by Angela Sanford
City of Love
Paris is known as the “City of Love,” yes , and there was much to love. The hustle and bustle may not have been for us but the history and architecture were fascinating! The tourist “must-do’s” were on our list to accomplish – the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral – though we couldn’t visit inside as the renovations were ongoing from the fire it experienced in 2019.
A cruise of the Sienne as the lights of Paris glimmered on the water was a highlight. Better than that was the view from the Ballon de Paris Generali, flying over a park. The ride itself was so smooth you could barely tell you were rising about the city. I was worried my acrophobia might be triggered but it was not. The balloo
n could hold up to 35 guest but we shared it only with a father and son.
We strolled through several gardens, noting that the Luxembourg and Versailles gardens were extraordinary, as was the Palace of Versailles, itself. Upon viewing each of the fountains in the gardens at Versailles we walked to the estate of Marie Antoinette, and it was an estate befitting a queen, for certain. However, if ever you can take in the luxurious estates be sure to begin with her estate and close with Versailles to build up the grandeur and splendor.
The Sacre Coeur Basilica, an operating church, so it was free admission, was absolutely breathtaking. As we descended the cascading levels in front of the church I was compelled to remove my sandals and wade in the fountains – much to Dan’s chagrin.
A day at Disney Paris and a trip to the zoo were not on our initial itinerary but were well worth the excursions. Another favourite was nestled on the corner below the Pantheon; a small café that served the ultimate crepes. An order large enough to feed the two of us for under ten euros was a crepe smothered in raspberry sorbet, berry coulis, and maple syrup – justifiably the best lunch of the trip and likely the closest we came to being romantic while in the city.
We packed a great deal into our downtime and while we did not “lock our love” on any of the gates, we celebrated many wonderful moments and have memories to last a lifetime.
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