Wednesday we went into Paris getting off the metro near Arc de Triomphe. Getting up close to this giant is well worth it. The kids were excited when they saw movement on the very top, so away we went, through a tunnel under the traffic circle, and then climbing a winding staircase with 234 steps. At the top we enjoyed looking over all of Paris in every direction. Tim was impressed by how straight the streets are, and by how many of the major monuments line up perfectly. Brennin noticed that we couldn't count to ten without hearing a honking horn from below. Belia announced that after all the climbing we have been doing she isn't feeling so scared of heights anymore.

It took a long walk along the Seine to find the Bato bus pier. We joined the hop on hop off boat that stops at major points of interest. Our first stop being the Musée d'Orsay. During our flight to London, we watched a documentary on this old train station renovated into an art gallery. The building and its clocks alone are a work of art, and then to top it off you get to see impressionist and post-impressionist art. Darius and Brennin surprised Tim with how many paintings they recognized. Darius found one of Belia's favorite Monet's from her kids book "Katie goes to Paris". The poppies in the painting are beautiful!

Back on the boat we headed for Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Bato Bus dropped us off beside the massive stone church. The spires and ornate circular stain glass windows caught my eye first. The entrance is covered in stone carvings and sculptures, the air was heavy with incense. We noticed that Notre Dame is less decorative than St.Paul's in London. I found it easier to focus in this space. The stunning stain glass windows, their intricacy and brilliant colors are unforgettable. After walking a bit the organ started to play, and a worship service began. I found it very relaxing, but Mariah found the service and the building too showy. I didn't like that their store is in the sanctuary. We sat for a while taking in the vast space and reflecting.

As we left the Cathedral we could hear people laughing. A street entertainer was following a person in the crowd without them knowing. Once they clued in it was funny to watch their expression.

We left on the Bato bus for The Louvre. We found a place to eat across from the Tuileries and kitty corner to the Louvre. We ordered dinner crepes, omelets and quiche. Recharged we headed for the largest art museum in the world. The kids were looking forward to seeing Mona Lisa so we made our way there first.

Again the size and the architecture of the building itself is enough to impress anyone, in addition to that the art is incredibly life like, and some pieces are enormous. We prepared the kids telling them that the Mona Lisa is a very small painting. When we got to her they were happy she wasn't as small as they were expecting. They could see her perfectly. Mariah and Darius wondered why she, out of all the paintings, is the most famous. There seem to be better ones. Tim thought her hands looked out of proportion. Belia was happy that the Mona Lisa has her own wall to hang on. It's funny to think that Leonardi de Vinci painted over top of a few versions of this painting, on the same canvas, until he stopped at this one, then he carried it with him everywhere he went. In the past this painting was stolen by an employee of the Louvre and not found for a number of years. They got it back when the employee tried to sell it. When the museum finally got her back they put her under maximum security behind bullet proof glass! Crazy! On the other side of the room is the largest painting in the Louvre, The Wedding at Cana.

We looked for the Egyptian exhibit but were too late - it had closed for the day.

The way home became complicated because our train line shut down for servicing. It was late and getting dark - the Metro was looking desolate, so after some deliberating we decided to go to the nearby Hilton and call a cab.

We were so happy to get to our campground - it was a long day and we all needed sleep.