We decided to take advantage of the kids' "ski break," not to go skiing, but to visit Paris. The City of Lights did not disappoint. We spent six days, lodging in a charming, spacious aparment on the Left Bank. We loved the museums, the food, the streets, and the people (whoever said Parisians are rude has clearly never been to Paris--or maybe they went to Vienna and thought they were in Paris). Our apartment was just a two-minute walk from Notre Dame cathedral, the highlight of Paris for me. I could have spent the whole trip taking pictures of its flying buttresses and stained-glass windows.
Our first day in Paris we took a river cruise from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower, and admired the bridges and buildings along the Seine.
For Fox, the highlight was definitely the Eiffel Tower (with the Arc de Triomphe a close second). We had hoped to go to the top our first day, but the line was so long we decided not to spend hours waiting. But because Fox couldn't stop talking about how BIG the Eiffel Tower was, and even picked a mini Eiffel for his souvenir (which he slept with every night, as well as on the Paris Metro), we decided to go back early in the morning the last day. Despite the rain, we had a blast going to the top and took some cool shots of the city from up high. It was totally worth it. The Arc de Triomphe was surprisingly fun for the kids. Eden was a bit sick the first day when we went, so Andrew took Fox to the top while I rested with Eden (the poor girl was fast asleep on a bench on the Champs Elysee). Fox meanwhile sprinted the 200 plus steps to the top, racing past struggling adults, and proceeded to run circles around the top of the Arc. Needless to say, he was impressed. We returned a few nights later so we could all climb it as a family. We took a half day to go to MontMarte, a famous artisan district that overlooks the rest of the city. We saw some beautiful churches--one had the most amazing, modern stained-glass window we'd ever seen--and the Moulin Rouge (no, we didn't go in), as well as just enjoying the district. A bit touristy, but cool. Of course, the museums were unbelievable. Eden especially like the Egyptian collection at the Louvre. Andrew's favorite was the Centre Pompidou, with its inside out architecture and collection of modern and contemporary works. I liked the Musee d'Orsay and the Impressionist works, as well as the giant Monet's in the Musee d'Orangerie. The kids were very well behaved and really enjoyed seeing the art (at least for a little while). I wish I had brought my tripod to get better night shots, but a few turned out alright. Several of these were taken from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Here are some random pictures from out and about town. In less than a week, we definitely feel like we barely scratched the surface of all there is to see there. I could kick myself for not taking pictures of all of the delicious (and interesting) food we ate: crepes, chocolate croissantes, escargot, mussels, preserved duck, stuffed rabit legs, and a host of other delicacies that I now have to figure out how to recreate in my kitchen (step 1: collect some snails...). Andrew promises me he'll bid on Paris for a future post. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
For Fox, the highlight was definitely the Eiffel Tower (with the Arc de Triomphe a close second). We had hoped to go to the top our first day, but the line was so long we decided not to spend hours waiting. But because Fox couldn't stop talking about how BIG the Eiffel Tower was, and even picked a mini Eiffel for his souvenir (which he slept with every night, as well as on the Paris Metro), we decided to go back early in the morning the last day. Despite the rain, we had a blast going to the top and took some cool shots of the city from up high. It was totally worth it. The Arc de Triomphe was surprisingly fun for the kids. Eden was a bit sick the first day when we went, so Andrew took Fox to the top while I rested with Eden (the poor girl was fast asleep on a bench on the Champs Elysee). Fox meanwhile sprinted the 200 plus steps to the top, racing past struggling adults, and proceeded to run circles around the top of the Arc. Needless to say, he was impressed. We returned a few nights later so we could all climb it as a family. We took a half day to go to MontMarte, a famous artisan district that overlooks the rest of the city. We saw some beautiful churches--one had the most amazing, modern stained-glass window we'd ever seen--and the Moulin Rouge (no, we didn't go in), as well as just enjoying the district. A bit touristy, but cool. Of course, the museums were unbelievable. Eden especially like the Egyptian collection at the Louvre. Andrew's favorite was the Centre Pompidou, with its inside out architecture and collection of modern and contemporary works. I liked the Musee d'Orsay and the Impressionist works, as well as the giant Monet's in the Musee d'Orangerie. The kids were very well behaved and really enjoyed seeing the art (at least for a little while). I wish I had brought my tripod to get better night shots, but a few turned out alright. Several of these were taken from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Here are some random pictures from out and about town. In less than a week, we definitely feel like we barely scratched the surface of all there is to see there. I could kick myself for not taking pictures of all of the delicious (and interesting) food we ate: crepes, chocolate croissantes, escargot, mussels, preserved duck, stuffed rabit legs, and a host of other delicacies that I now have to figure out how to recreate in my kitchen (step 1: collect some snails...). Andrew promises me he'll bid on Paris for a future post. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
No comments:
Post a Comment