Jardin d'Acclimatation

The cousins went to Normandy for a few days without us.  They visited the D-Day Beaches, the Bayeux Tapestry, and Honfleur--besides other things.  We bought groceries, got Lil's glasses tightened and the nose pad replaced, and waited for the cousins to come back.

Since the cousins arrived, Lillian and Sylvia have been talking up the Jardin d'Acclimatation.  The first day back, the cousins agreed that we had to go.

 Horse riders from youngest to oldest

 
 

 The park was not very busy when we arrived and the kids were thrilled because that meant they could jump on the trampolines as much as they wanted.  The girls who was supposed to be enforcing the time limits was busy texting her boyfriend and there were plenty of empty trampolines.

Some ventured onto the bigger roller coasters.  All wished they hadn't ventured into the mirror maze (Someone even has a bump on her head--ouch!).  You pay a little bit to enter the park and then pay for the other attractions with tickets.  It can add up very quickly.  Luckily, there are several free play structures and a splash pad in the summer.

It was Brittany days at the park, which meant there were lots of people selling stuff.  As we were leaving, they were also giving camel rides.  I am pretty sure this had nothing to do with Brittany days.

 Here is a blurry Apples to Apples photos.

I am grateful that the girls have so many cousins near their age.  They had a great time with their Canadian cousins.

Batobus and Jardin du Luxembourg

 We walked down to the Seine and hopped on a Batobus.  The Batobus goes up the Seine, loops around the islands and returns to the Eiffel Tower.  You can jump on or off at any 8 tourists attractions.  I thought the Batobus would be better than it was.  It was slow and it was hard to get good pictures due to the plastic roof.  If I were take a river cruise again, I would do it with one of the tour companies--Vedettes de Paris or Bateaux Mouches.  Despite the crummy forecast, we had a beautiful day.

 Ready to board the Batobus

The Seine is a very busy river.  There are many tourist boats, but barges full of cargo and gravel, too.

We got off at Notre Dame and ran around back to the park.

 

These kids did not feel sick enough from the Batobus, so they decided to spin, spin, spin.

There was an enormous line to go inside the cathedral, something I have never seen before, so we did not actually venture inside. 

We walked over to Jardin du Luxembourg, ate some crepes, and played on the playground. 



Poilane Bread and other French things

After climbing the Eiffel Tower, we headed over to the market under line 6 metro.  On the way we walked by Poilane and had to buy a few things.  I have seen this bakery mentioned on many food blogs, but have never before bumped into one of them.

Mmmm!

I had a yummy falafel at the market, too.

 

This advertisement seems to be on every bus and in every metro station. 

 

We headed home and then almost everyone headed out to the Marais to see Place des Vosges and Musée de la Magie.

Up the Stairs at the Eiffel Tower

 Ladies of the Tower

 It is high tourist season, and even though we arrived early there was a long line to walk up the stairs.  Luckily, the line moved pretty quickly.

 

 Journaling at the top

 

 

324 meters (with antennae)

10,100 tons

60 tons of paint each time, every 7 years

704 steps to the second floor

Le Jardin des Tuileries

 After the market, we took the metro down to the Tuileries.  Where do these crazy girls get their energy?  Sugar.

 Amorino is my favorite gelato in Paris and they have a cart in the Tuileries.  It was freezing, but it didn't stop some kids from needing gelato.  See how they make it look like a lovely flower?

From here, we headed to the Louvre.  Pierre renewed our yearly membership and we got some lunch at the food court.  Sylvia and I returned home and the rest of the gang explored the Louvre.

Canadian Cousins Arrive!

 Brothers (We miss you, Robert and Michelle!)

 We walked up to Palais de Chaillot for the required Eiffel Tower photo shoot and then down to the market.

One Canadian cousin likes the caramel crepe.  The other scored a free apple by just being cute.

 My fabulous sister-in-law carried a large suitcase full of gifts for Sylvia's birthday...and more.  Thanks Mémé and Pépé and Canadian cousins.

These two powered through their first sleepless day here.  I was most impressed.

82° or 28°

 

 The girls have a two hour lunch.  We joined some friends at the park for a picnic.  I was then going to go home and cook and clean to prepare for our guests.

Instead, I biked to the Tuileries and ate some gelato with a friend.  I hope the Halifax cousins will understand.

 

Sisters walking to school