Walking tour of Paris

To make up for yesterday, I decided to forgo the metro and walk to the Eiffel Tower and back. I wasn't sure how long it was going to take, but Mark estimated that it would take an hour to get there and an hour to get back so I had a rough idea. I made myself breakfast, packed my bag with the essentials including a map of Paris, and then made my way out the door for the day. I walked down Rue Saint-Antoine, one of the major streets that get you to many of Paris' landmarks. I walked to the Louvre, through les Jardin Tuleries, down les Champs Elysées to l'Arc de Triomphe, then south through tiny streets until I hit the Eiffel Tower. I couldn't believe that the way there took me almost two hours, but considering the pace I walked at as I admired all the sights and the pace Mark normally walks at (sometimes I almost need to jog beside him to keep up!), it made sense.
I got there eventually, and it was a beautiful sight. It wasn't too busy so I was able to find a small area for myself at Place du Trocadero with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower and les Champs de Mars. I just stood there for a few minutes, taking in the view and as I reached in my bag to take a picture, I realized that I had forgot my camera at the apartment! I was disappointed to say the least, but I guess that gives me an excuse to go back. I took a few more minutes and then decided that I should start to make my way home before it got dark. I walked East towards les Invalides and Napoleon's Tomb, but unfortunately the building is closed on the first Monday of every month so I wasn't able to go in. Instead, I walked through the courtyard and gardens and took the time to read about its history. Today les Invalides are a complex of museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building's original purpose. I continued East through the cobblestone streets to la Chapelle Saint-Sulpice, then through the Latin Quarter, past le Cathédrale Notre Dame and finally back home on Boulevard Henri IV, just in time for dinner. I picked up a bottle of wine, put on some light music and made dinner. I just talked to Mark and he won't be home until 3AM so looks like it'll just be me tonight.

Until tomorrow...
xoxo
Alexis