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Plus de Neige à Paris

We awoke this morning to more snow in Paris! I don't know how Parisians feel about it, but I absolutely love it! 
The Louvre in the Snow (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
We tried to go back to the Mémorial des Déportés, but even though it was supposed to be open, it was not. I was pretty bummed, but at least I will be back in July and can go then.
Inside Notre Dame
Since it was right behind the memorial, we took the kids to Notre Dame. We studied the outside for a little bit then went inside where it was warm. Being Sunday morning, there was a mass going on and the cathedral's air was heavy with incense.
Mass at Notre Dame
The Crèche was still set up on the right side of the cathedral. It is, by far, the most intricate one I have ever seen. It really has no comparison - absolutely beautiful!
The Crèche at Notre Dame
Will and Maddie were "starving" (because a whole hour and a half had passed since breakfast) so we went to a little café. Which is where I realized I had left our Musée d'Orsay tickets in the hotel room. Bill ever so gallantly offered to brave the snow and retrieve said tickets while the kids and I  stayed in the warmth of the café.
Will at the Café
Madison enjoys a chicken sandwich
 Gabrielle sipped on a chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and she and I split a banana and chocolate crêpe. Ooh la la, très magnifique!
Chocolate & Banana Crêpe...mmmmmmm
 When Bill returned, we hopped on the RER and went to the D'Orsay. This former train station is now a museum that houses Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.
Inside the Musée d'Orsay (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
We saw many Van Gogh paintings which was the highlight for Will and Maddie. We searched his painting L'Église d'Auvers-sur-Oise to try to find Van Gogh's monster, as well as the dedication to Amy Pond, but to no avail. Will and Maddie were also disappointed not to see the Starry Night with Tardis à la Doctor Who. It is good to know my children's art history comes, not from Bill or me who teach this stuff, but from a sci-fi show about a 940-something year old time lord from Gallifrey. 
We also enjoyed several paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Degas, Monet, and Manet. I would show you photos of the many amazing paintings and statues in the Musée d'Orsay, but no photos were allowed. So you will either have to look up the paintings at the D'Orsay, or, if you're too lazy to do that, I suppose you could just use your imagination...
We headed back to the hotel, bought some cheese and baguettes and had a little snack/lunch. Everyone took a nap (except moi) to rest up for our bon voyage dinner cruise on the icy Seine. What did I do whilst my family slept? Well, Paris and I needed a little alone time...
I walked down the rue de Lafayette and took lots of photos.
Yarn Shop Window (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
Shoes! (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
Le Metro (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
Paris Je T'aime (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
Opéra Garnier (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
Winter Sucks? Socks? (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
Little Car in the Snow (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
We are going on our dinner cruise in a moment. I won't have time to post any more tonight. We will get back late and must leave early for the airport. I will write and finish my thoughts about the trip soon! Au revoir!
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