Paris with Pops!

Following a busy weekend of exploring Belgium, Dad, Jayne and I got up early Monday morning and took the high speed train to Paris!  Jason agreed to hold down the fort for the first two days of the week, work and manage the children's schedule so the three of us could spend some quality time in the City of Lights! 

We left Brussels Midi station at 9:10 am; one hour and twenty minutes later we arrived in Paris.  We had a bit of a rough start on the metro due to some problems further down the line, but we rolled with it, made adjustments and emerged just beside the Ile de la Cite only a few steps from our first destination - Notre Dame!



 I was a bit nervous navigating Paris without Jason, as he is usually our guide when we travel as a family.  However, we managed pretty well and by the end of the two days, Dad was pointing our way in the metro tunnels.

Dad and Jayne crossing the Seine for the first time.

Our first stop was Notre Dame Cathedral.  We enjoyed touring around the inside and then headed to grab a sandwich for lunch.

We were refreshed and ready for an afternoon of sightseeing and souvenir shopping.  Dad and Jayne found some things to take back to NC and I found some old french books to use for an art project at Jenna's birthday party.

We checked into our hotel early afternoon and stopped in the room for a quick coffee break.  The hotel was located in St. Germain, which is one of our favorite areas of the city.  Feeling energized after our quick break, we hopped onto a boat cruise down the Seine to get a view of the city's top sites. 

The boat cruise dropped us off near Notre Dame, so we decided to cross the Seine and take a look at the Louvre and Champs Elysees. By the time we arrived, it was too late to tour the museum, but we enjoyed the view of the courtyard, pyramids and Tuilleries Gardens.

Dad and Jayne posing at the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Truimph in the background. 

I think we walked four miles our first day in Paris, but we saw a lot!  We definitely worked up an apetite and were happy to try an authentic French meal in the artsy St. Germain district of Paris. 

Tuesday morning, we were up bright and early to make the ascent to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  Thankfully, we arrived at least 45 minutes before the Tower opened and we were at the front of this ridiculous line!

Tourist season in Paris is in full swing.  This is our elevator ride to the first level of the Tower!  Again, this was one of the first rides of the day. 

Just a small part of Paris from the top of the tower.

Dad and me at the top of the Eiffel Tower!  I always hoped we would be able to travel together one day.  It was a very special time to share with him.

By 11:00 am, we finished our tour of the Tower and headed to Les Invalides.  That is the church where Napoleon is entombed.

Montmartre, Paris

One of the highlights of our trip, was spending time with my cousin who is one of only three of my Dad's nephews.  Jon has lived in Paris for just a bit longer than our family has been in Belgium.  My father only had one brother, and my mom was an only child, so our extended family is pretty small.  We've always been a bit spread out geographically, and with work and family schedules it is always difficult to work out family reunions. 

My cousin, Jon, and I are only a few months apart and we always got along well.  It was a joy to reconnect with him in Paris and see how his adjustment to European life has gone. 

We enjoyed a coffee break and great conversation at La Maison Rose. 

Our time in the Montmartre district of Paris was the perfect ending to our two day trip.  Jon showed us beautiful, off-the-beaten-path parts of the city and reconnecting with family is always a blessing.  I am thankful to Jason and all my friends who helped make this time with my Dad and Jayne possible!  It is a trip I will treasure in my heart always.