Coming Home from Paris

This was from the previous night ~ this is the view out the window as you get on and off the elevator at the hotel.

Woke up bright (or actually it was pretty dark) and early (yep--5am is very early) and checked out of our hotel!  I can't say enough good things about this hotel! It was absolutely perfect for our week here. 

What you see when you come in or leave the hotel, you can only read it properly in the mirror, as it is backwards on the wall itself. 

 

To the airport! Our very last ride on the metro

This airport had the fanciest bathroom!

 

Last Selfies

  

Glad to be back to these cuties.  All of them wearing the Paris shirts we got them.

 We got Sam a giant chocolate coin in London, and a smaller one from the Eiffel Tower.

We got Luke some Eiffel tower shaped gummies and he also got a coin

Ruby got a sucker that we found for such a cheap price at the Luxembourg Gardens.  We also brought back the kids a 6" tall Eiffel tower to play with.  Got it off a guy on the grass for like $5.

Such a fantastic, jam-packed trip!  I have always wanted to go to Paris and now I've been there.  I just wish I ate more crepes!!

Last Full Day in Paris

Saturday October 21, 2017 

On this very cloudy morning, we took a bus up to Montmartre to see the views and the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur.  We walked a bit from the bus stop to the church and I found a fabric store!  Leave it to me to find the fabric stores in foreign countries! (I found one in Cozumel Mexico, too).  I didn't buy anything this time, but I really should have to compare the experiences. 

 

  

We got there pretty early, so it wasn't swarming with people

You can't really see any of the major landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Louvre...) from here, but if you know the history behind this area, that was kind of the point the artists from this area were trying to make. I was a little disappointed that I wasn't going to SEE any artists working in the streets today because of the weather, but I guess that means I'll just have to come back some day :)

 

We went inside, but we didn't stay that long.

  

We opted to walk to our next destination (Moulin Rouge).  

Found a chocolate shop with a Chocolate Notre Dame!

Pitstop for pastries!

 I will only say, that the walk to the Moulin Rouge is definitely not kid-friendly.

Since we were walking everywhere, today, why not keep going.

Found this cute church, St Georges, it was under construction/restoration, but it was amazing just on the outside! There was also an amazing playground for kids near this. 

Next stop was the Palais Garnier (Opera House)

 

 

I'm so glad we came here.

I loved all the decadence! I actually think it was more fancy and decadent than Versailles!

Scott thought I was silly for taking pictures of all the ceilings and floors around Paris...but I have no regrets, I love them and I am glad I have pictures of them!

  

 

 

After the opera house we made our way back to the hotel for a break after all that walking.  We went out soon enough again, though because we had to get our souvenirs for our kids and my parents who were watching our kids, and my artwork that I wanted to get.  Note to self: Never leave the souvenir shopping all for the end...Hubby will definitely go nutty and everybody will be stressed out!

After the shopping and another break at the hotel, we ventured out to see the Luxembourg Gardens because it was really close to our hotel but we still hadn't seen it.

A random rainstorm blew through and we had to hide under a tree for a while until it stopped!  But despite that, it was still really pretty.

There was even a mini boat race on the pond!!

 

That night we decided that for our last meal in Paris, we were kind of done with the more authentic Parisian food dining experiences and we made our way to Hard Rock Cafe!!  Gimme some AMERICAN sized portions, music and a real table that I can sit at ALONE, please!