Off to Paris

This day was all about Paris.  We hopped on a commuter train in Braine l'Allued and rode up to Brussels.  There we boarded a high-speed train that would take us to Paris.  Had we drove the trip would have taken 3 1/2 hours.  The train got us there in an hour and 20 minutes.  We ended up riding backward for the entire trip, but it was so smooth that it didn't bother me at all.

As we were nearing the train station, Paris looked like any other urban area, full of high rises and graffiti.  After getting off the train we got on the subway to ride to Hotel Deville (which is where we would get on the Batobus on the Seine).  As we came up out of the subway station into a plaza the architecture and scenery screamed "Paris".  

We got our tickets for the Batobus.  This boat made a loop on the Seine and stopped at the main tourist locations.  We would ride up the Seine to the Eiffel Tower for our first stop.

We got off the boat and joined what seemed like hundreds of people headed toward the tower.  We had already decided that there would not be enough time to go up in the tower so we were content to walk around and take in the sights.  Unfortunately, the scenery was somewhat marred by construction going on around the base of the tower.  But it was still quite something to see something so iconic in person.

We made a stop for some souvenirs and waited to board the boat again.  We would ride it down to Notre Dame.  The view of the cathedral was gorgeous from the Batobus stop.

There were hundreds of people waiting to enter Notre Dame so we would once again have to be content with walking around and enjoying the outside of the building.

As we were walking from the back of Notre Dame back to the front we passed a cafe that was making fresh crepes for takeaway.  I had to grab one.  Marla said that she wasn't hungry.  I informed her that hunger had nothing to do with my decision.  I found myself walking up the side of Notre Dame eating a fresh warm caramel crepe.  Then it hit the top of the hour and the bells started ringing.  It was a perfect moment to take in and enjoy!

Even though it was a quick trip I had a great time taking in the most famous of Paris' landmarks.  Definitely an unforgettable day!