Paris Day 2 (continued)- Eiffel Tower and City Walk

After leaving the Louvre Museum, Kati led us to a spot ideal for photographing the Eiffel Tower. We took bus #72 and then walked to 12 Avenue de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, where the Eiffel Tower provides a stunning backdrop for photos. Along the way, we also enjoyed many beautiful Parisian scenes.

From there, we continued to Passage Jouffroy, a historic covered arcade in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, known for its 19th-century charm, architectural innovation, and vibrant mix of shops and cultural attractions.

Afterward, we returned to the hotel. Later, we walked about 20 minutes to a Thai restaurant called Chanee Thai for dinner. After our meal, we walked back to the hotel, following Le Feydeau Road (Rue Le Feydeau) all the way back.

Paris Day 2- Louver Museum (continued)

After lunch, we wandered through the museum, making our way to the room where the Mona Lisa is displayed. As always, the line to see her was ridiculously long. Since we had both seen it up close on previous visits, we decided to skip it this time.

It is not possible to see everything in Louver museum in couple of hours.  Enclosed here are couple of more photos besides the fashion statement pieces.  

Walking out of the museum is a challenge because the direction is confusion.  It was a long walk passing many stores underground before you come out on the ground.  Of course,  like all the other museums, they want the visitor to spend some money before they leave.

When we finally on the ground, it had finally stopped raining and sun peaked out.  For couple of golden minutes, we enjoyed the blue sky and white clouds in the background for some obligatory Instagram photos (The museum set a stool for you to take photos with the pyramid).

Paris Day 2- Louver Museum-Louvre Couture: Art and Fashion—Statement Piece exhibit

I booked our tickets online before we arrived in Paris. To avoid the crowds, we chose an early timed entrance at 10:00 AM. It was a cold, cloudy, and slightly drizzly day—pretty miserable weather to be waiting outside. Even with timed tickets, we ended up waiting about 45 minutes to get in. Ironically, the walk-in line for people without tickets was actually shorter and moved faster! I told Katie, "These timed entrance tickets are a scam!"

We paid extra for the Louvre Couture: Art and Fashion—Statement Piece exhibit, and it was absolutely worth it. Both Katie and I loved it. She took charge as our guide and made sure we didn’t miss a single room.

After checking our backpack into the storage room, we headed straight to the couture exhibit. At first, it wasn’t too crowded, but it definitely got busier as time went on. The exhibit was amazing—each room featured a fashion statement piece beautifully displayed, blending perfectly with the room’s decor. Katie was determined that we see every last one.

We took tons of photos, but I’ve only included a few here to give you a glimpse of the fashion on display.

The museum’s cafeteria didn’t disappoint. There were a few small food shops alongside the main cafeteria, offering a good variety of hot and cold dishes. The food was decent, and the prices were reasonable.

Paris Day 1 (continued)-Notre Dame Cathedral

From Pont Alexandre III, I took bus #63 to Saint-Germain-des-Prés to meet Katie for lunch. I arrived early, so I walked around the area a bit before meeting up with her.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is one of the four administrative quarters of the 6th arrondissement of Paris, centered around the church of the former Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. I visited the church and then strolled along the main street in the neighborhood. It was filled with chic boutiques and lively restaurants, many with people enjoying meals on their outdoor patios.

After lunch, we walked to Notre-Dame Cathedral. Both Katie and I had tried to book entrance tickets online, but every time we checked, the website showed them as "Sold Out." We decided to head there anyway and try our luck by waiting in line. Although the line was long, it moved surprisingly quickly. After about 15 minutes, we were inside the cathedral. Despite the crowds, everyone moved along smoothly.

We were fortunate to arrive shortly after a service had started and got to witness the presentation of the entrance of the popes—a special moment.

The newly restored interior is absolutely stunning. I hope my photos can do it justice.

Paris Day 1 (continued)- Pont de la Alexander III

After walked around the Place de la Concorde.  We continued walk across the Pont de la Concorde and walked along the Seine riverbank to reach Pont de la Alexander III. Along the way, you can see the Eiffler Tower in the background.  At the end of Pont de la Concorde is the Assemblee nationale-Palais Bourbon (lower house of the French Parliament).

The Pont Alexandre III is often considered the most beautiful bridge in Paris. It's an ornate Beaux-Arts style bridge that spans the Seine River, connecting the Champs-Élysées area (on the Right Bank) with the Les Invalides and Eiffel Tower areas (on the Left Bank). It was built 1896–1900, named After: Tsar Alexander III of Russia, to honor the Franco-Russian alliance.  It was designed by Joseph Cassien-Bernard and Gaston Cousin, it is a low-arched steel bridge with extravagant decorations—think golden statues, nymphs, winged horses, cherubs, and lampposts that look like works of art.

The bridge is a symbol of friendship between Russia and France.  The bridge itself is a work of art—every element is decorative, yet it maintains a balanced, airy feel.

The views from Place de la Concorde are epic: you can see the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais, the Seine and Pont de la Alexander III all at the same time.

What to Look For at the bridge: there are Four Gilded Statues: At each corner, there’s a 17-meter-high column with gilded bronze winged horses on top; Art Nouveau lamps: Elegant and detailed, especially beautiful when lit at night; Bridge Sculptures: Including nymphs and allegorical figures representing the Seine and Neva rivers (France and Russia).

Continue walk across the Pont de la Alexander III, we reached Grand Palais museum and Petit Palais art museum. This is a statue of Winston Churchill right after you across the bridge at the corner of Petit Palais art museum.

The statue marks Churchill’s historic connection with France, especially during WWII. There’s a famous quote inscribed on the pedestal: “We shall never surrender.”  This recalls his fierce resistance to Nazi Germany and his alliance with Charles de Gaulle and the Free French Forces.

Assemblee nationale

Eiffler Tower and Pont de la Alexander III and Seine river

Winston Churchill statue

Petit Palais Art Musuem

Grand Palais Museum