Bonjour from Paris!

Bonjour!  

When we left Frankfurt this morning (long before the sparrows), - had to be at the airport by 5.45am - it was raining and the forecast for Paris was pretty much the same. We didn't have high hopes for good weather, but decided to make the most of our 3 days in Paris regardless of the weather.  However, upon arrival in Paris, despite the sun still not having risen at 8.15, it was not raining!  Yay!  Once in the cab, it became clearer to us that the weather was clearing to reveal a magnificent day!  

Feel like a broken record, but we really hit the jackpot again today with the weather!  (Hope I don't jinx us). Our room obviously wasn't ready when we arrived at the hotel, so we stored our bag and set off. Emily was so excited when she caught her first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower from the cab, so I couldn't wait to see her reaction when we were standing right in front of the gigantic steel structure. 

First thing we stood in front if though was the arc de triomphe. Our hotel is only 5-8min walk from it, and runs pretty much parallel to the champs élysées, just 2 or 3 streets back.  Scored big time with my choice of accommodation this time!  

Em jumping in front of Arc de Triomphe

Me

Under/in Arc de Triomphe

The arc de triomphe looked beautiful as the sun rose on it.  After buying some post cards (Emily's souvenir of choice), we managed to find out about a hop on hop off bus.  It ended up being a different company to the one I had seen on the internet and assumed we use. But, again as it turns out this new one was much better than the first one. The first one I found on the net has only 10 stops, whereas the new company has 50 stops on 4 different routes that cover pretty much all of Paris!  

At the arc de triomphe - eternal flame and behind is Champs Élysées 

Our bus

First close up glimpse of Eiffel Tower

Emily

Me

Pretty building (we saw so many sites yesterday, I can't remember what is what. Except the famous ones!)

Egyptian oblique and big wheel 

Emily in front of the Louvre

In the park/gardens between Louvre and Champs élysées 

Same as above

Notre Dame (no scaffolding this time Ken!)

It really was beautiful

Emily loved it. Line up to go in was soooooo long! 

Typical Parisian street. Love the facades. 

I spent the whole day being thankful for the beautiful weather - makes for much nicer photos!  Mind you, it gets quite chilly sitting in an open topped bus in 10degree temperatures!  By 5pm, we were almost frozen to the bone, so we headed back to our hotel to check in. 

Our room is gorgeous, spacious and best of all, we have normal pillows!!!  I get a king size bed to myself, while Em has opted not to share with me and go for the single bed. And our bathroom has plenty of room to swing a couple of cats!  Unlike Munich, where you almost needed to stand on the toilet to dry yourself once you got out of the shower!  

Anyway, dinner....the hotel concierge recommended a cafe just around the corner from us, and it didn't disappoint. We had chicken breast with linguine, which was delicious, and followed it by dessert. Yes, I had dessert!  And it was bloody beautiful!  Em had a salted caramel parfait with ice cream and I had a soft centered choc cake with ice cream.  Haven't had anything so delicious for so long. 

It is now 9.10pm and we are about to leave to go on a city lights tour. Going past all the sites including the moulin rouge!  Excited to see that place. 

Best go and rug up. 

Till later!

Au revoir! xxoo