Sarah and Lisa's Visit to Paris

Window open at Notre Dame, just in case you need to
make a quick getaway!

To conclude Sarah's trip to France (and our time with visitors), Sarah and I (Lisa writing here), went to Paris for two days so that Sarah could see the capital.  She climbed the Eiffel tower while I was still in Rennes teaching, and then we went to the Square Saint-Jacques (the only time we got a bit turned around and the only place we weren't allowed to do sit-ups!), Notre-Dame, walked all around the Palais de Justice while seeing if we could get into Sainte-Chapelle (we could, but we chose not to), the Arc de Triomphe, the Père LaChaise cemetery, the Tuileries gardens, and the Louvre.  I was very proud of myself for not getting too lost anywhere and for figuring out maps without my geographer husband!  I guess he's taught me something this year.

Square Saint-Jacques, where sit-ups are strictly forbidden.

The Square Saint-Jacques marks one of the routes that head toward Compostelle.  We've visited many cities along the way, and each has seashells marking the path along sidewalks and buildings (we've seen them in Chartres, Tours, Mont St-Michel, Nantes).  At the Arc de Triomphe, we saw an official ceremony of some kind, though what kind, we don't know. 

Hotel de la Porte Dorée.

We stayed at the Hotel de la Porte Dorée as recommended by David and Lily, and it was an excellent choice!  They had bookshelves full for guests on every floor and adorable rooms.  We especially enjoyed the artwork in our room as well as the unique, antique furnishings.

The cemetery was a good way to start Thursday even though it took a while to find the graves.  We visited Chopin, Poulenc, and Apollinaire.  Poulenc was good for both of us since Sarah, a pianist, plays his music, and since I, a lover of Apollinaire's poetry, like the poems set to Poulenc's music.

Sarah taking a picture
of Chopin.

Lisa with Apollinaire.

Sarah's favorite sculpture in the Louvre.
Winter, embodied.

We had absolutely gorgeous weather and enjoyed lunch in the Tuileries gardens while looking at statues and people-watching.  We figured out Sarah's return journey to the airport and then forged our way through the keychain vendors to get into the Louvre, where we saw the Mona Lisa, a lot of sculptures, and an exhibit on some Greek and Roman discoveries in the Rhône river.  All in all, it was a great tour of the city in two days.  It was sad to say good-bye to Sarah because it's the last family time we'll have until Aaron's brother Matt comes and because it was so good to become better friends with Sarah.  We miss her already and look forward to our other visitors in April!