The girls were super fast getting ready this morning and we were out the door by 8 am. Made our way to the Louvre and got right in line for previously purchased ticket entrance at 9 am. The line went super fast and we were able to get in and to the Mona Lisa before the rest of the crowds. In the pictures, for today, you can see how crowded it became around the Mona Lisa as the day wore on. The Louvre is huge and walking up and downstairs, and all around, can really wear you out.
After the Louvre we visited the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. If you stand underneath it you can see the other arch over two miles away, the Arch de Triomphe de l’Etoile.
Next stop, Norte Dame. There are some really cute side streets in this area filled with shops, cafes, and your everyday tourist traps. Norte Dame was crowded and the weather was cool. The architecture continues to amaze us. Truly spectacular! It took two hundred years to build. The first stone was laid in 1163. Henry VI, King of England, was crowned here and so was Napoleon I of France. Inside the cock that stands on top of the weather-vane, there is a holy relic — parts of the original crown of thorns.
As we perused the menus along the sidewalk, one of the Maître D’s approaches us and said, “Hello America! Would you like menus in English?” He asked us which state we were from and when we said Washington he said he had been to Seattle. Needless to say, he succeeded in luring us in to have some lunch. We enjoyed a Margarita Pizza and Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich (the cheese being on the outside) with French Fries. We know, we know, not very French, but the food was superb. Our Maître D’, while preparing the table beside us for some Belgians, let us know we Americans need to know that French Fries are not French, they were created by the Belgians. We all had a good laugh. These are the moments that make trips special.
Next stop, the Eiffel Tower. The RER on this trek was a little older and a little scarier as it felt like you were more underground than the previous routes we’ve ridden. The Eiffel Tower is a sight to see, and so fun to take pictures of. The lines for the entrance were super long, almost around the block. We went to the opposite side and found shorter lines to enter. The Tower is secured all the way around it. Lines for the elevator were long, but the line to the stairs is almost non-existent. We thought about doing the stairs but B was getting worn out, the temperature was dropping, and the wind was picking up. Maybe tomorrow, or not at all, we’re just happy to have experienced what we did.
We’ve become experts with our weekly Navigo Passes that give us unlimited use of the entire metro system. No troubles today getting in and out of the metro gates. The only trouble is, making sure you catch the right train to get you to your final destination. We actually got on the wrong one, but got off at the next stop and waited for the proper train that was only 5 minutes behind the earlier one we caught. Standing room only, keep your possessions in front of you and in pockets that can’t be reached easily. Again, people have been really helpful and kind, we’re just being proactive in the safety department.
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