So many wonderful memories in Paris!
We got to spend time with lots of family, reunite with dear friends, and enjoy
the sights and sounds of a beautiful city that was kind enough to stay sunny and warm
throughout our entire week!
We had four days to explore so we got started immediately.
We crossed the Pont Des Arts bridge on our way to Notre Dame Cathedral.
No wonder one of Paris' nicknames is "the City of Love".
There are so many locks of love attached, they actually have to reenforce the bridge!
This street performer really was a one man show. His footwork beat the drum and cymbal behind him. When he wasn't tooting the horn, he was singing the blues! Amazing!
Notre Dame Cathedral.
There is a medallion in the ground in front called Point Zero.
It is considered the starting point for all roads in France and the very center of Paris.
Seemed like a great place to start!
In preparation for the trip, we watched a documentary on the church and learned that by the end of the 18th century, the cathedral had fallen into disrepair. It was even used as a garage for a time!
A patron asked his friend, Victor Hugo to write a story centered on the cathedral hoping it would attract interest in the restoration. In 1831, The Hunchback of Notre Dame was released to rave reviews which sparked great interest. Soon money poured in to fund the restoration.
The power of great literature!
Speaking of literature, I read a wonderful novel while in Paris. I searched for something based on the area and was delighted with the find. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.
This beautiful door caught our eye as we left the cathedral.
Toward the end of our day, we walked to Luxembourg Palace and Gardens.
Originally the home of Marie de Medicis, mother of Louis XIII, it now serves as one of the homes of the French Senate. We came in search of the wonderful gardens and playground...
... and found both.
The kids had a wonderful time! This spinning machine threw them against the sides. They were giggling so hard that NoFear spun right out!
There was even a zip line that made a big loop around the park.
They rode it over and over again for almost an hour
One of the best views in Paris - and the best vibe too - is found in the neighborhood
of Montmatre, home of the Sacre Couer.
We sat and enjoyed the view, watched the street performers, haggled with the sellers, walked through the beautiful church, and wandered through the artist enclave up the hill.
The Louvre has almost 9 miles of galleries in it if you stretch them out end to end.
It was a tall order to balance my desire to have the boys experience as
much art as possible, with the reality that we couldn't do it all.
After an online search for "scavenger hunt" and Louvre", we immediately had a solution. ThatLou plans "hunts" of art works that kept the boys - and us - "walking quickly not running" around the Louvre for three hours. Art appreciation with an adrenaline edge. Voila!
They loved it and saw some amazing works in the process.
The largest painting in the Louvre, The Wedding at Cana, spans more than 30 feet!
Of course, we didn't leave before finding the most famous lady in the museum,
the Mona Lisa.
After the museum, we walked up the Champs-Elysees to see the Arc de Triomphe.
Next the Trocadero and, of course, the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel tower is beautiful during the day....
...but at night. Ooh la la!
It was so much fun to see Paris by night on a bike!
We started out just as the sun was going down...
... and followed our guide all around the city.
A few things we will always remember about our time in Paris?
Our wonderful apartment in the Invalides with the smallest elevator imaginable, but a beautiful view of the Eiffel tower from the balcony.
The delicious bakery down the street - quiche and chocolate croissants for breakfast. Yum!
The amazing creperie across just the street. We ate SO many crepes!
As frequent guests, we made very good friends with the proprietor, Charles.
Best of all, the opportunity to reunite with my dear friend from France.
We were missionary companions 25 years ago. She and her husband came to visit us
17 years ago, but we have not seen each other since.
To spend the day with her was priceless and treasured -
one of many memories in Paris that I am most grateful for.
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