Paris - Day 1

This past weekend we made it over to Paris... the love of my life (aside from my family). I had been once before, 11 years ago, with my mom, and had an incredible time. I have had such fond memories of the city and our time there, and have been wanting to return ever since. I wasn't sure if we'd make it over, after doing some big trips in Italy, but Ryan knew how much I wanted to go and said we should make it happen - even if it was only for two days.

So two days. That's all we had, but we made the most out of every minute and had a great time. The weather was gorgeous (especially after all the hot, sweaty days we had in Italy), and aside from the not-so-friendly French people we encountered, the visit was perfect.

We had a sort of happy accident to start the trip (well, I eventually was happy about it... not so sure about Ryan). We waited to buy our train tickets till the last minute because we weren't quite sure what Ryan's work schedule was going to be like. So, day of our departure, I go to the train station to get our tickets and second class is full, both to and from Paris. First class tickets were all that was left. So, we bit the bullet and bought first class. Painful for the pocketbook, but an enjoyable experience that came with extra large, comfy chairs, a cheese plate, and drinks.

Leaving Zurich on our bullet train, which got us to Paris in four hours.

And now we know... no more last minute booking!

We arrived in Paris around 9:30 and went straight to our hotel on Rue Cler, which was just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower. This was our first glimpse.

Saturday morning we got up bright and early, and were out the door by 8 a.m. The street we stayed on is known for its markets and cafes, so we just headed right outside for breakfast at a local bakery. View from our window of the merchants setting up shop.

Our hotel, the Grand Leveque - nothing special inside, but a great location at a good price.

After grabbing delicious pastries, we walked about two miles over to the Notre Dame to start the historic walk of Paris.

Point Zero - where Paris started

Westin was in to posing this trip (well, as you'll see in later pictures, only when he wanted to). Here are a few...

And now some of the Notre Dame

After viewing the interior, we (even Westin all by himself) climbed all 400+ stairs to the top. We first stopped at the more popular level with the gargoyels.

We then climbed to the very top... for a brief moment, until Westin told me he had to go to the bathroom. I then hauled it down all 400 stairs with Westin in my arms in search of a WC. Kids always have the best timing.

We then walked around to the back of the Notre Dame, where I proceeded to take about a dozen pictures - this is only about a third of them. I am kind of obsessed with the design. It's so incredible.

Alongside the Notre Dame is a little park, which Westin enjoyed quite thoroughly before we moved on in our walk.

Behind the Notre Dame is the Deportation Memorial. It's underground and you can't take pictures inside, so here's a view from the outside. This memorial honors the 200,000 French victims of the Nazi concentration camps.

Nearby is also a bridge filled with love locks

Next we walked over to Ile de Louis for a brief walk around the shops and some ice cream. This was a little street entertainment on the way over.

This is apparently very famous ice cream in Paris. So, of course, we had to try it. We later found out that most of the Paris cafes serve this very brand of ice cream. The ice cream was good, not great. I'll take Italy's Venchi's gelato over it any day.

Continuing our historic walk, we stayed on the Left Bank and headed into Medieval Paris and the Latin Quarter. On our way over, we passed Paris' oldest inhabitant, this Acacia tree planted in the early 1600s.

Medieval Paris (nothing too spectacular except for its history)

St. Severin Church and the start of the Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter was pretty cool - tons of restaurants, markets and shops. There was just a fun vibe in the area with people filling the streets and music playing in the different cafes. There were also fresh rotisserie chickens filling the air with a mouthwatering scent.

St. Michel Fountain

Sainte Chapelle

Justice Palace

One of the few original Metro designs left in the city

The Conciergerie (prison)

This is the prison Marie Antoinette was held before her beheading. They tried to recreate her cell... but it was just kind of creepy.

After the historic walk, we took a lunch break and then spent a couple hours at the Louvre, checking out all the "big" works of art.

Venus de Milo

Winged Victory of Samothrace

Crown Jewels

The Madonna and Child in Majesty Surrounded by Angels

The Mona Lisa

The Marriage at Cana - the size of this is massive

but actually not as big as this one of Napoleon crowning himself - The Coronation of Emperor Napoleon - which is the largest canvas in the Louvre

I'm not typically a huge fan of realism, but the detailing in this picture, specifically Napoleon's wife's clothing is exceptional and takes my breath away.

Michelangelo's The Slaves

After the Louvre, Westin was in need of some running around, so we explored the Tuilerie Gardens for a bit.

National Assembly building

After the Louvre and the gardens, it was about 7, so we decided to head back to Rue Cler, grab some food and picnic at the Eiffel Tower. We were there during the sunset and were able to see the tower light up, and then the five minute light show they do at the top of the hour. This was one of the highlights of the weekend for me. We just sat on the grass, enjoying yummy food, good people watching, playing pretend baseball with Westin and being together.

It was the perfect ending to our day.