Paris view from the Eiffel 3-21

 Today was a full day of touring icons in the city of Paris.  We used the metro (subway) for our transportation and still walked 16,000 steps.  We visited the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, viewed the Diana Memorial, had dinner at Le Marceau, and walked Champs-Elysees.

The Eiffel tower is a symbol of Paris and France.  It was constructed in 1889 as the centerpiece of the World's Fair. Although initially critized by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design, it has since become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It was built as an observation and broadcasting tower.  During WWI it played a crucial role in intercepting enemy communications from Berlin. It is the most visited monument with an entrance fee in the world.

During our visit to the Eiffel tower Linda, Beth, Ethan, and Samuel took the elevator to the second level.  They took some great pictures of the greater Paris area.  I waited below and watched the crowd.  If you are in Paris, especially for the first time, make the Eiffel tower a visit.

After leaving the Eiffel we walked to the Arc de Triomphe.  During this walk we stopped by the memorial for Princess Diana at the location where she was in a fatal automobile accident. Afterwards we stopped at the Le Marceau restaurant for a traditional French meal.  We tried several traditional dishes.  The boys had escargot, Beth had frog legs (she said they tasted like chicken), and I had French onion soup.  Beth, Linda and I had a Kir Royal.  Linda and Beth had beef bourguignon, Samuel had a Croque Monsieur sandwich, Ethan had lamb chops, and I had a Croque Madame sandwich. Samuel was most looking forward to trying escargot while in France and thought it was delicious.

The Kir Royal is an French cocktail made up of Champagne and Creme de Cassis liquer.  This drink was created by the French resistance in WWII after the Germans seized all the French wines.  When you drink a Kir Royale you demonstrate your support of France and the resistance. Viva La France.

Our next stop was the Arc de Triomphe.  This historical monument was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806. It was not completed until 1836.  It was built to honor those French solidiers who died for France. Through the years French, German, and American military soldiers have marched through the Arc after their victories in WWI and WWII.  We had the opportunity to be in France on Armistice Day in 2023 and watched the parade honoring the French.  A very memorable occasion.

It was a long day.  We returned to our apartment to get ready for tomorrow.  We have a chocolate and pastry tour set up and afterwards we will visit Notre Dame Cathedral.  Then after it gets dark we will go see the Eiffel Tower at night. 

Linda, Samuel,Beth, Ethan, Jerry
on break

Kir, anyone?


Beef Bourguignon

Beth enjoying froglegs


View from Eiffel

Jerry and Linda

Ethan at the Arc de Triomphe

Samuel with his Escargot

View from the Eiffel

Ethan and Jerry

Princess Diana Memorial


French walking under the Arc WWI

Americans in WWII under the Arc

Germans WWII before the Americans arrived



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