Large and Shiny Objects

Friday I woke up feeling the start of a cold, but wouldn’t let it get the best of me. We had our IES “Welcome Lunch” on the Eiffel Tower at Altitude 95 (The restaurant on the first landing). It was very delicious! After that, Abbey, Brad and I tackled the stairs and climbed up to the second landing – it was a little more than I had bargained for, but we all survived. The view was excellent and we decided we didn’t need to pay 4.20 euro to go up to the top (the school had only bought us tickets to make it up to the first landing…). IES had also given us tickets to take one of the tour busses that go around the city and stop at all of the famous tourists sites. In theory you get off at each one and then get back on when you’re done looking (the ticket is valid for 2 days). We were feeling to lazy to get off at any of the stops, but sat on the top level (they’re double decker busses with an open upper level) and took lots of pictures and listened to the descriptions of all the sights. By the time we got off the bus we were hungry again and decided to do dinner together and pick what sights we wanted to the next day for the “Journées du Patrimoine.”

*** The Journées du Patrimoine is a weekend where all of these national sighs are opened and entrance is free. Not only can you go to your normal assortment of museums and old buildings, but also some sights that are closed to the public the rest of the year are open especially for this weekend.

Today I woke up at 6am to try to get to the Palais d’Eylsée (Presidential Palace) before the crowds. The building is not normally open to the public, so everyone wants to see it this weekend. I got there a little before 8 and found a long line, but not as long of a line as it was 40 min. later when Abbey and Brad arrived. Luckily they were both able to cut in line with me so we could go in together. I spend an hour and a half in line outside the gates and then a little more than 2 hours in line in the Palace gardens. It was quite the wait, but people had told us we would wait in line 4-5 hours and we made it in under 4 so I was proud. We also got quite the surprise while waiting in line. President Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni showed up in the garden! I made it within 4 feet of him and got a pretty good picture of the two together. When we finally made it into the building, it was quite lovely – well except for the one room and hallway that had been redecorated in 1970’s modern fashion. The palace reminded all of us of a miniature Versailles. We made our way through the many rooms, including the President’s personal and official offices and also got to see a display of presidential vehicles throughout the years.

After the Eylsée, we headed to Les Invalides and took a break on the lawn to ease the pain from standing for so long. After that we got some lunch and Abbey and Brad went to the Army Museum while I went in search of a toilet and then Napoleon’s tomb. Last on my list for the day was the Bacarat Museum, which was very sparkly and made appeased my affinity for shiny objects. It was then time to head home and rest as I could feel my cold resurfacing. Tomorrow is another day of braving lines and people to enjoy the last day of the Journées du Patrimone!

Pictures linked to title of post!