Passoni's in Paris

My Aunt and Cousin came for a visit, so we headed to Paris for a few days. Poor Bob had to work so he couldn't join us, but I think he secretly enjoyed his alone time. He could watch as much cycling as he wanted without being subjected to shows like Gossip Girl and Teen Mom 2.

We left on early Tuesday and returned late on Thursday. We arrived in Paris at about 10:30 and headed to our hotel to drop off our luggage. Despite my past adventures on the subway, I decided we should try it again. It was quick and easy. No pick pockets this time. When we arrived at our hotel, without getting lost once, the room was ready so we got to relax for a bit, before heading out.



Our hotel was right above a little boulangerie "bakery"



Comfy beds




View from our balcony




Lauren learning how to take pics with my DSLR.
Pretty impressive for a first try. Right?


After the we checked in we headed to the Musee d'Orsay. Unfortunately you aren't allowed to take pictures inside, but trust me it is beautiful. The collection is housed in a former train station built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900, so the building itself is a work of art. We saw painting by Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Gauguin, and Sisley. My favorite was series of paintings by Monet of the Rouen Cathederal in the late 19th century.



Statues outside the Musee d'Orsay


After the museum, we headed over to the Eiffel Tower.



Eiffel Tower


After we the Eiffel Tower, went to a fondue place for dinner. I didn't take my camera, but we ate lots of cheese and Lauren got yelled at by a Frenchmen for not correctly eating her fondue.

The next morning we headed out to see Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle. Conciergerie was built as a palace, but is famous for being the prison where Marie Antoinette was jailed before she was beheaded. The actual cell where Marie Antoinette was converted into chapel in her memory.



Staircase at Conciergerie

  

Conciergerie




Conciergerie



Conciergerie



Stained Glass in Marie Antoinette chapel


Sainte-Chapelle was built by King Louis IX in 1248 to house relics, such as the Crown of Thorns, he acquired during the crusades. There are 16 stained class windows illustrating biblical scenes. The final window tells how the relics came to Paris. One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The pictures don't do it justice. I could have sat in the chapel for hours.




Outside of Sainte-Chapelle



Outside of Sainte-Chapelle

Lower chapel for commoners



Stained glass in lower chapel



Look for Paris Continued to see the rest of our visit.