Our second day in Paris consisted mainly of our Hop On Hop Off Big Bus tour and the Seine river cruise which were both included with the Paris Pass. After our breakfast of potatoes, toast with marmalade and croissants, we took an Uber from our hotel to the Eiffel Tower where we would be able to catch the bus. Quite honestly it didn’t hurt our feelings to see it again. The tour offers a red line tour which takes you to the museums and sights around the city center and a blue line which goes a more northern route. We chose the red line, donned our little ear buds and off we went. You may get off the bus at any location and get back on another which is nice if you want to get a closer look at any of the museums or sights. At some point in the beginning of our tour we passed Les Invalides, which is formally the National Residence of the Invalids, a hospital and retirement home for war veterans. It houses the military museum of the French Army as well. Napoleon Bonapart and many of his family members have their tomb here.
One of the most impressive buildings was the Palais Garnier opera house.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Garnier. Being tired from yesterday’s adventures, we did not get off the bus (next time we’re touring the inside of this one). Finished in 1875 and built by Charles Garnier, is likely the most famous opera house in the world. In 1910 it was the setting for the Gaston Leroux’s novel The Phantom of the Opera and also the film adaptations and the musical from 1986. I would love to view the inside of this one!
Next we drove around the grounds of the Louvre which was an interesting sight from afar as we only had the close up version the day before. Our huge double decker bus squeezed through one of the small arched openings to my complete surprise. One thing I didn’t know is that the museum was a former royal palace used by the kings of France as their main residence. Before that it was a medieval fortress. And in 1793 it became a public museum with four levels containing paintings representing all periods of European art up to the Revolutions of 1848. Paintings after that date are housed in Musee d’Orsay. The collections of “modern” sculptures opened in 1824.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre_Palace
One of my favorite highlights of this trip was our next stop where we did hop off for an outside tour of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Notre-Dame de Paris means “Our Lady of Paris”. A French Gothic masterpiece begun in 1160 and complete by 1260. Containing important relics such as the Crown of Thorns, a sliver and a nail from the cross. We walked around the property and admired each side and view of the cathedral, but now regret not touring the inside as the fire occurred a week after we left. We feel grateful to have seen the stunning beauty and elegant architecture of this holy spot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_de_Paris
We drove down the famous Avenue des Champs-Elysees next which is the equivalent to California’s Rodeo Drive according to our tour guide. Only 1.2 miles long but so congested it took us about 20 minutes to drive the length. Full of theaters, cafes, luxury stores and also where the Tour de France finishes their race. There are some very famous and spectacular monuments along the way as well. The Grand Palais which houses art exhibitions, science museums and other installations is one of the prettiest buildings saw.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palais.
At the end of the avenue is a huge roundabout containing the Arc de Triomphe meaning Triumphal Arch of the Star. The arch honors those who fought and died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. The names of all of the French victories and generals are carved into the stone on the inner and outer surfaces. And beneath it lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_de_Triomphe.
From here we drove up the hill to our last stop, the Trocadero (named in honor of the Battle of Trocadero in which Isla del Trocadero was captured by French forces) where the Palais de Chaillot is located. This building houses museums such as a naval museum, an ethnology museum and a museum of architecture. It was also the initial headquarters for NATO. From a certain vantage point on the hill there is an absolutely perfect view of the Eiffel tower down below, which was where our entertaining tour concluded.
We headed on foot down to the river to catch our cruise on the Seine. This was a very relaxing way to see the other side of the buildings and also view the magnificent bridges up close and personal. The statues are absolutely incredible. A very romantic day in Paris and I do recommend sitting on the upper deck in the open air. Here are a few of our favorite photos from the river boat tour.
Well, another bucket list city checked off my list. The Paris Pass was a great way to see everything on our list in only 48 hours. Thanks for the tip, Dionne!
https://www.parispass.com. I would gladly return to see more of Paris, definitely the inside of some of the buildings and maybe take in a Moulin Rouge cabaret show. Next time I’d love to see the Palace of Versailles and the Musee d’Orsay. I am still in awe and will continue to be stunned by the architecture and ornate beauty of this wonderful, romantic place. Paris, the city of love. Until next time, I bid you adieu.
