The Hodgkinsons Ben, Kristy, Eliza & Reese: Paris Day 3

We knew we wanted to catch up on some sleep but apparently we needed it more than we thought. Ben woke up around 10 and decided to wake me up around 12. I could not believe I slept so long. I was mad at myself for wasting half of a day in Paris! It ended up being a great day. We knew the Louvre was going to take a few hours, or more, so we decided to use the rest of the day there. The Louvre is amazing. Such beautiful architecture and of course priceless art. I took lots of pictures then decided I should just buy a book. After the Louvre we walked around and I finally saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time! It was perfect. We walked around the gardens and the Palais-Royal that is across from the Louvre. We went back to our hotel to change and walked back to the Siene River to go on a riverboat cruise. On our way we saw the Flame of Liberty Memorial. This is what is says on the sign: "The Flame of Liberty. An exact replica of the Statue of Liberty's flame offered to the people of France by donors throughout the world as a symbol of the Franco-American friendship. On the occasion of the centennial of the International Herald Tribune. Paris 1887–1987." The Flame of Liberty became an unofficial memorial for Princess Diana after her death in 1997. The car accident that killed her was in the tunnel beneath the Pont de l'Alma where the flame is. We could have not chosen a better time to go on the river boat. As we sailed down the river the sun was setting which cast the most beautiful golden hue on everything we saw. We got to see Pont Neuf. The Pont Neuf, “New Bridge”, is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine. The name Pont Neuf was given to distinguish it from older bridges. It has been a historical monument since 1889, so not so new anymore! There are 37 bridges across the Siene but this is the most historic. On the way back up the river we saw that the lights were on the Eiffel Tower. It was such a magical sight I almost cried. After walking around the Eiffel Tower we stopped at a little café to eat dinner. It was magical and romantic. After dinner we walked back go our hotel and somehow magically got to change rooms to a room with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

-->

We got some breakfast at this little place in the Metro station. I thought this cookie bar idea was so fun. I had a parfait and Ben had quiche lorraine. The parfait was good but the quiche was the best either of us had ever had!