Paris - Day 4 - Versailles, Museums, Arc de Triomphe

Another jam-packed day for the Three Muskateers. Though it was later than we wanted (in trade for more sleep) we headed out to Versailles on the RER and spent half the day there. Holy cow! That place is huge and incredible. At least we finally had warmer weather, sunshine and blue skies - finally. I wish the gardens were flourishing and the fountains were running, but with photos I had seen and a bit of imagination, I could see it. Even without everything in bloom, the property and gardens were gorgeous. I was amazed by the building and the structure itself. Keira loved seeing all the fancy beds and rooms.

Approaching Versailles

An organist played a haunting melody

The hall of mirrors was gorgeous

Giant painting - Coronation of Napoleon and Empress Josephine (I think)

Outside the golden gates

The rest of the afternoon and early evening were spent going through the Musee d'Orsay, adding our lock to the collection of locks on one of the many bridges covered in locks (despite Parisians growing disdain for them), a park, and the Orangerie. We couldn't take pictures in the Orsay or the Orangerie, so don't have any to show, but they were both covered with the Museum Pass. Yay! Of all the museums I enjoyed the Orangerie the most as Monet's Water Lilies were gorgeous - spanning enormous walls throughout. It was fun for Keira to see as well. She learned a lot about Van Gogh and Monet in art class at school. We even picked up a Monet bookmark for her art teacher.

Outside the Musee d'Orsay

Our lock - more to leave our mark than "locking our love"

This is at the Pont Solferino near the Orsay

Carousel in the Jardin des Tuileries

Even dad enjoyed the spinning teacup on the carousel

Having fun jumping on the trampolines in the park

Deep in thought - how Parisian

After the jam-packed morning and afternoon we went back to the hotel to rest for about an hour. Then we headed out again to conquer the Arc de Triomphe (pun intended) and Champs Elysees. It turns out there was some big meeting between France and China so some of the stops were closed on the metro, as were sections of the street of the Champs Elysees. Fortunately we were able to walk the full length - just sections of the street were closed off. Once again we climbed the Arc de Triomphe. I don't know how many stairs, but compared to Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, I'd guess about 300 steps or so - a lot of them. Once again, Mark and Keira got to the top without issue. I welcomed the short stop at about 250 stairs before continuing the rest of the way to the top. 

The traffic mess in the round about below the Arc de Triomphe.
You can see the empty, closed streets of the Champs Elysees.

The Arc de Triomphe - monumental indeed!

The most profitable McD's belongs to the one on the Champs Elysees

Place de la Concorde