Springtime in Paris

Back to my first day-we went to the Eiffel Tower which is just really spectacular.  It was really tall (imagine that) and being March, the lines for the elevators to the top were not horribly long. The view from the top is worth it because you can see in every single direction the entire city. The one negative is because it is so high, a lot of the monuments are really tiny and far away and you almost need binoculars to see details.

 The next day started out with a trip to Musee D’Orsay which used to be an old train station that was turned into a museum. It is just the prettiest place ever with open space down the middle and the artwork in rooms off to the side.  Next a walk along the Seine River to Notre Dame Cathedral. 

The walk actually ended up being much longer than anticipated and I would not suggest it.  I did break it up with a stop in the Latin quarter for some famous crepes. I got plain sugar crepes and they were fine but not my favorite. I have heard great things about the nutella crepe (nutella is a chocolate spread) and planned to try it later but never got the chance.  The Notre Dame Cathedral is quite dark and gothic inside but with impressive architecture and stained glass.   There was a mass in service as tourists milled around the outside aisles of the church.  I did not pay to go up high and get a close-up of the gargoyles though so maybe on the next visit. 

 I ended the day with a trip to Montmarte and a climb up the many, many steps to Sacre Coeur where the view of the city is just breathtaking.  Montmartre is a hill which is 130 metres high, and also the name of the surrounding district, in the north of Paris in the 18th arrondissement.  Highly recommended.  The night was topped off with dinner in the Latin quarter.  In many places, they have set diner menus (in addition to the a la carte menu) so for €16 we were able to get a really excellent 3 course meal with beef bourguignon to die for, wine was extra.