Springtime in Paris

Granny arrived to our place in Oslo on Wednesday, then we flew to Paris early Saturday morning. Her head is probably still spinning from the trip, but we all had a wonderful time!

We landed, ate lunch, checked in to our hotel and then headed straight for the Louvre Museum. It is the largest and most visited museum in the world and houses the Mona Lisa (pictured with me) and Venus de Milo among other sculptures, paintings, and antiquities. After soaking up a little culture, we headed to a nearby cafe for some French specialties like omelettes, quiche, and croque madame, and finished off the meal with some yummy crepes.

Sunday morning was devoted to the Musée de l'Armée. We visited Napoleon's tomb, which was suprisingly interesting and educational, and then the World War I and II Museum. Zach had not been feeling very well and unfortunately left his own little exhibit on the floor there.

So I nursed him back to health at the hotel while Granny and Kelly went to Sunday evening mass at Notre Dame. The service was in French and we are not Catholic, so I'm sure it was a bit hard to follow, but the building was gorgeous and they said they enjoyed it nonetheless.

On Monday morning we toured Paris via double-decker bus, snapping tons of pictures all along the way. We enjoyed every minute of the 2-hour ride scenic drive around the city before stopping at the Arc de Triomphe for some lunch and shopping along Champs-Élysées.

We hopped back on and rode to the Eiffel Tower for more sightseeing. The line was long, but Zach killed time chasing pigeons and the incredible views from the top were worth the wait.

We made one more stop at Notre Dame (so I could see it up close), did some more shopping, and then headed home for the evening.

For our final day in Paris, we took the train to Versailles to visit the ridiculously ornate royal palace and former home of Marie Antoinette. Every inch is covered in marble, gold, feathers, murals, or some other expensive or absurd embellishment. Way too much of a good thing if you ask me.

After that it was a rush back to the hotel and then on to the airport for our evening flight. It was an exciting and exhausting trip!

My impression of Mona Lisa's smile

Zach, obviously totally impressed by all the stuff at the Louvre

Cheers with Granny at a Cafe

Granny and Kelly on the Tour Bus

Chasing pigeons at the Eiffel Tower

Dancing like a wild man at Versailles

Granny and her boy