Final Day in Paris

We started our third day in Paris, a Sunday, in a most romantic way.  We discovered we had run out of diapers right as we were leaving the hotel to start our day.  Shortly thereafter, we smelled poop.  Quickly, we exited the hotel and began a frantic search for diapers.  It was 9 a.m. and none of the grocery stores had opened.  We began to scour convenience stores.  First one only had a newborn size, second one didn't have any, and the third...jackpot.  After getting a fresh diaper on K, I could enjoy our day.

Our first stop was the Eiffel Tower.  On the way there, we passed Napoleon's grave site, Hotel des Invalides.

 We found a grocery store and stocked up for the picnic lunch we planned on having later that day...salami, Camembert, a baguette, mustard, grapes and wine (of course).  Next stop, Eiffel Tower.

 As we approached the Eiffel Tower, we saw a playground nearby and decided to stop and let Kellan do some playing.  It was there where I had these incredible photo opportunities.

 We had hoped to go up in the tower, but hadn't planned well enough.  The line was very, very long, so we skipped it, but hope to go up on our next visit.
Across the street is the Seine and a cool carousel.  From there, we headed toward the Arc du Triomphe.

 As we walked away from the tower, I caught a dreamy glance of it behind me.  Almost surreal.

The Arc de Triomphe is located at Place Charles De Gaulle and Champ Elyssees (big shopping area!).  I couldn't get far enough away from it to get a perfect shot.  But I got some fun close-ups.

 The Arc is a monument that honors those who fought and died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.  Underneath it lies the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I.  Below is a full shot of the monument from Wikipedia.  Click here for more info on the Arc.

Below are my shots...from underneath...

 Because we had a stroller, we were able to take an elevator to go to nearly the top of the Arc, where there is a small cafe and gift shop.  There was another narrow flight of stairs we had to traverse to get the very top, which we did with Kellan in his stroller (there was lots of carrying of the stroller up and down stairs on this trip).  It was well worth it for these views:

 We went back down and walked around the monument at the ground level.  The sculpture on its walls is beautiful.

 After we had seen the Arc de Triomphe, Matt asked me if there was anywhere I would like to go.  In Frommers, I had read about the Opera Garnier, the venue for ballet and opera in Paris and the supposed home of The Phantom of the Opera.  After seeing the pictures in Frommers (which I couldn't believe) and being a big Phantom of the Opera fan, we decided to go.

 Entry hall.

 Go up the stairs in the above picture and you find yourself here...another, grander entry hall.

 Ceiling.

 View from second floor into entry hallway.

 Hallway...pretty amazing, but wait until you see the main hall.

 Library with scores and sheet music.

 Another spectacular ceiling.

 And the most magnificent hall at the Opera Garnier shown below.  Can you believe this is an actual place?  I couldn't even as I stood and took pictures of it.  Can you imagine being dressed up in your finest gown, sipping champagne and mingling with friends here before taking in an opera or ballet?

 Another ceiling.  I love all of the masks everywhere.

 On the terrace.

 Ceiling of the terrace.

 Looking out from the terrace.

 Unfortunately the auditorium - the main attraction of this incredible theater - was closed when we visited.  We hope to come back in the summer and actually see an opera or ballet, so we will be able to see the auditorium them.

We finished our day with crepes and wine and then headed back to the hotel early.  Our trip to Paris was one of the best I've ever had and I can't wait to go back!