The iconic Eiffel Tower
The iconic Eiffel Tower

What a difference a year makes! August 2012, I embarked on my first of many European vacations.  I traveled to Paris, France with my daughter and her BFFs. So nice of them to include me, huh?

We all mapped out our spaces and places we just had to experience. Our self-guided tours allowed us to cover the 14 different sightseeing areas during our 12 day stay. SInce learning about France in elementary school and re-watching some of my favorite French movies like An American in Paris,  Midnight in Paris, and  Paris When It Sizzles I was ready to explore all that my eyes could behold.

Who knew that August is when everybody and their mother enjoy a European vacation or “holiday”  or at least it seemed that way. I now understand why Paris is one of the world’s most visited cities, seeing its internationally recognized monuments and museums.  Journey with me as I go down memory lane–minus the masses of people, waiting in long lines and how expensive. I just want to relive the fabulous art at the Louvre, lunches at chic sidewalk cafes, exploring all the artistic treasures, unbelievable architecture, some exquisite retail therapy and the pleasure every morning of biting into a truly French made flaky croissant.

Arrival at the Charles de Gaulle Airport and mode of travel, "The Metro"
Arrival at the Charles de Gaulle Airport and mode of travel in Paris, “The Metro”  AKA subway!

 

Alba Opera Hotel, home away from home
Alba Opera Hotel, home away from home
Street Cafe Dining
Sidewalk Cafe Dining

My fave, the Eiffel Tower

1,000 -ft iron structure
Eiffel Tower, the global cultural icon 1,000 – ft of iron  lattice structure, erected in 1889 as the arch to the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair.
Notre Dame Cathedral, excellent example of French Gothic architecture
Notre Dame Cathedral, excellent example of French Gothic architecture
Sacré-Coeur Basilica, located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city of Paris.
Sacré-Coeur Basilica, located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city of Paris.
The Louvre Palace
The Louvre Palace

 

Love the Louvre
LoveLouvrePicMonkey Collage
Internet photos of Versaille (massive amounts of people, could not get clear shot of front of Versaille or Hall of Mirrors)
Internet photos of Versaille (massive amounts of people, could not get clear shot of front of Versaille or Hall of Mirrors)

 

Galeries Lafayette, upmarket French department store on Boulevard Haussmann. Beautiful glass and steel dome and Art Nouveau staircases. Nighttime on Champs-Élysées, one of the world's most famous boulevards
Galeries Lafayette, upmarket French department store on Boulevard Haussmann. Beautiful glass and steel dome and Art Nouveau staircases.
Nighttime on Champs-Élysées, one of the world’s most famous boulevards
my daughter, Channing at the Lady Di Memorial, Ladurée, home of luxury sweets and inventor of the double-decker macrons and Angélina tea salon.
my daughter, Channing at the Lady Di Memorial, Ladurée, home of luxury sweets and inventor of the double-decker macrons and Angélina tea salon.
Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, We took River Cruise on Seine, and Musée d' Orsay ( Old train station)
Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, We took River Cruise on Seine, and  last day, we went to Musée d’ Orsay ( Old train station)

 

at Palais-Royal Gates, and at Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs Exhibit at Les Arts Decoratifs
at Palais-Royal Gates, and at Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs Exhibit at Les Arts Decorat

 

 

Merci beaucoup Serena, Arianna  and Channing