Last Nap in Paris

It's really hard to believe that the week has already passed.  By now, it's apparent that vacations like this are really just about eating and sleeping with some touristy crap tossed in when it works.

Yesterday, after the morning ritual of sitting at a café and having some caffeine, we were off to the Musee d'Orsay (the would be closed on Monday, so we really had no choice).  This last week has been oddly devoid of crowds.  That was not the case at the d'Orsay.  Every family in Paris spends Sundays at the museum, or so it would seem.  Fortunately, we invested in the Museum Pass (thanks, Rick Steves, for the advice.  While we could have seen more museums, the opportunity to skip the lines to get in was well worth the investment) and were inside in a breeze.  They did a tremendous job using an old train station on the Seine for a gallery of Impressionist art.

 

 

 

After a bit of culture, it was time for a bite.  The restaurant at the museum was art itself (as was the boeuf bourguignon)

The good news was that most of the crowds were obsessing over the Big Name Impressionist exhibit on the top floor and the featured exhibit on Henri Rousseau, affording us the chance to commune with some great art without the hassle of too many people with selfie-sticks (Cathy, no one pays attention to THAT rule!)

Last night, we took the advice of a friend who is a high school French teacher.  Kim has been to Paris dozens of times and finally took a dinner cruise on the Seine.  Loved it.  We decided to take a chance--despite the fear that it would be incredibly cheesy. We opted for a small, old boat called Le Calife.  It is moored 3 blocks from the hotel, across the Seine from the Louvre--beneath the Pont des Arts (they're still working at getting rid of those padlocks that 'lovers' put on the railings).
We boarded around 8:25 and were handed a kir royale and a plate of cheese gougeres (cheesy, yes, but in a good way).  We set sail at 8:50 and the show began.  Paris from the Seine really DOES look different.  The sun had just set when they served the foie gras.

By the time the main courses were being served, the building began to light up

We had already had our cheese course and were enjoying the tarte tatin when we arrived at the Eiffel Tower...and then the show began. (I cannot figure out how to imbed a gif file, so you'll just have to take my word for it...the light show is dazzling)

 

Our last day in Paris and we had one thing left on 'the list' that we'd never done. We'd never done it, of course, because I'm a nutcase and the thought of going to the top of the Eiffel Tower seemed like madness.  After a bit of a queue, we took two elevators and a stairway to reach the open air observation deck.  I wasn't comfortable, but it WAS impressive.  Looking down on Notre Dame made me laugh at how high it had seemed.

 

 

After the descent, it was, of course, time for a little lunch at a neighborhood brasserie, followed by the obligatory shopping.  The last nap is over and we're mulling over where we'll spend our last dinner in Paris (this time...we'll be back).  Tomorrow, Delta willing, we'll be home before sundown. Paris has again proved itself to be a spectacular place to visit.  Now, it's time to head down to the street and bid adieu to The Mayor...