We were able to take a quick trip to Paris this past weekend. Andy had a 4-day weekend and some friends invited us to tag along with them. So, we headed off for a 3-day adventure in Paris with two other families. We went to Paris over a year ago, but it was cold and we waited in lots of long lines. This time we were able to enjoy Paris a bit more. We drove down Thursday morning and were there by 1 PM ready to explore. Our first stop was the Arc de Triomphe. 
Here we are at the Arc de Triomphe. This time we decided to go to the top and here are some pictures of the view from the top:
Here's a picture of Champs-Elysees. We took quite a walk down Champs-Elysees to get to the Arc de Triomphe. We didn't get off on the right stop and we figured it didn't look like too far of a walk. Later we found out we had gone 3 stops too many on the metro. Oh well, it was fun to walk anyways. 
After the Arc, we headed to the Eiffel Tower. We didn't go up this time, but we enjoyed some ice cream at the base of the Eiffel Tower. 
We then took a 1-hour cruise down the Seine River. Everyone enjoyed the cruise, even though it got a bit windy, because we had the chance to rest our feet. Here's Rachel playing with her friend Ashley:
Audrey enjoying her cruise down the Seine River. Such a cutie! 
A great picture that Andy took while we were still on the boat. 
Strolling through the metro system after a busy afternoon/evening in Paris. Paris isn't that stroller friendly, so we didn't haul the double stroller. Rachel was good about taking turns with Audrey in the stroller so I didn't have to haul Audrey around the whole time in the Beco. Here's a picture from our hotel room that evening of the Arc lit up. We realized that it was probably a shorter walk from our hotel to the Arc than what we had done earlier that afternoon! :) 
Here we are at the Arc de Triomphe. This time we decided to go to the top and here are some pictures of the view from the top:Here's a picture of Champs-Elysees. We took quite a walk down Champs-Elysees to get to the Arc de Triomphe. We didn't get off on the right stop and we figured it didn't look like too far of a walk. Later we found out we had gone 3 stops too many on the metro. Oh well, it was fun to walk anyways. After the Arc, we headed to the Eiffel Tower. We didn't go up this time, but we enjoyed some ice cream at the base of the Eiffel Tower. We then took a 1-hour cruise down the Seine River. Everyone enjoyed the cruise, even though it got a bit windy, because we had the chance to rest our feet. Here's Rachel playing with her friend Ashley:Audrey enjoying her cruise down the Seine River. Such a cutie! A great picture that Andy took while we were still on the boat. Strolling through the metro system after a busy afternoon/evening in Paris. Paris isn't that stroller friendly, so we didn't haul the double stroller. Rachel was good about taking turns with Audrey in the stroller so I didn't have to haul Audrey around the whole time in the Beco. Here's a picture from our hotel room that evening of the Arc lit up. We realized that it was probably a shorter walk from our hotel to the Arc than what we had done earlier that afternoon! :) Friday morning while the girls and I were getting ready for the day Andy headed down to a local bakery to get us fresh croissants for breakfast. Yummy! We then headed to a street called Rue Cler. It was a street with pastry shops, fruit markets, flower stalls, cafes, and boutiques. We enjoyed walking down it. Rachel wanted to stop and ride this little horse and a lady who worked at the little shop there put money in for Rachel to ride it. 
We purchased some delicious strawberries from one of the fruit stands. And then we couldn't pass up a banana/chocolate crepe as well. Here we are enjoying our spoils:
We then hopped back on the metro and headed to the Latin Quarter. We walked around a bit and came across the Pantheon. 
We then met up with our friends for lunch and headed over to see Norte Dame. We were hoping to go inside this time, but the line was horrendous once again. So, we decided to pass. 
After much deliberation we decided to head to Luxembourg Gardens. The kids would be able to play and we would be able to see the Statue of Liberty. The kids played for a good hour on the grass and then a park worker came and told us they weren't supposed to play on the grass. I guess that explains why no one else was playing on the grass! Oh well, we got a good hour in and the kids enjoyed themselves. 
Rachel had fun kicking an empty water bottle around with Chase. It's amazing what can keep kids entertained. 
Audrey enjoyed some much needed wiggle time. Two days of car seat, stroller, and baby carrier can get old! :)
The State of Liberty in Paris.
After being kicked off of the grass the kids all had a ride on the carousel. We then decided to make it an earlier night than before and headed back towards our hotel for some dinner. After dinner Rachel really wanted some ice cream. So, we went in search of an ice cream stand. We walked from our hotel to the Arc de Triomphe, but never came across an ice cream stand. So, we took the metro back to our hotel, found a nearby grocery store, and enjoyed some ice cream sitting on a bench outside our hotel. 
The next day we were a bit lazy in the morning. We finally got going and decided to try go see the Catacombs of Paris. We didn't think it would be that busy. Well, after I sat in a park with the girls for 25 minutes while Andy stood in line, he came back to tell me the line wasn't moving very fast. So, we decided to forget the catacombs. We headed back to our hotel, had lunch with our friends, and headed home. So, on our last day in Paris we spent a good hour on the metro. Oh well, Audrey didn't mind! :)
Rachel was very sad to leave her friends and the hotel. She has gotten so she really likes hotels - I guess it's just something new and different. The past couple of days she has also wanted Andy to be home from work. I've explained to her that he has to work so we can go on more trips. :) She likes and understands that answer better than he needs to work so we have food and clothes. We had a good time in Paris our second time around. We couldn't have asked for better weather and better company!
We purchased some delicious strawberries from one of the fruit stands. And then we couldn't pass up a banana/chocolate crepe as well. Here we are enjoying our spoils:We then hopped back on the metro and headed to the Latin Quarter. We walked around a bit and came across the Pantheon. 
We then met up with our friends for lunch and headed over to see Norte Dame. We were hoping to go inside this time, but the line was horrendous once again. So, we decided to pass. 
After much deliberation we decided to head to Luxembourg Gardens. The kids would be able to play and we would be able to see the Statue of Liberty. The kids played for a good hour on the grass and then a park worker came and told us they weren't supposed to play on the grass. I guess that explains why no one else was playing on the grass! Oh well, we got a good hour in and the kids enjoyed themselves. Rachel had fun kicking an empty water bottle around with Chase. It's amazing what can keep kids entertained. Audrey enjoyed some much needed wiggle time. Two days of car seat, stroller, and baby carrier can get old! :) The State of Liberty in Paris.
After being kicked off of the grass the kids all had a ride on the carousel. We then decided to make it an earlier night than before and headed back towards our hotel for some dinner. After dinner Rachel really wanted some ice cream. So, we went in search of an ice cream stand. We walked from our hotel to the Arc de Triomphe, but never came across an ice cream stand. So, we took the metro back to our hotel, found a nearby grocery store, and enjoyed some ice cream sitting on a bench outside our hotel. 
The next day we were a bit lazy in the morning. We finally got going and decided to try go see the Catacombs of Paris. We didn't think it would be that busy. Well, after I sat in a park with the girls for 25 minutes while Andy stood in line, he came back to tell me the line wasn't moving very fast. So, we decided to forget the catacombs. We headed back to our hotel, had lunch with our friends, and headed home. So, on our last day in Paris we spent a good hour on the metro. Oh well, Audrey didn't mind! :)
Rachel was very sad to leave her friends and the hotel. She has gotten so she really likes hotels - I guess it's just something new and different. The past couple of days she has also wanted Andy to be home from work. I've explained to her that he has to work so we can go on more trips. :) She likes and understands that answer better than he needs to work so we have food and clothes. We had a good time in Paris our second time around. We couldn't have asked for better weather and better company! 
2 comments:
Love the pictures. I got to Paris in March and loved it. I lost five pounds using the stairs in the Metro!!
The girls are precious. Audrey looks a lot like Raphael. I hope you get to take lots of trips before you come back to the states.
Love,
Mary Ellen
Only the photos will ever prove how extensive Rachel has traveled in her young life - more places than I will ever be in my lifetime. I am sure it will give her the urge to visit again when she is mature. That is going to be expensive.
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