Paris Day 3

We started our Sunday in Paris by packing our suitcases and then having breakfast at a bakery near our hotel.  Our flight was not until 9:40 PM so we had plenty of time. During our cruise on the Bataeu marche, the guide pointed out the different bridges in Paris where couples have locked their love through padlocks on the wire bridges.  The first time I saw one of those bridges I mistakenly thought that the locks were gold leaf designs on the bridges.  But on closer inspection, they were the numerous locks glinting in the sun.  We went around the stores to find a padlock and only found a small gold one.  However, it had 3 keys, so one for Michael, Connor, and I.  The tradition is to write on the lock, lock it on the bridge and throw away the key in the river - hence sealing your love forever in Paris. 

On our way to one of the bridges on the Seine, we came across a random little park with benches shaped like open books and a towering fountain. 


Connor trying to climb one of the book benches



Connor running around in the park

Connor loves fountains so we stopped in the park to let him run around and play. He was fascinated with the fountain and liked chasing the pigeons that were gathered around.  

You can see the delight in his face over the fountain



"What's that?" Connor's favorite phrase right now

He then came across a aluminum panel on the floor of the park that made noise every time he stepped on it so he played there for a while. 


Our lock and keys - one for each of us

We then reached one of the bridges and found a good place to put our lock.  We each took turns throwing away our key and I'm curious if it will be there when we come back again.  

Our lock on the bridge



Michael throwing his key



Connor helping me throw my key



Cheesy family picture :-D



Looking at our lock

Admiring the locks on the bridge

After the bridge we went to the Tuileries Garden next to the Lourve Museum.  A lot of people were relaxing around the many squares in the gardens so we decided to sit in the chairs and just enjoy the breeze and the view.  Connor was already taking a nap so the whole family took a little nap in the outdoors.  It was wonderful. 



Relaxing

When everyone woke up, we went to the Place de la Concorde which was the place of the guillotine executions.  There is a fountain, statues and an obelisk in its place. 



You can also see right to the Arc de Triomphe from the Place de la Concorde. 


Looking at the different bridges along the Seine



In front of Pont Alexandre III bridge - most famous bridge in Paris

Pont Alexandre III Bridge

We went back to the Eiffel tower area and brought Connor to play in one of the playgrounds.


Fun at the playground

We walked around some more and then took the metro back to our hotel around 6:30 to take a bus from the hotel to the airport. I was surprised at how little restaurants were in the Paris airport but maybe we were in a small terminal.  We got some food from a little stand and ate at our gate.  There was a nice little play area for kids next to our gate so Connor had some more fun there.  We were thinking Connor would sleep on the flight back but he refused to sleep during the whole flight.  I think it had to do with the airplane having the cabin lights on during the entire flight. 
We caught the Aircoach from the Dublin airport to Merrion Square and walked a few minutes to our apartment.  The Aircoach stop is right next to our doorstep.  I was pretty exhausted after our flight and we went right to sleep and it was back to work and daycare the next day.

The trip was fantastic and we definitely want to go back again while we are here.  Maybe we can go back to Paris a few more times.  I really love the city and the relaxing life style.  If I had all the money that I needed and could live anywhere in the world, I would definitely be living in Paris. 

Au revoir (for now), my friends!