A gorgeous day in Paris

Lady luck smiled on us when we got up this morning to a beautiful day in Paris.  After a breakfast at our apartment, we took the fairly short stroll down Avenue Victor Hugo to the Arc De Triomphe.  To access it through the world's busiest traffic circle, you have to go to the Charles De Gaulle E'toile Metro station and walk under the traffic circle to get to the Arc.  We paid our fee and climbed the twisting stairway to the top of the Arc and took in the 360 degree view of Paris under bleu skies and temperatures in the mid-40s.

The view from the top was spectacular and as someone with a fear of heights, it didn't bother me at all.

Inside the Arc there are very informational panels showing the history of the Arc as well as the history of the unknown soldier not only buried there but other unknown soldiers in various countries including the U.S.  We had a fun lunch at a cafe on the Champs De Elysees that wasn't the best meal in the world but the location couldn't be beat.

We needed to get back to the apartment by 2 to meet our friends Candace and Griffin who were meeting us to stay for the rest of the trip.  Once they arrived, we set out on the number 2 blue Metro line to Montmarte and the Sacre C'ouer. 

We climbed the steps to the beautiful church at the top and the great view of Paris late in the day. 

With the hippie/poet/artist vibe conquered, we jumped back on the Metro in order to get back to our apartment since we couldn't get in after seven after Marley dropped a key fob down an elevator shaft at the apartment.  Long story that had a happy ending when a worker found the key fob and another key fob that a previous guest had lost.  We stopped at various stores for a fabulous dinner our on enclosed deck, and Marley played hostess with a great set up station in an adjacent room.

The food was great and the view even greater with even greater friends as an incredible trip continues.

Thanks for all the well wishes we've gotten back from the states.  Tomorrow, with a rainy/snowy forecast, we plan to do our Thanksgiving lunch at the Eiffel Tower, ditching the Jules Verne restaurant plan for the more affordable 58 Tour Eiffel option with plans for a stop at the Louvre in the afteroon.