Turbo Tourist in Paris

Well, we are finally back in the USA.  Can't believe the trip is over.  We left you Monday morning as we made our way to Paris.  The plane was delayed about 40 min. on the trip to Paris.  Once we landed, we found our luggage and proceeded to navigate the train system to our hotel, the  Novotel.  We dropped our bags in our room, bought a 2-day transportation pass and found our way to the Louvre.  Amazing place, but with only 2 hrs before closing, we were on a mission to see as much as possible.  The Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, the Winged Victor, Venus de Milo, the picture of The raft of the Medusa (1791-1824) just to name a few of the items we saw. 

Outside the Louvre, were the glass pyramids, and the structure of  the building itself.  Stunning!!

We then walkd thru the Carrousel Arch, built to celebrated the victories of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805.  The Garden of the Tuileries stretched for about 1 kilometre between this Arch and the Concorde.  An obelisk dedicated to Louis XV. (1743)   We then continued to walk the entire length of the Champs-Elysees. The famous street that leads right to the Arch of Triumph.  This structure was completed in 1836. It was ordered as a memorial to the Great Army by Napoleon.  It is 164 ft high and 147 ft wide.  Dinner was on the Champs-Elysees at a restraurant called Monte-Cristo.  Took a train back to our hotel.  End of first day in Paris.

The next morning we were off again to find breakfast that would be a little cheaper than dinner was.  After that we walked the rest of the day.  First to Notre-Dame, the uilding was started in 1163 and was finished by 1345.  Amazing both inside and out. 

Across the street was next entered Sainte-Chapelle.  It was built for Louis IX  in the early 1200's.  2/3's of all the stain- glass is original to the 1200's. 

Crossed the street and moved on to the Musee d'Orsay.  This museum held art and sculptures from famous artists like, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Pissarro and so much more.  Thanks to Audrey's immense art knowledge,  we could find the famous art and totally enjoy this museum.  (Probably our favorite)  Lunch was also at this point.

It's now about 4pm and we proceed to the underground, on our way to the Eiffel tower.  The funniest part at this point was when we left the underground, we looked up to find the tower, and couldn't see it.  It was just hiding behind a building due to the angle of our gaze.  Walked down a street and looked between two buildings and there it was.  TALL and FULL of SPLENDOR!!   The wind was very strong and we decided to stay on the ground and not go up the tower. 

Went back underground to return to the Arch de Truimph, to see it in daylight, but by the time we got there, it was raining.  Still a wonderful monument.

We left on the train and returned to the hotel by 8pm.  Picked up some food at a small grocery store in the subway system and brought it back to the hotel.

This was truely a trip to remember and  we are so grateful to the husbands who let us leave them and kids for 10 days  to experience Switzerland and Paris.  Thanks guys.