I've fallen in love with Paris

Snails? No...in France it is ESCARGOT! Seriously??? Well, actually they are quite delightful...I'm not joking...and I would actually order them again! I'm so cultured now! Look at me stepping out of my Canadian comfort zone.
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The beginning of my Contiki trip! Paris is our first stop on our tour. And, we arrived after a long day of traveling by bus and ferry to France and most importantly romantic Paris. We began our tour with a night tour of Paris and saw all the famous sights all lite up - which included the Eiffel Tower that had glowing lights on it. It was fabulous and one of the best nights of my tour. There are so many things to see in Paris, and if you don't feel like touring you can just sit out in one of the cafes that line the streets.

My picture of the Mona Lisa...yes, I was trying to take an illegal picture of the infamous painting...when someone walked in front of my camera and then a security guard came over and made me put my camera away. Ah well...I bought a postcard! And, her eyes did follow me for the record!
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Our first day of touring on our own included: climbing the Arc De Triomphe, walking down the ritzy Champs Elysees street, stopping by the Louvre Museum to see the Mona Lisa and other beautiful paintings and sculptures, walking along the river and making our way to the Notre Dame Cathedral, then walking back to the Swiss Gates to finish our day. Ok...most walking in one day so far on my trip (and still holding the current record!). By the end I wanted to be carried. But, we survived. That night we headed out for a French dinner, some French wine, and a cabaret show. It was a great evening to meet my fellow travelers.

Spectacular sights in Paris!

Along the river in Paris - which was just gorgeous - despite the clouds!
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The next day we headed out to Versailles and visited a giant palace that was home to Marie Antoinette ('let them eat cake') and one of the many Louis' in French history. It was ENORMOUS! And, had terrific gardens as well. It was so large it made you kind of nauseous. Then we traveled back to Paris to take a lift up to the top of the Eiffel Tower to check out the amazing views of Paris and then we fit in a little shopping and visited a smaller Cathedral that had spectacular stained glass windows - St. Chappelle. So, it was another busy day out and about in town.