26. I Have to Slow My Paris Roll!

Alright guys, here's how this post is going to go down. I'm tired beyond comprehension, because I went to three of the top Paris "gotta-do-its" today, and Im three-quarters asleep as I write this.

I managed to do the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower (to the top another day), all in one day. And I walked to and from all of them, with the exception of a taxi ride home from my last stop at the Eiffel Tower, because legs just stop at a point, regardless on the brain's direction. 

So, here's how were going to do this. This post will be mainly pictures, because honestly, nothing I can say can do a better job of explaining what I saw in these stunning monuments like pictures of them can. Little tidbits along the way from me for sure.

Right across the street from the Louvre, on the river, is the bridge of locks that everyone told me about. It's really quite fun. Though, I did see a friend post on Facebook the other day that some of the panels are being replaced with glass, which is sad, and I did see a few already replaced.

These two pictures are just of locks, not silly glass walls to ruin the fun.

MUSÈE DU LOUVRE

This place is massive, and as proven by these pictures, such a beautiful place in itself, before you even get into the artwork inside.

Venus De Milo. There was a huge group of people around it, so this is the best that I could do.

As you would imagine, the crowd around the Mona Lisa was intense. This is super-zoomed and the best of the shots I took. Meh, I tried.

The ceilings in a lot of these European cities outdo the artwork that's actually in buildings! I mean not the Louvre, of course.

Then it was on to the Tuileries Garden, on my way to the Arc De Triomphe! They have these very laid back chairs so that you have no choice but to relax. I love it. It's like a forced calm. 

In the middle of said garden, there was a restaurant type setup that sold hotdogs, amongst other things. I just needed something to fill my growling stomach, so I asked for a hotdog...

Do you see a hotdog? Nope. Me either, but it was under there, tucked in the fresh baguette and under all of that cheese. Outrageous. 

ARC DE TRIOMPHE

Here it is, though not great shots of the exterior from a far. There were a ton of people and the sun was being weird. Yes, I blaming the sun for my whack picture taking. Deal with it.

And then it gets good. I took so many pictures (spared you of a few), because I couldn't get over the size and the insane intricacy of it all.

Since I'd purchased my 6-Day Paris Museum Pass long ago (which I used at the Louvre to skip the line of 50 people), I was also able to use it here to climb to the top. There are a lot of stairs you guys, in an enclosed space, spiral upward. Look at this!

But then this is the result, so I stopped complaining to myself as I tried to catch my breath, and my pride, and took some very fun pictures of Paris on high.

EIFFEL TOWER

As I finished up at the Arc (yeah, we're on a first name basis), I figured I might as well go catch the Eiffel Tower at night, and come back another day to go to the top and see it in daylight.

The cool thing that happened here is not only can you see how I went from a distance to closer, but you can see how it went from light to dark. 

Also, THE EIFFEL TOWER IS STUNNING!

I sat on the grass at one point and couldn't explain to my own brain what I was seeing, so I just sat there longer. Then it got cold and I was super-hungry, so I carried on home.

Anyhow, here are the pictures, again, sparing you many, many more.

Loving this one!

The beauty of the area I'm staying in is that it has so, so many food options. It's a blessing and a curse, as these next two pictures will explain. 

I got a Nutella Banana crepe from one place, and walked two doors down for a fresh salmon, cheese and tomato panini. I sat in my bed like a happy, happy foodie, eating. It was the exact right finale to such an epic day.

And now, even though I said I was going to sleep at 11:30pm, it is 1:09am, and I can barely keep my eyes open. 

Tomorrow will be the Notre Dame, and I have to check my schedule to see what's open on Tuesdays, as it's kind of a picky day for museums and such in Paris.

Off I go to get some sleep, so until tomorrow!