Our last full day in Paris started off at the Orangerie Museum. We had a local guide at the Orangerie. Here we viewed Monet’s famous Water Lilies painting, as well as paintings from Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, Utrillo and Cézanne. After the Orangerie, we had the rest of the day to ourselves, until it was time for our last group dinner.
My dad, sister and I headed to the Rodin Museum. The Rodin Museum is a large mansion in which Rodin lived and worked. It now houses many of his works and sketches. In the garden, you will find his famous statue Le Penseur (The Thinker).
After the Rodin Museum, we headed to Napoleon’s Tomb. Napoleon’s tomb is located in Les Invalides church, under the golden dome. His body was exhumed from its original burial site, and brought here in 1840.
My dad, sister and I headed to the Rodin Museum. The Rodin Museum is a large mansion in which Rodin lived and worked. It now houses many of his works and sketches. In the garden, you will find his famous statue Le Penseur (The Thinker).
After the Rodin Museum, we headed to Napoleon’s Tomb. Napoleon’s tomb is located in Les Invalides church, under the golden dome. His body was exhumed from its original burial site, and brought here in 1840.
We finished up at Napoleon’s tomb, and grabbed some lunch at a local café. My dad and sister were ready to put their feet up for a while before we had to go to our last dinner as a group. I was not ready to call it a day yet. I hopped on the Métro, and headed back to Notre-Dame. I stood in line, and used my museum pass to ascend all 387 steps of the South Tower (there is no elevator). After 240 steps of the spiral staircase, I reached my first vantage point. Here I got up close and personal with the famous gargoyles. I also took in beautiful views of Paris. I could see the Eiffel Tower in the distance, and got a sense that these gargoyles were watching over the city. I could also see the belfry at this level. Then, I ascended another 140 steps up the spiral staircase to the top of Notre-Dame. Here, I walked around the top, and witnessed a beautiful 360 degree view of Paris. One of the best views in the city! I only got 10 minutes at the top, so I took as many pictures as I could. At least walking down 387 steps was a little easier.
After Notre-Dame, I headed to Arc de Triomphe. I used my museum pass, and this time walked up only 284 steps to get to the top. Sure there was an elevator, but I wanted to make things challenging. I got to the top just before sunset. This was probably my favorite view of all of Paris. Especially when the Eiffel Tower lights came on, and the lights of the Ferris wheel of the Champs Elysees were on, and all of the car lights driving to and from was quite a site. I stayed up there for almost an hour. I took a lot of selfies while I was there because I was so obsessed with the background. I then descended the stairs, and headed towards Pont de L’Alma.
I did not cross the bridge, but I did find a perfect location to watch the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower at 6 PM. Every hour on the hour between 6 PM and 1AM, there are flashing lights for 10 minutes. I was able to get a few selfies with the lights twinkling, and then some of the Eiffel Tower with the reflection of the lights on the Seine River. As soon as the lights turned off, I booked it back to the hotel. I didn’t want to be late for our last dinner.
My dad, sister and I took the Métro to the last supper. It was nice to get together with everyone for one last time. We shared stories of our adventures, and the many ways that people try to pick pocket in this city (If someone asks you to sign a petition or they say that they found your ring, try to ignore them. If they ask if you speak English, just say “no”). We had cheese, wine, quiche and local seafood. It was a nice and relaxing evening. Just what everyone needed to end the tour. Our guide even gave us all a photo that she had taken of everyone in front of the Le Mur des je t’taime. We then headed back to the hotel on the Métro for the last time.