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Un Samedi d'Hiver à Paris

A Winter Saturday in Paris....
Winter Eiffel Tower - (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala 2013)
In the morning, we had the good fortune of a three hour bus tour of Paris with a most knowledgable guide. In fact, I learned a few things I did not know before! In the past, our bus tours have always made stops at places like Pont Neuf and le Jardin du Luxembourg, but not today. Apparently, a new law has been passed that limits the places such tour busses can stop, but on a snowy cold morning such as today's, I didn't complain too much! We did have one stop at the Eiffel Tower (much to Madison's pleasure!) 
Gabrielle, Bill, moi, Maddie & Will at the Eiffel Tower
Gabrielle, Madison, et moi
 After lunch and a brief nap for the three kids, we headed to the Louvre. We had an absolutely spectacular time there. Will was totally fascinated by the Egyptian artifacts (he is studying ancient Egypt in school right now). 
Will at the Mastaba of a Pharaoh - The Louvre 
Madison was loving the Classical Greek statues, although she was bummed we didn't find a statue of Zeus or Poseidon. Her favorite, however, was the Mona Lisa. She took a brief video of it, which she narrated (too cute!) 
Madison partying Ancient Greek Style - The Louvre
Gabrielle enjoyed many of the paintings that she studied in AP Euro last year, and it was really neat that Bill was able to see them with her since he's the one who taught her! 
Gabrielle Fist Bumps Marble Man at The Louvre
Et moi? Well, I could not wait to see my lovely Delacroix - Liberty Leading the People, but to my horror, it was not there! It is currently on a world tour...go figure! My bitter disappointment was rapidly assuaged when I discovered Les Apartements des Napoleon III. Très belles!!
Napoleon III's Ante-Chambre - The Louvre
We could have wandered around there for much longer, but it was getting a bit dark, so we decided to head over to the Notre Dame area.
Notre Dame dans la Neige (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
I wanted to take Bill and the kids to Shakespeare and Company, but the entrance was as far as we got...it is closed until February 1st. A bummer, but...I'll be back in July!
Dog Photo-Bombs the Kids at Shakespeare & Co
We ate dinner at La Braserade on rue de la Huchette. A tourist trap of an area, but we did have a wonderful dinner. The maître d' LOVED Madison. He spoke to her in French and kept calling her "Marie Claire." Gabrielle, Bill, and I all tried escargots this evening, and we all liked it very much! Bill and I had confit de canard (duck) and it was fantastic! 
Je Mange Escargot...Mmmmm - La Braserade, Paris
After dinner, we made our way to the métro by way of the Hôtel de Ville where it was a-glitter with lights and ice skaters. Sigh. Très parfait. 
Hôtel de Ville, Paris (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
Will, Bill, Madison & Gabrielle Watch the Ice Skaters
Hôtel de Ville Alit (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)
And now I must bid you bonne nuit...I will write more tomorrow - our last day in Paris.
Duh. (photo credit: Jennifer Boyer-Switala)

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