We discover that our Behind the Scenes Eiffel Tower tour is cancelled (and can’t be rescheduled) because Trump and Macron will be there. (If you saw the picture of them eating dinner in the Eiffel Tower, know that it was at the hour we were supposed to be there!)
We eat lunch at Pirouette and bunny-lover Julia is not at all happy to see that rabbit is on
the menu. On the way there we see actual mimes performing in front of Pompidou
Center. The night before, Mark’s mom asked if we’d seen any mimes and I foolishly
scoffed at the idea.
the menu. On the way there we see actual mimes performing in front of Pompidou
Center. The night before, Mark’s mom asked if we’d seen any mimes and I foolishly
scoffed at the idea.
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| Julia wanted to hug me and never let go. Please tell me they'll always be like this. |
We spend our day on the two islands in the middle of the Seine: Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint-Louis. We begin at Sainte Chapelle, a 13th century church with one after another after another of amazing floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows. It’s definitely the underappreciated gem of Ile de la Cite compared to the other more famous church.
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| Sainte Chappelle |
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| James is awed by Sainte Chappelle. |
Next we arrive at Notre Dame (that would be the other more famous church) to find a long line snaking through the courtyard. We’re told it moves fast but it seems to be at a standstill. We hear that Melania is inside with Macron’s wife (I can’t shake a stick in Paris without hitting a Trump. Watch out, Eric, you’re next.) so we opt to return later.
We walk to Ile Saint-Louis to relax inside Berthilion with some of their famous ice cream and
Parisian hot chocolate. When we return to Notre Dame the line isn’t that bad, and we notice
that the gaggle of Americans behind us in tube dresses are not allowed inside. Notre Dame:
Slut shaming since 1345. The kids are really disappointed because we planned to climb the
tower but they closed that area off early. Thanks, Melania!
Parisian hot chocolate. When we return to Notre Dame the line isn’t that bad, and we notice
that the gaggle of Americans behind us in tube dresses are not allowed inside. Notre Dame:
Slut shaming since 1345. The kids are really disappointed because we planned to climb the
tower but they closed that area off early. Thanks, Melania!
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| James drinks his second hot chocolate of the trip at Berthilion. |
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| Julia climbs the gate of Notre Dame. |
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| Julia shows James some sisterly love at Notre Dame. |
We cap off our day with an encore of Breton-style crepes at Chez Imogene near our apartment. I realize when we get home from the trip that eating dinner each night in our neighborhood away from the center of things might not have been the best plan. We never really experienced Paris as “The City of Lights.”
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| Julia pretends to eat a macaron magnet. |
James’s favorite: ice cream
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