Je suis a Paris!

Brandon, Reagan and I left on the train from Geneva to Paris, France bright and early Friday morning. We rolled into Paris three hours later, checked into our Airbnb apartment, and took off for our first day of adventures. And boy, did we pack it in!

We needed food and Brandon knew just where to go. We took a bit of a walk and ended up at the oldest outdoor food market in Paris – Marche des Enfants Rouges (Market of the Red Children, so named for the orphanage that was in the neighborhood when the market came about in the 1600’s). There were so many little ethnic restaurants crammed into this market. It was difficult to maneuver around tables, chairs, stalls of fresh produce, and people. Brandon took us to his favorite Japanese food stall where we all ordered bento boxes. It was a very interesting experience!

Keeping Reagan busy on the train looking at old pictures of herself and her mom and dad.

After figuring out which Metro train to take we finally arrived at our home for the weekend.
I still don't know the address, but it's near the corner of Rue de Renard et Rude de la Verrare.

On our way to find the Marche des Enfants Rouges for some lunch.

Reagan maneuvered those paved roads quite well on her scooter.

In front of the Market - the oldest covered market in Paris

The menu - easy to change when necessary!

Japanese bento boxes for lunch

These little fresh produce markets were a favorite of mine.

Then we headed to the first thing to see – the Cathedral of Notre Dame - which was just down the road from our apartment. I could actually see it from the apartment window. We passed by the beautiful Hotel de Ville, and walked over the River Seine. It was a beautiful, sunny day, with white puffy clouds in the sky. Reagan drove her little scooter around the square in front of the cathedral while I was taking pictures. Brandon went in search of some Paris Museum Passes.

When we were all together again we went inside the cathedral. It’s huge! It’s gothic in nature with some gorgeous stained-glass windows. It’s such a well-known church and one of the “must see” buildings to see in Paris, but I had just come from Italy where there was an excessive amount of artwork and ornamentation that Notre-Dame almost seemed bare. I was impressed, but not overly-impressed. We did have an unusual event while waiting in line to climb to the dome. It started to get really windy, then it started to rain, then there was a major downpour. Within seconds the gargoyles around the outside perimeter of Notre-Dame were “spitting” out water! More like vomiting, but you get the idea. We were soaked by the time we were allowed in. After I had climbed about 60 steps, soaking wet, I opted out of the next 300+ steps to the dome, with very little “rest stops” along the way. By the time we were all done, it was beautiful and sunny again. Crazy!

Walking over the Seine River on our way to the island on which stands the Cathedral of Notre-Dame

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame

The portals were awesome!

Reagan and I having some fun while waiting for Dad to come back with passes.

Scootering around the square.

Beautiful windows throughout the cathedral

Joan of Arc

Two long panels of this art work from the life of Jesus

The organ

Brandon's pictures from the top

LOVE!

Panoramic shot

What I was impressed with was the next church we went to, which was right around the corner. I had this church on my list of things to see, but I couldn’t remember why. Brandon knew exactly why but didn’t let on so he could see my expression when I walked in. It was stunning! I have never seen anything like it! Floor to ceiling stained-glass windows around the entire perimeter of the inside of the chapel. The building – Sainte-Chapelle, and is a royal chapel in the gothic style. The building of this chapel began sometime after 1238 and only took 7 years to complete. It has one of the most extensive13^th century stained-glass collections anywhere in the world. It was jaw-dropping, unbelievably exquisite. Pictures don’t do it justice. You have to see if with your own eyes. You won’t want to leave. Because we had a little one with us I didn’t get to read as much as normally would, but there are several stories told in those windows.

After Sainte-Chapelle we hopped on the metro (which seemed to be difficult to navigate, but Brandon did the navigating so I wouldn’t know for sure) and headed to Paris’ most notable tourist attraction – the Eiffel Tower. It did not disappoint. Although, when I got off the metro and saw it for the first time I was unimpressed. I said to Brandon, “It looks smaller and browner that I thought it would.” Of course we were still some distance away, and as we got closer I understood the magnitude of this engineering feat. It is very tall.

My first view of the Eiffel Tower

Reagan patiently waiting with her new colored pencils and pad of paper Grandma Sally bought her.

Read below to find out what this is all about!

But before we get too far into the Eiffel Tower, there’s a great story to tell. In Paris there are some public, no-pay toilets on the street. Brandon and I both needed to use the facility. Oh my gosh, I could not figure out why the door wouldn’t stay shut. When I thought I had it figured out I started to pull down my pants and the door opens! Ohmygosh! Then I started to crack up which isn’t so good when you have to pee so bad! But what we learned was that after one person uses the toilet and leaves, the door closes and it goes through a “wash” cycle – the entire toilet, sink, and little room area get cleaned. Then the toilet is ready to be used again. There is an explanation on the outside with lights letting the average smart person know if the toilet is “vacant” or “occupied” or “being washed” or “ready.” Of course, that is all in French. It was just a funny experience we had very near the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair. It is a sight to behold. We didn’t have to wait in line to get to the first elevator and take us up quite a ways, but we had to wait in a long cold and windy line to get up to the very top (smaller elevator). It was worth it but at the time, all three of us were freezing up there in the wind. Oddly enough, when we got to the very top and stepped out, it wasn’t that bad at all. We got some great pictures before heading back down. You can see all of Paris from up that high. I had no idea Paris was so big and so flat. And all the buildings look white, with the exception of some newer ones, including some out of place skyscrapers.

From the top

Arc de Triomphe center

Having fun at the top

Waiting in a long line, cold and windy, to get to the top. Still smiling.

Safely on ground once again

From across the river - beautiful!

It was long day that started with a train ride from another country and then three big sights in Paris. We were wiped out. Stopped at another one of Brandon’s suggested restaurants, this time for tacos. We were all glad to get back to the apartment and get some sleep.