Bonne Annee (Happy New Year) from our ICE train (high speed train) to Paris on the morning of NYE 2012-2013. Ryan and I continued to maximize his minimal work schedule over winter break and headed for Paris. Every girl dreams of going there, at least many that I know of, so to go with Ryan was that much more special.
We booked a room at the CNA which is the French Officer's Club through their Army. Ryan stayed there when he was a little boy so it was like taking a step back in history for me. It is a simple hotel, the rooms aren't super fussy, but it was centrally located and right off the metro stop. Check out our view of the Eiffel Tower from our window.
While experiencing this vacation, I reflected about the type of traveler I have become. Once a list maker, itinerary follower...I am now a fly by the seat of your pants and just go with it girl. I guess I was so happy to just be in the city and absorb the energy of the culture that I didn't feel like I had to be here or there. Ryan and I remained flexible to all things to see and do...a lot just fell into our lap!
Les Invalides. It was a huge piece of property. The golden dome is where Napoleon was laid to rest. I hear that it is very immaculate inside.
Ryan at the gate of Les Invalides.
After an early arrival and lugging our bags through the Paris Metro (which was FABULOUS) we decided to rest up for the late night ahead of us. We strolled to Les Invalides which is the Army/Military museum and home to Napoleon Bonapartes burial chamber. Although we did not go or return to visit it as we had planned (maybe in the spring), it was still a beautiful landscape. One thing I have heard about the French, is that they take great pride in the cemetaries/memorials of all soldiers from WWI and WWII wars.
After walking around there, we strolled down toward the Seine and found ourselves near the Grand Palace and the Louvre. It was so beautiful to see the Eiffel tower lit up and the holiday season still in full swing with small Christmas Markets dotting the streets.
Miniature Arc de Triomphe near Louvre. Half the size of the later built one
I can just imagine Tom Hanks running through this area...
Ponte Alexandre III Bridge
Happy New Year!!!
Ryan and I had every intention of staying up till midnight and ringing in the new year...but we ended up back in our hotel room after walking around for about 4-5 hours. We were beat tired and perfectly happy popping open a bottle of bubbly in the room. I woke at midnight to hear fireworks and looked on to see the Eiffel Tower lit up like a giant Sparkler. Dayna told me how beautiful it was and she couldn't have been more right. I got a little choked up watching it.
The next morning and took off for a walk while Ryan watched recaps of football. I found a Parisian version of Harrods or as I call it MECCA. Haussmann blvd was amazing for window shopping. The below are videos and pictures of some of their displays which were UNREAL! The videos are not wanting to cooperate at this time but I will try again later :(
Christian Dior sponsored the window decorations from the elaborate Couture outfits to the motorized puppet dolls that ice skated and danced.
Galleris Lafayette....dangerous!!!!!! Any designer, item you could imagine...they had.
Some creepy french guy brought his rat out shopping with him and then posed him for photos...
Saint Augustin church...just next to our hotel...so pretty.
CNA, French Officers Club...highly recommend staying there is you are in Paris and are military sponsored.
Sacre Coeur which is symbolic in being sacred heart of Jesus Christ. It is located in Montmarte which stands for Mountain of Martyr's which makes sense considering how many saints are laid to rest with it's walls. It was breathtaking.
Lido Cabaret. Ryan spoiled me with a cabaret and dinner show off the Champs Elysees. It was all things glamorous with classy showgirls, ice skating pairs, elephants, horses and a pyramid. It was fantastic.
Champs Elysees via the Arc de Triomphe. I got my second wind and as Ryan said "high on Paris" at this point. It was around midnight-1 am and I was wide awake and ready to to see more sights.
Diamonds are a girls best friend.
Oh so famous Avenue in Paris...by far the best people watching
Qatari consulate on the end of the Champs Elysees sitting on the edge of the Arc de Tromphe. I find it ironic that they had such good real estate RIGHT there in the center of everything...hmpf!
Qatari consulate
Need I say more....I got tears in my eyes when I saw it...so beautiful and grand.
I followed suite from my mom and dodge 5 lanes of traffic to get to the center since the tunnel was locked for the night.
Tomb of unknown soldiers from WWI
Beautiful details inside. Iy was engraved with cities the Napoleon conquered.
Champs Elysees from the Arc.
Eiffel Tower at midnight all sparkly.
Peugeot store
It had a line wrapped around the corner...we didn't go in because I was afraid I would have to walk out with something.
Famous restaurant the French Fighter would go and have drinks at to celebrate their victories post war. It was super fancy...but observe below...
They had the BEST french onion soup I have ever had...
Inverted pyramid at the Louvre...it was the central area to the whole museum
I could feel that we were close to the room that she was in...I started shaking...so very neat to see her up close.
Napolean's coronation ceremony. I had just been reading up on him before this trip and remember coming across this image.
Augustus Ceasar
Jupiter and Venus
Ceiling of the Greek Artifacts room...well actually one of the rooms
Venus de Milo
info on her below
Sphynx
Old portion of the Louvre
Cliche but a must
This area was packed with people and the lines were insane...
Joan of Arc
Paris was such a sight to see. We spent fast and furious time seeing the museum sights and what have you...but more importantly, Ryan and I got to immerse ourselves in the culture and vibe of the people. We spent an evening at dinner talking with a waiter who was well versed in politics and what not of Paris. He was so friendly and informative. We rarely encountered rude people...if anything it was the tourists that were "rude."
I most likely will come back to Paris in the spring to see Les Invalides and Versailles. It was such an easy trip to get to and fro from Germany. The metro, hotel and area was a piece of cake to navigate. There were many things I may have missed, but I am still happy to have gone there with Ryan and had some special time alone without the chaos of life bitting at our heals.
