Paris 2010 - Day 4 - 27 November 2010

Everyone slept in late today to catch up on sleep.  This time MK and TK beat us up and brought breakfast over to "the kids’ place."  We feasted on the usual croissants, pan au chocolat, quiche, some other chocolate chip pastry, and fresh fruit before setting out for our long awaited trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower!

The lines weren’t too bad at the tower, but it was definitely a little chilly standing outside the whole time.  Waited for several lifts to bring us to the top level of the Eiffel Tower.  They really cram everyone into the elevators with little room to breathe!  It was like riding the crowded gondolas to the top of the Alps.  Although we were high up, I never really felt scared.  Unlike the Tower of Pisa, the railings here were well over our heads and there was also an indoor viewing area.  We picked a great day to tour the Tower because the view was nice and clear when we got to the top. Took several family pictures up top and down on the ground with the Eiffel Tower.  Can you say family Christmas card?!  The wait to get to the top was definitely worth it…and who knew, but the Tower is actually brown! 

After our Eiffel Tower visit, we decided to stay together to tour the city.  Walked down Rue Cler and got a delicious lunch at a bakery.  Joe and Benson sampled the footlong hotdogs wrapped in a buttery roll, I tried the onion quiche, Shawn the croque monsieur and MK and TK the potato leek soup.  French bakeries really haven’t caught on to the gluten-free craze like in other places so unfortunately this did not serve as a good lunch for Lisa.  Spotted an Amorino on Rue Cler and had to order another hot chocolate.  This one wasn’t as thick, but it hit the spot!

Following lunch, we took a quick tour of the Army Museum’s WWI and WWII wing with our Museum passes.  We didn’t have much time to stop and read a lot of the displays, but the museum was definitely very informative.  Just made it in time to see Napoleon’s tomb under a huge dome in the center of the museum building. 

Tonight we took an early evening stroll down the Champs-Elysees where all the high end stores are located. The wide sidewalks were very crowded since they had Christmas stands open along the way.  All the holiday lights were up and on making it a very pleasant walk.  We made it to the Arc de Triomphe with fifteen minutes to spare before the top of the hour.  Our goal…to make it to the top in time to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle on the hour.  We just barely made it after sprinting up the 284 stairs.  Once again we picked a great night to be here since the view was very clear.

Next we hopped on the Metro to Montmartre to climb even more steps to the basilica of Sacre Coeur.  We were surprised to learn that this Church is only 125 years old.  It is well known due to the fact that 13 bombs fell in this area during WWII, yet none of them hit the Church or harmed anyone in the surrounding area.  For a “newer” Church, it was certainly beautiful!  The dome above the altar was especially impressive.  Mom was delighted to spot St. Agnes and St. Bernard on the ceiling.  Sacre Coeur was packed with visitors and scout groups who looked like they were spending the night.  I read somewhere that this Church does 24 hr adoration.  You can sign up for a spot and they will give you a place to sleep for the night so you are here to do your assigned hour of prayer.  Maybe the next time!             

Decided to try one of Rick’s recommended restaurants on Montmartre tonight.  Excellent decision.  Le Relais Gascon had huge salads topped with amazing garlic potato slices.  Shawn also liked the steak in pepper sauce.  My French onion soup was delicious.  For portion size, taste and value, this was a great find.  Thanks, Rick!

Before heading back to the apartment, we squeezed in a few last sights of Paris.  I finally got to see the Moulin Rouge and its windmill.  I also found room in my stomach for a fresh chocolate crepe on Rue Mouffetard.  Back at the apartment, we all agreed that it was definitely worth the short trip to have this family vacation in Paris.  The apartment and its location were awesome!  We saw lots of sights, had some great meals, and felt like we had a vacation.  More importantly, the seven of us had a chance to catch up for the first time in a while.  I can’t speak for the rest of us, but I could certainly have stayed longer in Paris because I really loved it.  Guess I’ll have to come back again sometime!