Versailles

It was a very cold day for us to visit Versailles. The palace was incredible especially the Hall of Mirrors. I hope we get the chance to see the copy that mad King Ludwig of Bavaria did in one of his many castles on our way back through Germany.

It turns out that some days you do not have to get up to go to work. King Louis IV started his day by holding court in his bed chamber.
Chambre_du_Roi
King_s_Bedchamber_and_Private_Apartments

Eiffel Tower at Night

We climbed to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to see the light show on the Eiffel Tower.

 Some very cold, yet happy kids.

The view down the Champs Elysee. As it is known for its' expensive shops, we went into a Louis Vuitton handbag store and saw several $1000 handbags.

The long spiral staircase was a lot easier going back down.

Conciergerie

The Conciergerie was the old palace of the French kings before Versailles. Later it was a prison for the likes of Marie Antoinette before she "headed" off to the guillotine.











"Where's Guy?" "Oh, he's back there reading."

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum has a great deal on audio guides for the kids for only 2 euros. Even our 5 year old was running around punching in the numbers for the exhibits for a couple of hours.

Yes, that's the Mona Lisa in the back ground which at one time was kept at Versailles palace as the pride of the French King Louis XV.

Eiffel Tower

Another lesson for the kids on a worlds fair and Monsieur Eiffel and his tower .

We could even see the Statue of Liberty. This one, however, was the one that the U.S. sent back as a gift to the French. It faces the one in New York.

"Josie, you're tilting the camera!".

New Subway, Old Subway?

Here is the new subway entrance.

This is the old art nouveau subway entrances that I love so much.

Notre Dame Church in B&W

In my teaching mode, I was explaining to the kids how they added flying buttresses (which got them giggling) to the church so that they could add larger windows without weakening the walls.

The weather was close to freezing as we stood in a long lineup, that seemed to last over an hour, with the kids. We climbed the many spiral stairs all the way to the bell tower to get this view of the most photographed gargoyle pondering the city of Paris.

Maybe you've guessed, but I like taking black and white photos. Somehow the subject matter just pops out.

More from Paris

So if a rooster with the tail of a dragon is a Basilisk, then what is this? Click here for more on Basilisk

Paris Left Bank

So typically French and quaint. The little shops and narrow streets gave the area a lot of character.

Cafes and more Church

Not all coffee shops are like this, but some of the popular places have 3 prices. The cheapest is standing at the bar, the next price is for taking a table with the highest price being for having a table outside.

Went into a little church on the left bank that was in need of a restoration. We found out that the first surgery in France was performed here and the King said that since the prisoner survived he was to be set free.

Notre Dame Church

Even though this is my 3rd or 4th time seeing Notre Dame, it still is awe inspiring.

Amazing wood carvings that were used to tell bible stories to those who could not read.

The kids lit a candle for Grandma Jackie who just recently lost her sight in both eyes.

Paris, the Bastille

Our first landmark in Paris was the Bastille which was the former place of the Fortress-Prison which was stormed by the citizens of Paris and led to the French revolution. Needless to say, this was an opportunity for daddy to give a little lesson to the kids.

My son was quite pleased to find his name.

Walking along the street we came across this out of place gas station. Self serve, no store, just on the side of the street.

...and a 2 story merry-go-round for the kids to take a break from walking.

Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana

As we stopped in Ljubljana, Slovakia, for a few hours on our way to Paris, I had to get in some more shots of the Dragon bridge with the castle in the background.

More info on the Dragon Bridge
More info on Ljubljana

Last Day in Rijeka

Saying goodbye to our landlords who were the most warmhearted and wonderful hosts. Every week during our stay our kids looked forward to a traditional dessert that Dolores would bring to our apartment.

Our caring and gracious hosts from the University of Rijeka waving goodbye at the train station.

Paris after the Long Train Ride

It took us 25 long hours to get here but we made it. We were even able to get in a little schooling for the kids and started their French lessons.
The downpour ended before we arrived and we were able to enjoy some sunny weather on our first day here. We were too tired to do much the first day but did a little walking around this working class neighborhood that turned out to be cooler than we expected. The quaint little coffee shops and boulangeries are everywhere. New groceries for us to pick from. We are cooking at home but trying to keep it Parisienne.
Today, we stormed the Bastille and prayed for Grandma Beaudoin in Notre Dame. We  even got a taste of the Left Bank and a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.
I will try to add pics tomorrow.