(This is a long one - just warning you.)

When we arrived in Paris it was dark, but the city was aglow in beautiful lights. 

Our hotel was up one of the little streets from the Rue de Rivolli, a long street that runs parallel from the Tuileries Gardens, with very posh shops and restaurants.

Our hotel was beautiful Hotel Mayfair.

Welcome.

It had the smallest old-fashioned elevator. It was barley large enough to fit both Eric and I. 

We had a lovely dinner of boeuf bourguignon and very friendly French men at Lescure Restaurant near our hotel.

We then we headed out for a night on the town!

We walked along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower, over to the Arc de Triomphe and down the grandiose Avenue des Champs Elysees.

As we were walking towards the Eiffel Tower it started sparkling! 

So romantic!

This is a replica of the Statue of Liberty's torch called 'Flame of Liberty'. It is a full-sized, gold-leaf-covered replica of the torch flame carried in the hand of the Statue of Liberty. We didn't go out of our way to see it - we just stumbled upon it. The flame became an unofficial memorial to Princes Diana after her death in the tunnel beneath the Pont de l'Alma. (side note: speaking of royalty, did you hear? There is going to be a royal wedding! Prince William is engaged! It's all the talk here and everyone is so excited!) 

The Arc de Triomphe is huge! They were preparing for Armistice Day the following morning and had candlelights and wreaths surrounding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

It was nice because we had the entire monument to ourselves. 

It could be because it was so freakin' cold! 

This is the Citron showroom on Champs Elysees. 

It was on Eric's list of buildings he wanted to see. 

It was pretty cool.

The next morning we arranged to meet my parents for breakfast. They were still suffering from jet lag - those oldies - and were still sleeping. So, Eric and I ended up going to breakfast without them to a posh place the hotel recommended - we should have known better. It was pricey! But so good! 

The remnants of a delicious pan au chocolate from Angelina.

After, we all braved the rain and walked to the Louve.

We decided to hit the top things we wanted to see.

It was a good strategy, especially since we didn't have weeks to tour the place. I heard it would take 9 months to see everything!

Here is the room of the Mona Lisa.

We've heard mixed reviews but I really enjoyed seeing it - despite the mass of people I had to elbow through. That combat class is paying off!

There she is. 

Well, on to the next item on the list...

...'The Lace Maker' by Jan Vermeer...

...Monets...

...King tut...

...and many, many others. 

The Louve pyramid by I.M. Pei - it was a main attraction for the kids.

Notre Dame was next on the agenda.

Then, on to Centre Pompedue. A modern art museum, library, and music research center designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers.

The building had the most fun escalators that were in tunnels on the exterior of the building. It was a good place to get out of the rain with a few art pieces worth seeing.

This was just some random, silly art piece on a street. It was a prime photo op.

Hi mom! I don't think your umbrella is going to hold up much longer.

The next day was back to the Eiffel Tower - but to go in it this time!

(and a little smooch)

We found a nice boulangere shop down the street to pick up breakfast beforehand. It's a pretty nice spot for a picnic.

The top was closed because of the wind so we were only able to go to the second tier.

But it still had a wonderful view.

As we were walking towards the Musee du Quai Branly there was the most eco-friendly building - it was growing a nice salad garden on its side. Just kidding - I think it was mostly moss.

Quai Branly - it's an African museum but we didn't really had time to see the inside - it was mostly the outside we were interested in. 

My poor parents, getting dragged around to all of these architecture sites.

Well, they had to go back because their flight out was the next morning from London. We said a quick farewell - which was best because otherwise I would have started crying. But, we'll also see them in a few months anyway so it really wasn't that bad. 

So, after they left Eric and I made our way to the Basilica in Montmartre. Mass was being held and the nuns were singing. It was a lovely night and relaxing after the pounding rain of the day.

We found a nice restaurant for dinner. 

We have no idea what anything is when we order because the menus are all in french. It's always an adventure seeing what will arrive at our table. Will it be snails? Some sort of fish? Well, since boeuf bourguignon is really the only thing I can interpret I ordered that. It was delish. Eric was more adventurous and ordered what ended up being foie gras. Neither of us had tried this before. I know - a bit sheltered in the food world. I was surprised how sweet it tasted. I thought it would be dry and taste like tuna. It was actually nice but I couldn't get past the idea that it's goose liver. Then, the waiter brought out a plate of raw meats. The look on Eric's face was, 'well, i'm going to try and be open to this - it's fine'.  But then, when the waiter brought over a little stone to cook the meat on Eric was elated and no longer had food envy for my bourguignon. 

A favorite part of each vacation is walking around the cities at night and seeing them in a different light. Paris did not disappoint. Even the metro entrances are enchanting!

Sniffing out a nice chocolate shop.

And no trip to Paris would be complete without a stop at the Moulin Rouge!

I couldn't justify paying 150 euros for a ticket to see girls swing their titties around and shaking their booties at me. Eric could, but the 'no fun' wife didn't. 

I gave him a little show on the corner so he didn't feel too left out. 

I got some odd looks.

I felt embarrassed.

And I scurried away.

Fast.

Okay, the next day we went to La Defense.

It's the business district with massive buildings.

Most famous is the Grande Arche.

It really is Grand. 

I got dizzy looking straight up and tipped over.

I hate it when that happens.

 Can I get a thumbs up?!
This was a fun piece.

The Christmas market was being constructed.

It was a sad day knowing I would miss a good Christmas market here.

This is a church in the Defense area. 

I can't remember who designed this one. 

But do you really care anyway? 

Probably not.

'Eric, I'm being such a good sport. Can we go get a crepe?'

'Maybe a ride on the carousel?'

After La Defense we got back on the metro - again, and headed to Poissy. A small residential town outside the city of Paris.
Our destination and Eric's school boy fantasy:
Villa Savoye

The house was designed by non-other than Le Corbusier. 

It's a pivotal mark in the history of architecture because it addressed the 'Five Points of Architecture'

1. ground-level supporting columns

2. flat-roof terrace

3. free plan by elimination of load-bearing walls

4. horizontal windows

5. free-flowing facade

He was seriously in heaven here and was shooting photos galore.

To have a home like this in the 1930's was pretty impressive. It was originally for the wealthy Savoye family and was designed so he could pull his fashionable car into the garage and be able to turn it around in a full circle.

So posh.

It has been refurbished since its original build in the 1930's.

It had become a barn for wandering cows at one point.

 Oh Eric, you minx!

It's evening and once again time for a stroll.

On the way back to our hotel we walked past the Louve to get a few night shots. 

We still have yet to master the art of photos at night. Especially when a tripod is unavailable. 

Most of our photos turn out blurry.

Or we end up in awkward positions.

So, for the very last day I HAD to purchase macaroons from Laduree. One of the poshest places for tea and french macaroons. Photos were not allowed inside - even though they charge £££ bookah bucks for their fair.

Bibliotheque National de France was the next thing we tried to squeeze in the day.

Another massive structure.

It is comprised of four identical L-shaped towers and contains more than ten million volumes! 

It was a controversial building because many thought it was too expensive to house books. Wooden boards had to be installed to protect all of the books from the sunlight. 

On to the metro - again to see the Arab World Institute designed by Jean Nouvel.

The main wall is comprised of polygons of varying shapes and sizes to create a geometric effect recalling the Alhambra.

These mechanisms change shape and form depending on the light shining through.

I said it was time for another crepe.

I found this cute little guy and ordered the only thing I new the translation of: nutella and banana.

I wish these were on the corners of the streets in Utah. 

Maybe I could put this little guy in my pocket and take him home with me.

Okay, we're almost near the end.

I've just realised that this blog is only about architecture and food.

I'm sorry.

So, we're now walking to our last destination before we had to catch the Eurostar back. 

As were were walking along towards the Parc de la Villette we saw that this creative structure was a Holiday Inn! 

Good job Holiday Inn for trying something other than the boring block structure! 

It's a tree house! 

This really wasn't the most fun walk.

I was beginning to whinge.

This park was massive and I wish we would have gone here first. We had about 30 minutes before we had to leave by the time we arrived. 

We sped walked around the fun red walkways.

We literally had three minutes before our train left the Eurostation after picking up our bags from the hotel and getting on the metro yet again.

But, we made it.

Here is my souvenir from Paris:

Beautiful packaging.

Mouthwatering macaroons.

Thank you Paris for a lovely visit.