paris.

We took the Chunnel from London to Paris.  Kind of crazy that we were in a train underneath the ocean!  There was a fire on the tracks in France so we were delayed quite a bit which meant that i was asleep for most of the train ride.  Bummed I missed the part where we were underwater.

{before i fell asleep from all the excitement of getting to paris, obviously}

You better believe we headed straight for the Eiffel Tower when we arrive in Paris.  We got off the metro and walked toward the Eiffel Tower from a distance- the only way to do it!  You are able to get such a better perspective of how massive this masterpiece is.  Cool Fact: the tower is engineered in a way  to where the weight is so evenly distributed that at no point is there any more weight than a person sitting in a chair.

After the Eiffel Tower, we walked over to Le Relais de l'Entrecote for dinner.  The brasserie serves only one dish- steak frites with a white wine butter sauce.  The only questions they ask you when you sit down is what do you want to drink? and how do you want your meat cooked?  This place was packed with local Parisians.

The Eiffel Tower at night.  So breathtaking!

We took a scenic river cruise through the Seine River, which is a World Heritage Site.  We loved being able to see Paris and all the monuments from the river.  Very relaxing and very informative.

Next up was Hotel de Invalides, which holds Napolean's Tomb.  Fun fact:  There is a balcony surrounding this massive tomb to ensure that anyone looking upon it will bow to him.

Michael's favorite writer, Earnest Hemmingway, used to live in Paris.  We made a few "Hemmingway Stops" along the way to see these famous hangouts.

Notre Dame.  The complexity and detail in every single sculpture and design is unbelievable.  I can't believe I was in the building where the Hunchback of Notre Dame was filmed.  But seriously, this building was unreal.  One of the designs on the outside describes Mary's death, which was very interesting to hear.  There are stories and myths that go along with pretty much every sculpture.  And yes, we did hike to the top of the towers.  You can't beat that view.

{the bell the hunchback probably rang}

We went the Arc de Triomphe that evening.  Napolean and his army walked underneath the arch after a victorious battle.  During WWII Hitler and his army walked underneath the arch during their take over of Europe.  There are photographs with the Parisians on the sidewalks crying while this event took place.  

 {we climbed to the top- what a pretty view}

The Louvre.  This place is so large that in order to see everything inside it would take about 2 weeks- all day.  We spent a few hours seeing the highlighted pieces.  It is beautiful inside.

{tourist alert!}

Shakespear & Company.  Coolest bookstore I've ever been to.  One of Hemmingway and other famous writer's hangouts.  Writers can come and stay for free and sleep on one of the beds strewn throughout this little store.

Seine River.

After each day we were exhausted, but we wanted to soak up every ounce of this amazing city.  

The City of Lights.  Au Revoir!