Day 3 Versailles

Today we did get up super early because we knew we were going to be doing about an hour travelling to Versailles. We had to take the RER to Versailles with a connection it was well worth the travel time!

The Palace of Versailles: OMG…It was more grandiose than I ever imagined. Walking up the streets to see the palace just made me think of all the stories I tell my students during our unit on the French revolution! It was originally a hunting lodge, built in 1624, by Louis XIV, the "Sun King," …then later would become the main residence of the royal families. Walking through the palace was amazing, with all of the gold adorned bedrooms, and family paintings, the furniture was so couture and it felt surreal how people really live like we see in fairy tales. I really could understand why King Louis VXI and Marie Antoinette were beheaded. It was so cool to stand in the Hall of Mirrors where so many peace treaties have been signed.
The Gardens: The Sun King drained swamps and moved whole forests to create 250 acres of formal gardens, tree-lined paths, flowerbeds, lakes, and fountains. And this filled only a small portion of the grounds -- the entire estate covered 2,000 acres. It is truly an amazing site to see! I was mesmerized by the vision of the Grand Canal as it stretches in the center of the gardens. We ate an amazing lunch overlooking the canal.

Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon: After lunch we walked to visit the other little palaces and Marie Antoinette’s playhouse.

Tips: Rent headphones, or take a tour. Rent a golf cart to travel to through the gardens. Don’t plan anything else the day you visit…you will be soo tired! The Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon were cool but how much French luxury can you take for the day. Spend more time in the gardens relaxing.
















After we came back from Versailles we rested a bit then decided to take a river cruise down the Seine! It was so beautiful seeing all of the buildings lit up at night. My favorite was the sparkly Eiffel Tower. It was very cold but my honey kept me warm. Next time I will bring some wine!









After searching for the perfect french resturant we ended up at delicious place on Champs Elysee. I loved the wine and french onion soup while the sausage I tried to sample was kinda gross. It's good to experiment though so I was glad I ordered it!

Paris Day 2 Louvre, St Chapelle, and Notre Dame

We slept in!!! Well our plan to wake-up super early went out the window. Dennis and I truly enjoy sleeping in and we are on vacation so I was over it!

• Breakfast at our Spot: McDonald’s…I know how could we ever eat at McD’s when we could go to a yummy bakery and order some croissants. Well since we were in a rush to get to Louvre we opted for a quick, and familiar breakfast. Boy was it delicious!! In my meal: Oj and strong ass coffee, an egg mcmuffin, a small shot of yogurt and chocolate filled croissant…all of this for only 4.40E. Truly a steal since just a coffee at another café costs about 5E!

• The Louvre: We went on our first mission and we would have to take the metro to get there. After studying our maps for a bit we found our way to the amazing square where the Louvre is located. The museum was so awesome..we focused on the Sully area but also managed to see all of the classics just to name a few..The Code of Hammurabi, The Mona Lisa, The Libertad, The Coronation of Napoleon, Venus de Milo and awesome Assyrian statues. Being a history teacher and getting to see actual art I show my students was soo amazing!! We were there for about 4 hours and you could really spend a lifetime there. I felt so guilty just walking past art but you really can’t see it all in a day.







• Our First Café!: We were starved but I refused to eat in the museum so we went hunting for the perfect café. We walked along the Seine River and found a cute place. We both ordered delicious ham and cheese baguettes and drank wine while we people watched and enjoyed the scenery. I am in LOVE with this place and my hubby! He has been so amazing.





• St Chappelle: We were off to The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel"), plan of the chapel dates from 1241. We really only focused on the upper..I am unsure if that was all to see. It was truly beautiful.. its Gothic architecture — light, color, and space had sense of harmony. The stained glass windows are divided in arches and tell the full biblical story from the creation to the redemption of Christ. The way the light shines in is inexplicable!




• Notre Dame: We walked up a few streets and there it was Our Lady of Paris or Notre Dame..Dennis and I were in utter disbelief. It looked just like I envisioned in my head! It was built in 1163, during the reign of Louis VII but it looks intact. The architecture is beautiful, the main façade with the big round center, flying buttresses, the gargoyles above! Mass was being held inside which I was a bit intrigued and confused about. Tourists taking pictures and oooo and aaa’ing while mass was being held. The artwork, religious statues, and stained glass windows were exquisite. We walked around the back and discovered another amazing view of the cathedral and a little park which I was silly and released my inner child! We found a café in the corner called Esmeralda like the gypsy from the hunch back hehe). We sat and ordered some coffee and tea to warm up, we enjoyed the view and listened to an accordion playing beautiful music in the background.





• We enjoyed a romantic night drinking wine at the local lounge!



Tips:
Louvre Museum-Invest in the head set at the Louvre, it’s worth the money and it’s great to learn about the art work. Pick your top ten art pieces and go on a scavenger hunt…it’s enormous!

St. Chappelle: Skip this if you don’t have time or the line is long to get in.

Notre Dame: Careful with the Muslim gypsies in front of the cathedral, go out and around the back and hang out in the park. Go to Esmeralda café! If you want to buy something Do it…you may not have time to get it later.

Paris Day 1

Dennis had an amazing time in Europe! I fell in love with both Paris and Rome. Words can’t describe all of the amazing things you can experience while travelling abroad! As a way to remember my trip I want to just give a beak down of what we did each day! Thanks to my buddy Cora who gave me a little journal to document my travels!

Saturday: Depart at 6pm from LAX. I am sooo excited!

Sunday…Day 1
• We arrived in Paris at about 4pm, we arrived at our Best Western Arc de Triomphe. We were so exhausted from the hours of travel and our clock was soo off we had to talk a little nap.

• Arc de Triomphe: Out we go to explore the city…our first stop was right next to our hotel. The Arc de Triomphe was gorgeous and surrounded by a round about inresection that just seemed so dangerous. I kept picturing Hitler and the Nazi’s standing underneath as I show that picture on a WWI powerpoint for class.

• Champs Elysse: We were starving and decided we would go down to Champs Elysse to search for some dinner. I love walking through the streets in Paris, it felt so romantic being surrounded by beautiful designer stores, restaurants, people in high heeled boots and warm coats. Finally after walking up and down we stopped at an Italian place…go figure but pizza sounded so good. Our meal was delicious and it was fun trying my French on the waiter. Of course we got ice cream after and went into some of the cute stores.

It was a long day but I am so excited to be in Paris!!!


Tips:
-It costs more sit and eat. So take treats such as crepes and ice cream to go!
-Order the Bordeaux wine instead of soda, it’s cheaper and oh soo yummy!
-Try some French on the waiter..it’s fun and when will you ever get the chance to do that again!