2.2 City with a view

After a fantastic nights sleep, we woke up nice and early ready to start the day. Unfortunately in the city that never sleeps, 10am is the acceptable opening time.

Mark started the day with a 6km run to the Eiffel Tower and back and the kids and I relaxed at Hotel George Sands.

Our breakfast was hot chocolates and patisseries from Paul and it was a sign of a good day to come. 

 

 

With full bellies, we walked down to the Tuileries. The Gardens were beautiful and we sat by the pond soaking in the Parisian way. 

 

We have loved just walking the streets of Paris, enjoying all the buildings. 

 

The roads are pretty trechorous and you often hold your breath to cross. We find ourselves running the crossings when there is a "green man." The Place de la Concorde was a pretty scary crossing.

 

Our next stop was the Arc de Triumph. We learnt our lesson from 2 years ago and Mark prebought our tickets. So no queue and we walked straight in.. well straight to the security guards who are everywhere.

The view from the top was superb! 

 

 Ed was keen for more merchandise, so he dragged Mark to the Eiffel Tower and the girls and I window shopped on the Champs Elyesse.

 

Security is tight and in every shop your bag is checked.. even Macdonalds.

 

   

After a quick siesta, we were back on the streets of Paris to meet up with the Mitchell's to see the Catacombs.

We were rushing a little, so ran to get on the Metro. Holly was 1m ahead of us and jumped on the train and then the doors closed. Leaving her on the train and us on the platform. There was a moment when you could see the sheer terror on her face. Mark gestured "2

Stops" and the train with Holly in it rolled away.  Luckily our train was close behind. Two stops later we picked up one brave lonely girl standing on the platform.  

We meet up with the Mitchell's, but the queue for the Catacombs was too long (and it was drizzling) so we opted for some french cuisine.  Beautiful cheeses and cold meats. It helps to eat out with people who speak french!

Tegan ordered snails. Kate and Calvin braved them and Kate even came back for seconds.

 

 

We got back on the RER and the kids enjoyed having some younger company. I think everyone on the train thought we were "loud Americans"