Day 34, July 2, 2109 Paris, France 🇫🇷

We woke up on the plane and landed in Paris at 8am. Thankfully we all slept well on the red-eye flight. We took the metro and then walked to our hotel which was the Hotel Du Louvre. The Hotel was built in 1850 and is in the Hyatt Family now. They upgraded us to a suite that overlooked the Louvre. The hotel has been under a complete renovation for the last two years and just opened two weeks ago. Brad’s step-dad, Marv took us to eat at the Cafe’ in the hotel about 15 years ago.

There had been record heat in Paris in the weeks ahead but to our delight we found it to be the most glorious day with highs in the 70s and a lovely breeze. Kenya has its big 5: giraffes, leopards, cape buffalo, rhinos, and elephants. We decided Paris has a big 5 as well: the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame cathedral, Musee D’Orseey, L’arch D’Triumph, and the River Seine. We were set to accomplish all five in one day! By the end of the day we had walked eleven miles and climbed 44 flights of stairs! In order to accomplish this we needed fuel! So we went to a delightful shop and let the kids each pick out something. I picked a artichoke quiche. Wow, was it delicious!  It was fun for Brad and I to reminisce about our first trip to Paris eighteen years ago when we were pregnant with Max and so broke.  

Our first stop was Notre Dame. It is under major reconstruction! There are high walls all around it and big pieces of wood covering the famous stained glass rose window. So glad it is all being repaired. It sounds like it will be finished in five years.

We rented scooters to get to the Eiffel Tower. The kids were ecstatic and I was terrified. I held onto Brad for dear life as we crossed the River Seine and arrived at the Eiffel Tower. 

We didn’t have to wait in line too long and then we rode the elevator to the restaurant and had a delicious lunch in the Eiffel Tower! This was a real treat because normally we have to get reservations months in advance to eat at the Eiffel Tower, but we figured out a way around that primarily through Walt Disney’s philosophy “Just keep moving forward.” Eating in the Eiffel Tower brought back great memories of being their with Brad’s mom and Marv. We miss Marv. 

Next we boarded a riverboat and took a guided tour of the River Seine and it was absolutely beautiful.

We trekked over to the Museum D’Orsay and even though it was opened, they stopped letting anyone in. I guess it was too crowded. No bother, we just sat by the Seine and had fresh crepes with Nutella. Ok the kids did while brad and I had Diet Coke and water:)

We hopped on the metro to the Arch D’ Triumph. I had no idea you could actually go inside it! Turns out you can go inside it, climb a spiral staircase that leads to the center where there is a museum, gift shop, and staircase to the very top outdoors where you can see stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and most of Paris! We took the stairs down the other side of the arch and saw the eternal flame dedicated to the unknown soldiers. We did a little shopping on our way back to the hotel and then Brad and I headed out just the two of us to find the small hotel we stayed at in 2001 when we went to Paris with my Dad and Mom. 

Paris was still really light outside at 10 o’clock at night!  We bought some cheese and nuts and went back to the hotel. The hotel took great care of us, even giving the kids candy and stuffed animals and Brad and I a bottle of Red wine. We fell asleep in awe of the gorgeous day God had given us, an unexpected treat!

“What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me?” Psalm 116:12
That’s how I feel about this whole trip! Jesus has been with us the whole way and it’s been so good.