In case you haven't already seen my multiple Twitter, Instagram and Facebook posts (hard to miss if you follow me, sorry...not sorry), I was in Paris this weekend and had an absolutely amazing time. Obviously I have been dreaming about visiting Paris as far back as I can remember, and my high expectations were met and exceeded. Here's a recap of the sights of Paris we saw (we pretty much hit every main tourist destination in our two and a half days - tiring but so worth it!):
La Tour Eiffel
There's a reason why this is one of the most photographed monuments in the world; it is absolutely breathtaking. I first spotted it on the Metro when first arriving, and I literally shrieked out loud with excitement (and got many glares from Parisians sitting around me). Whenever we were walking around the city, I would crane my neck and look all around to spot the beautiful tower; I couldn't get enough of it. Unfortunately on Saturday when we spent hours at the Eiffel Tower it was cloudy and a bit rainy, so the pictures aren't exactly postcard-worthy, but regardless, I was blown away by this building's beauty.
La Tour Eiffel
There's a reason why this is one of the most photographed monuments in the world; it is absolutely breathtaking. I first spotted it on the Metro when first arriving, and I literally shrieked out loud with excitement (and got many glares from Parisians sitting around me). Whenever we were walking around the city, I would crane my neck and look all around to spot the beautiful tower; I couldn't get enough of it. Unfortunately on Saturday when we spent hours at the Eiffel Tower it was cloudy and a bit rainy, so the pictures aren't exactly postcard-worthy, but regardless, I was blown away by this building's beauty.
The Louvre
All the museums I've been to in the U.S. don't stand a chance against the Louvre in Paris. I have never been a big museum person; unless it's something I have previously studied, I judge the art based on how pretty it is. However, the Louvre was a completely new experience. This is probably due to the fact that one of the other Notre Dame students has a friend in Paris who is a tour guide at the Louvre and gave us an awesome tour (and free tickets), because she told us several stories behind the paintings and sculptures. I left with so much interesting information in my head, and I cannot wait to go back to see even more of the museum - the size is absolutely overwhelming.
All the museums I've been to in the U.S. don't stand a chance against the Louvre in Paris. I have never been a big museum person; unless it's something I have previously studied, I judge the art based on how pretty it is. However, the Louvre was a completely new experience. This is probably due to the fact that one of the other Notre Dame students has a friend in Paris who is a tour guide at the Louvre and gave us an awesome tour (and free tickets), because she told us several stories behind the paintings and sculptures. I left with so much interesting information in my head, and I cannot wait to go back to see even more of the museum - the size is absolutely overwhelming.
L'Arc de Triomphe
The apartment we rented was on a street right off of the Champs-Elysées, so every time we walked outside the first sight was the Arc de Triomphe. It is a lot larger than I expected it to be, and the details along the walls are interesting and extremely intricate. The fact that it's a traffic circle is interesting as well; I appreciate the fact that the city of Paris was built around all of these historical monuments so gracefully. Oh, but the scaffolding did sort of ruined the pictures. At least the sky makes up for it in this one!
The apartment we rented was on a street right off of the Champs-Elysées, so every time we walked outside the first sight was the Arc de Triomphe. It is a lot larger than I expected it to be, and the details along the walls are interesting and extremely intricate. The fact that it's a traffic circle is interesting as well; I appreciate the fact that the city of Paris was built around all of these historical monuments so gracefully. Oh, but the scaffolding did sort of ruined the pictures. At least the sky makes up for it in this one!