Rachel in Paris

You may have noticed a third party in our snow day post. We were utterly delighted to have our friend Rachel join us for 10 days in January. She had never been to France before so we "saved up" some of the big touristy things to do together. 

We were somewhat thwarted by the Eiffel Tower closing its upper viewing deck for annual maintenance and repairs. We were limited to the lower deck, but made the most of it by booking entry for the sunset hour. We ruthlessly taught Rachel the transit system and sent her to Versailles solo as neither of us were interested in going. And we caught colds. Oh well.

First up: a boat tour on the Seine, with Notre Dame in the background

Then, the Arc de Triomph. 

Brian didn't know you could go on TOP of the Arc. But the fog thwarted our views.

  

We cleverly? Selfishly? trained Rachel to be our morning pastry caddie. 

In the Musee d'Orsay

The D'Orsay required wine. Because the Van Gogh special exhibition was overwhelming.

Rachel and La Louvre

After dark, the Eiffel Tower sparkles.

Rachel and a Paris Sunset

Mediocre champagne, fabulous views, wonderful friends.

~Lucy