Euro Trip Part 2 - Paris

Thursday morning we left the house bright and early. Our GPS took us a different route to Paris this time (which ended up being perfect). It was faster, involved way fewer tolls (which saved us money), and involved lots of countryside driving. I loved it! The drive to Paris is usually about 4.5 hours and we didn't hit any traffic. We only had to stop a few times for snacks, potty breaks, or changing drivers.

I mean chocolate crepes?! Yes please!
A car snack win.

Katie and I enjoyed the backseat while Rob drove and Usher road shotgun for a bit.

Once we arrived in Paris we had to drive around a bit and hunt for a parking garage - a least favorite thing of mine to do when arriving in new cities. We'd drive to one, see that it was full or non-existent, and try to find another. Finally we found one that was just a few minutes walk from our hotel. Luckily it wasn't too expensive so that was a bonus as well. 

Once we parked we headed over to our hotel to check in and drop off our bags. The hotel was awesome and perfect! It was very close to the Louvre too. The map below shows our hotel (marked with the red marker in the top left) and the Louvre is starred down at the bottom. 

It had a bedroom in the back, a foldout sofa in the front, a bathroom by the front door, and the kitchen/dining area was in the middle. The wooden beams dividing the front room and the kitchen were really neat.

After the bag drop off and a quick potty break we headed out. First stop: the Louvre. The line to get inside was INSANE so no, we were NOT about that life.

They boycotted the photo and super frowned.

I know... I'm a nerdy tourist.

little puzzle 3D Louvre

This archway led into the gardens across from the Louvre.

Next we walked to the Notre Dame - had to pit stop for some crepes though! 

such a beautiful photo op! Loved this fountain.

& the building behind it!

Katie's first crepe! Yummy!!

So adorable. Dogs are the best companions.

Now Notre Dame photos - some are Josh's photos as his phone is way awesome and took great photos inside the dark church :)

Josh snagged this one - a super pretty shot of the
outside of the church as a whole.

Tourists. We rocked it.

Josh snagged the next three. Such beauties to show the interior of the church, including the organ.

I always think the prayer candles in churches look so beautiful.
Such a minor detail with so much love and thought behind each one.

There was a timeline exhibit, if you will, that explained
the design and building process of the church.

Josh got these two too. His phone made the windows really come out well. The stained glass in itself is amazing to see.

The small models of the exterior are always very interesting to see too. The buildings are so big you can't really see or appreciate everything from a normal point of view so I love being able to see these replicas. 

Next we went into the cathedral's treasury. I also learned while in here that my phone had an HDR setting - meaning awesome photo capabilities. Love when I learn new things :)

Then after we left and crossed the bridge I was able to get a photo of Katie and I in front of the cathedral. Such a beautiful piece of architecture. 

Our next stop was some to find some food. We hadn't eaten much except our car snacks and, with it being 430pm, hunger was striking. 

For our food & drink break we went to Le Dante.

that adorable chilly water bottle though*

"love those guys!"
If you've never tried Desperados- you should.

Rob's super yummy ham and cheese sandwich; Gourmet status.

Katie had some french onion soup.

Josh and I twinned out and had creme brulee. 

Next stop - we were headed to the subway to go to see the Sacre Coeur and the Moulin Rouge. At every turn on our walk to the subway we saw more amazing restaurants. You wonder why you didn't stop there for food but then have to remember the place you went to was awesome too - they're just everywhere.

First stop - Sacre Coeur. When we went inside they were finishing up mass.

All those stairs we had to go up though. Lordy.

The view of the city was impeccable from here.

Josh got this one - its the amazing ceiling in the Sacre Coeur.
You weren't allowed to take photos but he stealthily got this one!

These fountains are outside the church as you go down the stairs from the top tier.

After we left, we stopped for a potty break. And then vino. Katie and I snagged two bottles of wine and an opener and the guys each got a big Desperado each. No idea what kind of wine we bought but I do know that the opener was complete CRAP. The opener broke - and by broke I mean the metal corkscrew just snapped off while in the cork - while we tried to open the first bottle so we went extra ghetto and had to push the cork in. Classy we know. At least we had wine for our trek over to the Moulin Rouge.

Then, as we arrived outside the Moulin Rouge it began to rain a bit :( We decided to camp out in the middle of the streets on a bench to wait for it to pass. No not in traffic. There is a walking path with trees and benches and all that jazz - we stopped there. Not literally in the road, just FYI. Here we chilled a bit, waited for the rain to dissipate and enjoyed our vinos.

Next up was taking the subway over to the Arc de Triomphe.

These chairs were super slidey, so they said, as they all slid.

Josh got clever with the photos he took of Katie and I at the Arc de Triomphe; but they're cute ;)

We wanted to cross under and go under it but you had to pay just to get over there. We said nope to that. But, at this point we were doing awesome with all the monuments. I mean in a matter of hours? We were getting stuff done! Lastly - the Eiffel Tower.

With it raining we decided to stop in at a restaurant for a drink BUT upon seeing the prices, we turned and left. Cause we're classy like that and 12 euro for a glass of wine is crazy.

Instead, we drank wine street-side with the umbrella Rob just bought as cover. Some guy was walking around selling them and without having a hood - Rob had to get one :) which then proceeded to break within the hour. He opened it when we were on the lawn at the Eiffel Tower and the umbrella top just flung off. Super high quality umbrella right here.

-Because this kinda helps illustrate just how large the
Eiffel Tower really is.

Then once under the Eiffel Tower guess what we found - champagne sales guys. We negotiated prices and pretty much hung out around the Eiffel Tower for about 2 hours drinking champs. Literally think we paid under 5 euro per bottle. Not the 20 they originally asked for. No sir.

Looking up from the center

Katie and her dolly she was getting pictures with!

Don't mind my shopping bag - I snagged some
wall art, a magnet, and a shot glass
awhile ago when we were by the Notre Dame.

Sparkly Tower - It shines every hour.

So. Much. Champs. 

Then, after all the champs, and now that it was about 11pm, we all wanted real dinner and to head back over towards our hotel. Subway for the win again (wish we had more of these in Cincinnati). 

Once we got off at our stop we saw this pretty gem - awesome buildings everywhere ya go.

For our super late dinner I ordered the best Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwich I'd ever had (even though I haven't had lots of them). It was sooo delicious. 

After dinner- next up was bedtime. An epic day in Paris that was jammed packed! Best way to start our travels.

The next morning Katie felt rough. Super rough. Poor Katie :( At least we all manged to get showered, packed, and checked out of the hotel.

Since our car was close by we dropped off our stuff before stopping for breakfast, getting our souvenirs, and some macaroons (because what Paris trip is complete without them!?).

My morning pick me up - Earl Grey.

Along with my AWESOME breakfast sammich. Oh deliciousness.

After breakfast Katie needed to get some souvenirs so we walked to find a store nearby. I didn't buy any of these funny gems but - I had to get a photo to share. #comedy

Lastly - awesome chocolate and gourmet macaroons. Josh got some chocolate here for some friends too.

They had a chocolate waterfall. Just saying.

Rob and I split a variety box of six of them :) :) and each got a chocolate orange slice!

The chocolate orange slices.

Our macaroons came in an adorable bag and box.

Here are the three prints I got -

Now that we were back in the car it was time for navigating to Amsterdam. For more continue on to the next blog post "Euro Trip Part 3 - Amsterdam".