Paris day two - no rest for the weary

Today started great with a trip to the gym around the corner called Fitness First. They claim to have locations all over the world and have an agreement with the hotel for guests. We did cardio on the treadmill and then abs for a total of an hour. After cleaning up we set out for the Eiffel Tower and our lunch appointment of 1pm. The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be a temporary structure and built between 1887-1889 for the Exposition Universelle, a World's Fair marking the centennial celebration of the French Revolution. Most in Paris did not like the structure and considered it an eyesore. After the original time frame expired they decided to keep the tower because it served as a vital communications platform and was used to dispatch cabs to the front during the war for the wounded. Anyway, today the Eiffel Tower is the most visited attraction in the World with 200 million since 1889 and 6.7 million in 2006 alone!

Francis had purchased our tickets online and that was a huge time saver so we got into the smaller line and took the elevator to the second level. The wind was a bit numbing but the view was good considering the overcast skies. We found the heaters dispersed around the structure and would place our legs against them while peering out over the city...it definitely helped!! We then ascended to the top and were greeted by higher winds and a better view. Thankfully, we cold duck inside the enclosed area so we could warm ourselves. We could see the Arc de Triomphe, the business area, the Sacred Heart Basilica and anything else on the tourist schedule.

Our lunch appointment was at 1pm so we descended and entered the restaurant on the first level and were taken to a table along the edge and yes we were toasty in the enclosed restaurant. Francis had the duck while I decided on the salmon and I did sample some white wine. The lunch was a great idea and I would recommend for anyone considering a visit. After lunch we descended and and got aboard the Les Cars Rouges (Red Buses) tour buses so it could take us around the tourist attractions. The top of the bus is open so being up top is a cold experience today. We rode by the Champ de Mars, Musee de Louvre and stopped at the Notre Dame.

The Notre Dame is one of a few gothic architecture structures left in Paris and noted for the stained glass contained inside. They allowed pictures and even had an area for confession which was being used as we passed by. I'm not much on the whole church scene but seeing the history and architecture was interesting. We hopped aboard the Red Bus again and this time passed by the Musee D'Orsay and got off at the Opera. As we were taking pictures around the Opera the rain started so we ducked down into the Metro stop and I was introduced to Paul the well regarded French cafe chain...and supposedly they are coming to the US. I got my tea and we had some pastries for energy.

The rain did stop and we went to the Lafayette Galleries (shopping mall) where atop the place they have a great view of the city. It sits directly behind the Opera building and not well known and explains why there weren't many people admiring the view. We then took the Metro back to the hotel and prepared for dinner at the restaurant called Hippopotamus (a French chain restaurant). I really wanted to try a hamburger in Paris (outside of McDonald's) so I ordered one medium well and instead got one that was rare. Not my cup of tea but this is a place where you can order raw hamburger called tar tare (which Francis would have tomorrow at lunch). So I ate it and caveatted my meal with if I get mad cow disease we know why!

Our evening was again late and we headed back to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow and a full day of activities. The first picture is atop the Lafayette Galleries with the backside of the Opera building on the left and the Eiffel Tower in the background on the right. The second picture is of one of the many stained glass windows in the Notre Dame. The third picture is of the front of the Notre Dame. The fourth picture is from the top of the Eiffel Tower looking down into the Trocadero. The fifth picture is of the Eiffel Tower (but you knew that...right) and the last picture is of us atop the Eiffel Tower...do we look cold? :) We'll be up early for the gym tomorrow!