So today we are in Paris! Yay!!
The day started slowly, with a leisurely breakfast and some loads of washing so we don't have to walk around unclothed. The apartment is lovely, it is on the 4th floor, in an area where most buildings are 3 or 4 storeys, but it also has a 'loft' area in the attic, so it is in effect a two storey apartment. I've included photos today of the downstairs area, because I haven't taken my camera upstairs yet! It has a separate dining/kitchen area as well as a small lounge area. The stairs to the 2nd floor are reminiscent of those on a navy ship and to get up here in the first place it is 4 flights on a spiral staircase - the boys were complaining this afternoon that they got dizzy getting up here. Anyway, I must still be reasonably "stair fit" after being on the 3rd floor in Italy last year and the stairs at school - as I don't start to feel the muscle 'burn' or get puffed until I reach the third floor!
The boys were keen to see the Eiffel Tower today, so we decided against the organised bus tour and instead we made our way to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile and the Arc de Triomphe, purchasing a visitor guide at the metro station shop. Actually, its a great little book, with different "walks" that can be done all over Paris and information about the interesting things you would find on the way. It also has a great map - which is useful as not everything is signposted!
We left the Arc de Triomphe and walked down the Avenue d'Iena to the Trocadero, where the boys were excited to see the Eiffel Tower for the first time in full (we'd only seen its top until then). We took alot of pictures and then sat in the Park next to the fountains to eat lunch. While we were there they turned on the extra water 'cannons' which the boys thought was great. This was followed by walking across Pont D'Iena and taking more photos! On reaching the other side we headed down the stairs to the River where there were many boats docked to investigate the details about cruises on the river for lunch/dinner. From here we walked along the River walk around to Pont Alexandre III.
At this point in time we crossed back across the river and headed up between the Petit Palais and Grand Palais to the Champs-Elysees where we walked down to Place de la Concorde. They were in the process of breaking down all the staging and seating that had been up for National Day on 14 July, so the Place was filled with workmen, trucks and gendarmes! From here we walked into the Tuileries and found a cafe for afternoon tea and a rest. The menu was in French, so after discarding some of the desserts that I knew I was left with 2 options, so I randomly chose one - when it arrived - well the boys thought it was spectacular - no I won't tell you here - check out the picture below!
After eating our fill we continued down through the garden to the Louvre, passing out the side door of the inner courtyard to find ourselves at Pont des Arts - which intrigued the boys with all the padlocks on it! We walked up the street, stopping at the stalls that are there along the way to purchase some nice souvenir items until we got to Pont Neuf. From here we crossed the bridge to the "City" - the largest island in the middle of the Seine, where the original city of Paris was settled - and where the Justice buildings and Notre Dame are situated.
We walked down towards Notre Dame, stopping at another souvenir place and finally ending up at Notre Dame. As with everything in Paris at the moment, there are crowds and crowds of people so we took some photos of the outside of Notre Dame (from the main entrance only) and then headed for the metro and home, stopping only to pick up some additional grocery items.
The day started slowly, with a leisurely breakfast and some loads of washing so we don't have to walk around unclothed. The apartment is lovely, it is on the 4th floor, in an area where most buildings are 3 or 4 storeys, but it also has a 'loft' area in the attic, so it is in effect a two storey apartment. I've included photos today of the downstairs area, because I haven't taken my camera upstairs yet! It has a separate dining/kitchen area as well as a small lounge area. The stairs to the 2nd floor are reminiscent of those on a navy ship and to get up here in the first place it is 4 flights on a spiral staircase - the boys were complaining this afternoon that they got dizzy getting up here. Anyway, I must still be reasonably "stair fit" after being on the 3rd floor in Italy last year and the stairs at school - as I don't start to feel the muscle 'burn' or get puffed until I reach the third floor!
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| Dining area attached to kitchen |
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| Small living area and stairs to the loft/attic area upstairs |
The boys were keen to see the Eiffel Tower today, so we decided against the organised bus tour and instead we made our way to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile and the Arc de Triomphe, purchasing a visitor guide at the metro station shop. Actually, its a great little book, with different "walks" that can be done all over Paris and information about the interesting things you would find on the way. It also has a great map - which is useful as not everything is signposted!
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| Arc de Triomphe |
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| Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that is under the Arc de Triomphe |
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| Leaving Place Charles de Gaulle via Avenue D'Iena |
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| Statue of George Washington on Avenue D'Iena. There are lots of train stations, streets, 'places' etc here named for US Presidents |
We left the Arc de Triomphe and walked down the Avenue d'Iena to the Trocadero, where the boys were excited to see the Eiffel Tower for the first time in full (we'd only seen its top until then). We took alot of pictures and then sat in the Park next to the fountains to eat lunch. While we were there they turned on the extra water 'cannons' which the boys thought was great. This was followed by walking across Pont D'Iena and taking more photos! On reaching the other side we headed down the stairs to the River where there were many boats docked to investigate the details about cruises on the river for lunch/dinner. From here we walked along the River walk around to Pont Alexandre III.
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| I don't know which is the best picture of them with the Eiffel Tower - you will have to choose for yourself. |
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| Me doing my Princess Di @ the Taj Mahal - in the city of love without my love.... |
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| Trocadero (Palais de Chaillot) Fountain and Eiffel Tower |
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| Crossing Pont D'Iena |
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| Grand Palais (on left) and one end of Pont Alexandre III + barge! |
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| On Pont Alexandre III |
At this point in time we crossed back across the river and headed up between the Petit Palais and Grand Palais to the Champs-Elysees where we walked down to Place de la Concorde. They were in the process of breaking down all the staging and seating that had been up for National Day on 14 July, so the Place was filled with workmen, trucks and gendarmes! From here we walked into the Tuileries and found a cafe for afternoon tea and a rest. The menu was in French, so after discarding some of the desserts that I knew I was left with 2 options, so I randomly chose one - when it arrived - well the boys thought it was spectacular - no I won't tell you here - check out the picture below!
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| This is the Place des Invalides |
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| Petit Palais |
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| Champs-Elysees, looking toward Arc de Triomphe. We got stuck in the middle when the lights changed - great for some photos - not so great for the nerves with the traffic whizzing by. |
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| Champs-Elysees looking toward Place de la Concorde |
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| Walking path along Champs-Elysees |
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| Place de la Concorde, part of it! |
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| Monument in the centre of Place de la Concorde - this is an obelisk from Luxor, given as a gift - but at one time this was the home of La Guillotine |
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| Fountain in Place de la Concorde |
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| Looking down the main path in the Tuileries towards the Louvre |
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| Afternoon Tea! |
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| Our view for afternoon tea. |
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| The army came out on patrol through the gardens whilst we were there - a squad, with weapons, walking through the park! |
After eating our fill we continued down through the garden to the Louvre, passing out the side door of the inner courtyard to find ourselves at Pont des Arts - which intrigued the boys with all the padlocks on it! We walked up the street, stopping at the stalls that are there along the way to purchase some nice souvenir items until we got to Pont Neuf. From here we crossed the bridge to the "City" - the largest island in the middle of the Seine, where the original city of Paris was settled - and where the Justice buildings and Notre Dame are situated.
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| In one part of the gardens is a fair - the building on the right is the end of one wing of the Louvre |
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| One half of one wing of the Louvre - this place is massive - no wonder there is so much art in it! |
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| Arc du Carrousel and the Louvre |
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| Pyramid at Louvre (looking back down towards the gardens) |
We walked down towards Notre Dame, stopping at another souvenir place and finally ending up at Notre Dame. As with everything in Paris at the moment, there are crowds and crowds of people so we took some photos of the outside of Notre Dame (from the main entrance only) and then headed for the metro and home, stopping only to pick up some additional grocery items.
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| Locks on Pont des Arts |
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| The Ile de la Cite |
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| A giant seating/viewing area in front of Notre Dame meant no full length shot from afar - here is the top! |
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| And the Gargoyles! |
Ahhhhhhh, the memories :D Love the blog and the pics Di, keep 'em coming
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