This is Grandma, Poppa and Uncle Joe's first trip to Paris so after Christmas we bought tickets for a hop on hop off bus and set out. We used the L'Open Tour bus, we boarded near the Opera. Traveling around the city is more challenging than you might think with 5 adults, 3 kiddos and an infant. It was a chilly day so we were all bundled up too. Our first place that we got off the bus was Notre Dame. Malachi was happy to be able to see everyone.
The Hilton Men in front of Notre Dame's beautiful stained glass.
Grandma and Poppa with three out of the four.
Uncle Joe and Notre Dame. It was a chilly day, but the sun was shining!
From Notre Dame we rode around the city and made our way to the Champs Elysees. We ate lunch at Pizza di Roma, we have eaten there a couple of times and we have been really impressed both times with our meal. They have a table upstairs that will accommodate our large group size. We usually try and to go to lunch around 12, before the rest of the crowds hit the restaurant. If you ever get there the Mama Rosa pizza is a little different, but very tasty. We were able to order 3 pizzas and feed the 8 of us.
The Arc is such a neat sight.
The sidewalks were starting to fill up in the afternoon, but we were still able to get some fun pictures.
What, a picture of just Jon and I?
After taking pictures in front we made our way up to the top of the Arc. We had the double stroller for the big boys and a stroller for Malachi, but Paris is not a very stroller friendly city. Thankfully we had plenty of strong arms to carry strollers and boys up and down stairs. When we got to the base of the Arc we were directed to an elevator, it is reserved only for people with strollers and wheel chairs. The elevator was a tight squeeze for all of us, but we were so thankful for it. The elevator let off right at the gift shop and there was just one more flight of stairs to the very top. Grandma waited with the strollers while the rest of us went up.
The views at the top were so much fun.
That is Malachi hiding under the blanket, I found out he does NOT like wind at all.
Jon went down and relieved Grandma of stroller duty and she was brave enough to make it to the top.
From the Arc we got to cross a couple of very busy roads, and then we made a run for our L'Open Tour bus and enjoyed a sunset ride around the city.
The next day we picked up where we left off and started at the Eiffel Tower. It was kind of a yucky morning, misting rain and cloudy skies.
Joe was dressed to stay warm, but we were worried that security at the Eiffel Tower would be nervous about his covered face so this look didn't last long.
Addie and I stopped for a quick picture.
Poppa, Uncle Joe and Addie.
And then crazy Daddy jumping in the background.
After the Eiffel Tower we made our way through Les Invalides and Napoleon's Tomb. We could have spent a lot more time there, but soon enough it was lunch time. We have eaten at the cafeteria that is on the grounds of Les Invalides two times now and we have been pleased both times. We were hoping to catch another L'Open Tour bus at this point, but after waiting for 20 minutes the bus that came by was full. The next bus wasn't scheduled to come for another 30 minutes so we decided to just walk back to our car and drive to our next destination, the Champs Elysees Christmas Market.
Addie's little fit here was after getting to ride a pony we didn't let her jump on the trampoline. She had to sit and wait while her brothers got to have their turn and she was not happy.
This little guy was excited about his turn.
Ben kept yelling "I am having so much fu!"
I had fun snapping pictures of the boys as they bounced and had fun.
Look at that grin.
Garret was so little one of the workers kept pulling him down and bouncing him and then he would giggle.
Addie forgave me after she got to pick her special treat for the afternoon, cotton candy as big as her head! She did share this with Garrett, but the size had been diminished after we got caught in some sprinkles.
The kids had earned some fun time after trekking all over the city for 2 days. I never get tired of visiting this amazing city, and I hope that the kids have fond memories of this special time.
