::paris, 1

For our first full day in Paris, we decided to start at the Arc de Triomphe. Let me back up by saying that the previous day, France elected a new president who won with 52% of the votes. Very divided country. So, we head towards the Arc and the entire thing was blocked off. They had bleachers set up, crowds everywhere, dignitaries from all over the world were flooding into this area. We didn't stick around too long, but I think they were either going to have a speech, or they were doing some remembrance of the fallen soldiers.

Either way - once we saw the crowds we figured we didn't want to take up too much time there so we headed to the Galleries Lafayette.

The first picture is the ceiling of the Galleria. It's a mall that's 6-7 stories but relatively small in circumference. It was beautiful, though a bit pricey (it's where all the designers house their collections). The second picture is of the Opera House. There was a walkway connecting the mall with another shop where I snapped these 2 pictures. And yes, Paris really does look like that last picture. Everywhere. Every single building.

From the mall where took a hop on/hop off bus tour of the city.

Because of the election, they had the French flag on every light post of the major cities running off of the Arc.

We stopped at the Arc de Triomphe and everything had calmed down so up we went.

Then we took the bus down to the Notre Dame stop.

The church was closing by the time we got there so we did a little shopping instead. There were a bunch of little stores down this side street. We also picked up dinner at this tiny little Greek place and ate it in the park looking over the Seine. One of the best meals of the trip, hands down.

After dinner, we may have gotten another crepe (small shame) and decided to take a cruise down the Seine river. It was dark by this point so I didn't take many pictures. However, at night, the Eiffel Tower is lit. So we had a great view while coming and going. And every hour starting at 10:00, they do a light show on it as well. See the second picture with all the Christmas lights. They twinkle for about 5 minutes. Soo pretty.

(I had to put at least one picture with us even though it's blurry and gross.)