Two days in Paris

Wednesday was a day of many stairs:  up the Arc de Triomphe, down into the Catacombes, lots of metro stairs. 

We also had a guided tour of the Louvre...the guide had a beautiful way of explaining art.  He said that you often listen to a piece of music over and over because you like the way it makes you feel.  Art is the same way:  go back to the same painting over and over because you like the feelings it evokes. 

We had free time for dinner in the Latin Quarter.  Some people sat down for a traditional 2-3 hour meal, others ate more quickly and went shopping or even bowling. 

Thursday, we started at the Musée d'Orsay, but there were a few strikes going on that day, and the Musée was one of them.  We went to Notre-Dame instead and then up to Montmartre.  We went through Sacré-Coeur and then gave them some time to explore the shops around the Place du Tertre.  We then walked down to the metro, seeing the Moulin de la Galette and the Moulin Rouge on the way.  Lunch and shopping on the Rue de Rivoli after a quick stop to see the Opéra Garnier.  We then made our way back to the Musée d'Orsay and got in this time.  Dinner at Café de Commerce:  potato salad, duck and mashed potatoes, and apple tart.  Then, the grand finale...Up the Eiffel Tower for a nighttime view of Paris.