We spent today exploring some of city's great sites. Our first stop was the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile. The "Triumphant Arch" was commissioned by Napeolean in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz. It honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. The Tomb of the unknown soldier from WWI is also located under the Arch, it's eternal flame the first ever to be lit in Western and Eastern Europe. It now stands as a monument for all Wars. The monument leaves you in awe with it's size and majesty. As patriotic Australians we couldn't help but feel the emotion of sacrifices made by our diggers in France. Lest We Forget.

We hoped on a Parisian Rickshaw for a quick trip from the Arc to the base of the Eiffel tower (which we will visit tomorrow). This was a fun way to experience the roads in Paris, with some hairy moments on the roundabouts where we wondered if our rider would actually make it to the exit.

Our next stop was the River Seine with its beautiful emerald sparkling waters which had been beckoning us since we arrived in Paris. We enjoyed a 1 hour river cruise that delighted our senses as we slowly sailed down the river to a soundtrack of parisian classical and contemporary music. There's nothing like seeing the best view of Notre Dame in Paris with Ave Maria playing! We watched Parisians sunbathing and eating lunch on La Rive Gauche and dreamt of owning an apartment on the water.

We stopped at the Eiffel Tower Cafe opposite Pont d'Iéna, for a quick bite before crossing the river for Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.
We saw some amazing collections at the Museum; highlights for me were Pablo Picasso's sculpture Harlequin (1905) 'Le Fou ou Arlequin' , Henri Matisse sculpture Naked Layer (1907) 'Nu couche', and paintings La Danse (1967) by Picasso and Femme Aux yeux bleus (1918) by Amedeo Modigliani. The contemporary works in permanent exhibition were exceptional; hats off to the curator.

In the evening we dined at a little restaurant called La Cordonnerie. Petite is the only word you can use to described this tiny restaurant of about 6 tiny tables, in a small 2 room house that is hundreds of years old. The experience is like you have been invited to the chefs kitchen to dine, as he lovingly prepares the food in his open kitchen by the tables. He is the only chef, and he is joined by a single waiter and kitchen hand. The chef is a master, and we ate some of the best food we have had this trip.

We finished another beautiful day in Paris watching the sunset from the
Roue de Paris (Paris Wheel) 60 meters high in the sky with breathtaking views across Paris. C'est manifique!