Arc De Triomphe

...the closer you get, the more you appreciate its perfect symmetry and its sheer size.

It’s a good stop if you’re seeing the sights. It’s also a long climb and you should be prepared for that. And, as with all highly-elevated places, make sure the weather is decent when you go. It’s not fun if it’s sleeting out.

There is a sleek grocery really close (l’epicerie) and we got lunch there and then walked to a near by park to have a little parisian picnic – complete with tiny bottles of wine.

The Champs Elysee is a bit of a disappointment unless of course you want to stop at the Gap (yes, they seriously have one there). I was expecting high end shops left and right.

The Arc itself won’t let you down – it’s beautiful. And planes have flown through the arch… talk about crazy!

The roundabout is crazy! Don’t drive around the Arc de Triomphe unless you want to have a heart attack or an accident or most likely both. Don’t let the taxi or airport shuttle take you around it either. (Though if the driver is a Parisian, at least you’ll make it out alive!)

This is my favorite site in Paris—simple, but beautiful.. especially in the snow!

I don’t regret going (we wanted to do at least ONE tourist thing in Paris), but seriously, you can skip it! :)

The “Triomphe” of this monument is making it up the seemingly endless flights of spiral stairs—but the view is worth it.

This was one of my favorite places in Paris. Great views of the Eiffel Tower. I would definitely recommend it!

A widespread rumor I’ve heard about the French is that They are rude. I spent four days there exploring and came into contact with many locals who were eager to help direct me. Not rude in the least.

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