p.a.r.i.s.

Hello friends and welcome to Paris!

Paris. Was. Stunning. 

Notre Dame was our first stop in Paris. Neither of us could remember the cartoon very well (we made sure to watch it after we got back home) But it was so incredible. We got to go inside and admire all the spectacular art and architecture. It was a really beautiful place. 

Of course we couldn't be in France and not eat crepes. We were so addicted! Yum... stopping for crepes was literally the 2nd thing we did. 

Oh the Eiffel Tower. I LOVED it. We got to see it every day that we were in Paris. I just could not get enough. It blew our minds how gigantic it is and it is absolutely spectacular at night. Picture obviously cannot do it justice.  

Arc de Triomphe 

 The Army Museum. Unfortunately it was closed the day we went but we still got to walk around the grounds 

This is the tomb of Napoleon. Yes, Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb. It is actually a lot bigger than it looks.  

 This is the church which holds Napoleon's tomb, along with many other tombs of other military figures. 

So cold, so cold, so cold!

Trying macaroons from atop the Eiffel Tower. It was so freezing! but the macaroons were very tasty.

Andrew treated us to a romantic lunch in the Eiffel Tower. The French really know how to make chocolate mousse. it was amazing!  

Sunday was really great because we got to go to a French ward by our hotel and meet lots of members there, however we DO NOT speak French at all but that was okay. They were happy to have us visiting. There was actually a Ukrainian family there and so we got to talk with them in Russian. 

After church we went to the Louvre and what a blessing! Apparently the first Sunday of every month is free admission! We got there about an hour and half before the museum closed and seriously we could have spent ALL day there. It is HUGE and so fascinating.  We visited the Egyptian, Roman, Persian, Babylonian expositions and then ran over to the Italian paintings to see the Mona Lisa. Some people say it really isn't worth it to go to the Louvre and that seeing the Mona Lisa is a let down but we will tell you--IT IS SO WORTH IT. And the Mona Lisa really was amazing to see in person. Yes, you have to stand way back, but we still thought it was awesome. 

The Louvre

The Mona Lisa

Trying to navigate the Louvre...huge huge huge...

Unfortunately, before going to France I had this predetermined opinion probably from media and movies and such that the French people were rude and hard but I didn't see that at all. Everyone was really very kind and my heart was softened to them.

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to see Paris with my sweet husband Drew. It was truly a sweet, romantic, and exciting adventure.