Travel Edition: Paris with Kids…Memories and Mileage!

March 16th, 2016

This evening, as I was thinking back on our time in Paris and reading what others have to say about this famous city, I came across these two quotes…

1) Paris is always a good idea. -Audrey Hepburn

2) A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life. -Thomas Jefferson

I couldn’t agree more! Though our visit was short, we managed to take in several sites. The traffic is crazy, the people are passionate and beauty is everywhere. One of my favorite moments in Paris was sitting on the sidewalk with the boys. We were in a square in Montmartre where artists congregate, set up their easels, and create and sell their art. I was immersed in conversation with E and S and found such simple contentment in their company and our surroundings. I love getting to share these experiences. Later, Hubby showed me this picture he took from a distance…

We were deeply grateful to have Hubby’s sister, Grace with us. It was her fourth time in Paris and she navigated the trains and sites with ease and confidence. This greatly reduced the strain on us of figuring out how to get around. Thank you Grace!

On Friday, we put some serious mileage on our shoes! In hopes of avoiding the weekend crowd, we decided to focus on a few of the more popular sites in Paris. We walked up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower (and down), saw the Arc de Triomphe, walked up to the top of Notre Dame (and down), walked across one of the bridges built over the Seine and visited the Louvre. The kids did an amazing job hanging in there for all of it. I think they all passed out that night. I know I did! It was the biggest work out I have had since we moved to Germany.

Here is a look at our first full day in pictures!

The Eiffel Tower

The lines were short when we arrived and even shorter if we were willing to walk versus take the elevator. With our two energetic boys (7yrs. and 4 yrs), the choice was easy. They led the way up the 674 stairs to the second level! My legs were burning as I watched them in amazement. The views were rewarding though the glass floors were pretty unnerving. Thankfully, those were only in small areas!

When we got back down, tummies were rumbling. We walked a few blocks to a local bakery and market where we purchased bread, meat, cheese, fruit, chips and drinks. We had our Parisian lunch in a little park, near the base of the Eiffel Tower…budget friendly and great views!

Arc de Triomphe

Napoleon had this monument built to pay tribute to his victories. Beneath it lies the tomb of the Unknown Soldier dating back to WWI. The names of all French victories and generals are inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. As you can see in the last picture, our boys started loosing steam here.

We took an open-air “taxi” from the Arc de Triomphe to Notre Dame, allowing for a couple of naps and a bit of respite for our feet. Our driver, Alain, shared French history and interesting facts as he took us through the CRAZY roundabout, down the Champs-Elysées, alongside the Luxor Obelisk at the Place de la Concorde, pass the Louvre and finally to Notre Dame.

While we waited in line to walk up to the top of Notre Dame, we bought the boys Nutella Waffles to help them refuel. It was our only real line we waited in the entire day. Thankfully, it didn’t take too long before we were ascending the winding staircases to the bell tower and then to the top! Afterwards, we went inside to take in the beauty!

As we left Notre Dame, the sun began its slow descent in the sky. With Grace and Hubby navigating, we walked across one of the bridges over the Seine in search of a café for dinner. With all the energy we were asserting, we needed another pit stop to fill up again!

After dinner, we took the train to the Louvre. I read somewhere that the Louvre is free on Friday evenings after 6pm. Though we were able to walk right into the Louvre (no line), the adults were stopped from entering the exhibit halls because of our age. A minor detail I had missed. Just so YOU know…the Louvre is free to those 26 years and younger on Friday nights after 6pm. Sadly, we can no longer pass for twenty-somethings! As we were brainstorming a new plan, a French gentleman approached us and offered to get one of us in for free. Hubby accompanied him as his guest allowing us to get our group of six in with two tickets. The kind man gave us a short tour.

Due to our time and energy restraints and the boys’ desires to see the Mona Lisa, we immediately made our way through the maze of hallways in search of her. When we found her room, we were surprised to be able to walk right up and gaze upon that famous smile. How fun it was to see DaVinci’s masterpiece in person! I was pleasantly surprised to find the Mona Lisa larger than I had expected.

We took in a few other pieces, like this sculpture that Grace named “The First Selfie” and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, before exhaustion took over and we bid the Louvre goodbye. Perhaps we will return another time.