in the front passenger seat in the taxi, and cried the entire way to the hotel.  I tried to keep silent, with just tears streaming down my face, but later, when I joked about it with my girls, they said they heard sniffling too from the back seat.

Paris was so over the top amazing.  I've been wanting to go there for many, many years and it did not disappoint. It looked exactly like I expected (thanks Instagram) and then when we turned onto a small street and the driver said we were at our hotel, I let out a gasp.  It was out of a dream.  Somehow, I had booked a hotel on a quiet, residential street in the 7th arrondissement, lined with shops and cafes.

It was an older, quaint hotel, with the smallest elevator. Only 1 person and luggage or 2 people and no luggage.  Odd at first, but charming also.  And since we were on the 4th floor, I appreciated that the hotel even had an elevator!

We reserved 2 adjoining rooms, and expected there to be a door connecting the rooms. Instead, there was a private hallway with only our 2 separate rooms, so we appreciated a bit of space apart but still felt safe with the girls in their own room.  The hotel was a gem for the budget traveler!

After we got settled in, we headed out for the Eiffel Tower.  It was about a 10 min walk.  The streets were narrow with tall buildings on both sides, so we couldn't see the Tower as we walked.  Then we turned a corner and there it was, plus it was "sparkling" since it was the top of the hour.

Both girls stopped walking and turned to wait for me to round the corner.  Why?  Because they knew I would cry the moment I saw it right in front of us.  Don't judge me...

It was cold and windy on the observation deck, so we didn't linger too long.  We grabbed sandwiches and coffee/hot chocolate for dinner from a shop inside the tower, then hopped into an "non-official" taxi and went back to crash at the hotel.

Notre Dame Cathedral up next...

Train to Paris

We rode the train from Amsterdam to Paris and I highly recommend this method of travel.

No early arrival at the airport to sit and wait.  Reserved seats that were comfy.  We had a table between the 4 seats.  Lots of leg room. You can get up and move around if you want.  The train station drops you off in the heart of Paris.  Such a relaxing way to travel!

I had planned on editing photos on the 3 hour ride, but I just couldn't stop staring at the landscapes passing by.  I loved watching the changes from cities to countryside then back to cities as we traveled through The Netherlands, then Brussels, then France.  Many of my photos did not turn out due to blur or window glare, but man, I love, love, love that windmill photo.  I still can't believe I captured that moment from a fast moving train through a window.  

One thing I didn't capture well, were the tiny towns in France, as we approached Paris.  They all had a central church, with a few surrounding houses, in the middle of green, open land.

One thing I did capture well, were the two sleeping travelers.  I'm used to Mark falling asleep when he gets comfy, no matter where we are, but Emma surprised me with all her naps.  During all the plane rides, the canal boat ride, the train ride, and the car ride from Los Angeles to Phoenix. They were like 2 little peas in a pod...

Up next, arriving in Paris.