Gargoyles over Mona

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Geo: 48.8566, 2.35097

Bonjour, friends and family:

Just a quick blog post this morning, since yesterday ran late after our evening foray through The Louvre. Caught all the superstars there, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and works by da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo. The museum, a former palace, is immense and very impressive. You probably could get lost in it for days. Emerging from the glass pyramid entrance/exit after dark was a thrill in itself.

We began the day with a walk through the Latin Quarter on our way to Ile de la Cite, the historic center of Paris and France, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. After a stroll around the cathedral through the beautiful grounds, we found ourselves in the queue for the Tower Climb. A short wait and 400 steps up later, we were at the top of Notre-Dame's north towers and its views over Paris and close encounters with its famous gargoyles, which protected the church and functioned as rain downspouts. The cathedral itself was rich with history and spirituality.

Don't think we'll be catching the Bills game tonight, since it's on the NFL Network. Plus, we're 9 hours ahead here, so we'll probably be sleeping! Lots of other football (soccer) on TV here, all in French of course. The only English language stations are CNN and the BBC. We've been out later at night anyway, so we just pull up the Internet to catch up on local news through web sites.

We are in the Rue Cler neighborhood, about a 15-minute stroll to the Eiffel Tower and a 2-minute walk from the Ecole Militaire subway stop. Quite convenient and easy to get around, but Paris is a big city, so the scale on the maps is a bit deceiving and makes it look like things are much closer. We've found the subway (Metro) easy to navigate, so we save our walking for things
like the 400 steps to the top of the towers at Notre-Dame!

Onto the Orsay Museum, Saint Chapelle, and the Arc de Triomphe today!

Au revoir. And Go Bills!

Mike and Sharon

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Photos

The eyes have it!
Yes, the real Mona Lisa, under glass of course. Quite amusing how many people were posing for selfies throughout the Louvre, and especially in front of Mona. No flash photos, though!

Comments

[Kate and Nate]

Wow! Everything that you two have seen so far is so rich in culture and history! The gargoyles are a bit scary but also the protectors, I can't wait to hear more about them and your experiences with the French people!Also you mentioned a lo
t about all your sites and places you two have seen and are going but what about your eats??? How's the wine, how's the cheese, how's the caviar?? Lots of love, keep having safe travels. Adieu!

[Kier and David]

Great photos! Sounds like you are having a ball. We loved the metro too, so easy to navigate and sure does save on the shoe leather (or tennis shoes) ! We spent our 9 days staying in the Latin Quarter, so I'm glad you got to visit it too
. Looking forward to your next adventures. We leave France for Spain on this Saturday for our final 4 days. Take care

[Kylie]

Fantastic, such an extraordinary place! Wish I was there as we speak!!!!

[Jack and Paula]

Such memories created for you, such reminders for those of us who have been fortunate enough to have experienced some of this in our past. I'm so happy for you both. And yes, what of the good eats?