Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe

Can you believe we are still on day 2 of Paris? We first did a self guided historic walk around some of Paris' oldest sights, then explored the left bank and like that was not enough we ended up going back to the right bank and walking the Champs-Elysees and going up the Arc de Triomphe. From the Military Musem we crossed Pont Alexandre III, which is the most ornate bridge in Paris.

The Grand Palais - which is a grand exhibit hall.

Place de la Concorde, the city's largest square

We started back towards the Arc. You can see it at the end of the street.

This is the entrance to Abercrombie & Fitch. Seriously.

Thanks to a recommendation of a friend we stopped at Laduree for a pastry. I got a macaroon and Eric got this chocolate puff below. Laduree is classic 19th century tea salon and restaurant. This is not the main restaurant, but a little store set up outside to grab a quick treat.

We walked around and around to try to find the underground tunnel because there is no way we were running across the busy traffic circle. Eric claims he ran across it when he visited Paris before.

Napoleon had this arch constructed to celebrate his victor at the battle of Austerlitz. There is no arch bigge at 165 feet high and 130 wide. It really was massive.

The views from on top were beautiful. It was a feat to get up there though! 284 steps to the top and after a full of walking I was tired by the time we arrived on the observation deck.

In this one you can see a big church at the top of the hill in the distance. I wish we had made it out there. That is Sacre-Coeur in the Montmarte District.

This is seriously the one picture we have of us together our entire trip. Eric would not let me ask strangers to take our picture because he thought they would run off with our new, expensive camera. A nice American couple asked us to take their picture so somehow I convinced Eric to let them get a picture of us. If you know me well, you know this was difficult me not being able to ask people to take our picture! Which is why you get lots of solo shots of me!

We stayed until twilight when the sun began to go down. The street was packed with people and cars.

The Eiffel Tower beginning to light up.

We left before it got really dark. As soon as we got off the subway, the bright lights of the light show came on and the tower came to life.

What a day! We were beat. We headed back to the Rue Cler area by our hotel and had dinner at Cafe la Roussillon, a French pub. It was casual and easy and good. I think we both had roast chicken with some sort of potatoes. And that concludes day two! It was a jam packed, but fun day. I love Paris!