To the Top of the World

Well, not exactly the top of the world but the top of Paris.  We started this morning looking through a farmer's market that appeared at the top of our hill around the metro station.  We saw a rabbit that still had his fur, lots of chickens that still had some of their head and tail feathers, giant squid, crabs cut in half, sea urchins, and beautiful fruit and flowers along with scarves, gloves, jewerly. 

This was not our mission for the day, so off we went.  We took the metro with the children for the first time - they seemed to enjoy not having to walk.

When we reached our destination metro we got out to realize we would be facing into the sun while walking toward the Eiffel Tower.  We took pictures anyway but they are just not the same... which is not a bad thing.

 I quickly joined the line while dad and the boys enjoyed being under the Eiffel.  I sent the boys to see if the other tower was open - it was and there was NO line - I dropped my spot and off we went.  Up to the second landing and LOTS of pictures... we were not sure if all of us wanted to head to the top. After a while, we all committed. We got tickets to the top and joined the line - it actually moved faster than I anticipated.  At the top we could see people looking like ants on the bridge.  We watched the soccer game from both levels.  Then the trip down and down again. 

It was approaching lunch when we reached the ground again so off we went for lunch.  A friend had suggested Cafe Constant and are we glad he did - we dined on sea urchins, partridge, duck, scallops, brain, tongue, pumpkin soup, lobster ravoli.  YUMMY!!!

We wandered over to the musee de l'armee and spent MUCH time studying all the armour... we struggled with our camera settings (they don't allow a flash in the museum).

  After the armor we headed to Napoleon's tomb

and the Chapel St Louis. 

We then headed back into the museum to the WWI and WWII exhibts.  There was something going on in the courtyard with miltary displays - if we spoke french we may have had a clue what was going on. 

We saw horses, salutes, bands, big gun....  at this point we were done and began our walk home.