More HoppingOnHoppingOff, Trip on the Seine, Sainte Chapelle's stain glass, St=Germain, Ave des Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe

Started out the day with the kids getting breakfast at McDonalds.  We learned first hand that milk is served hot (chaud) here.  Our HopOnHopOff privileges end tomorrow, so we decided to take advantage again today.  The tour stop closest to our hotel is the Arc de Triomphe.    And it was an absolutely gorgeous day today.  Perfect 70 degree weather.

 

More than just egg mcmuffin for breakfast here at McDonalds

 

We took an hour cruise up and down the Seine.  It was very relaxing.  We had terrific views of Notre Dame, pretty bridges (Pont Neuf), and the French architecture.

Notre Dame

 

 

Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

banks of the Seine

 

lots of book stalls and painters along the Seine



 

The line to see Notre Dame was llllooooonnnngggg.  Like we're talking a couple of hours.  So we decided to skip that.  I wanted to see the stained glass windows at Sainte Chapelle.  This line was like 20 minutes, but it seemed like 3 hours.  We have the double-secret "Crown Room-ish" tickets for jumping the queue.  However, there was no CR passage to this venue.  People behaved like a Delta flight delayed 4 times b/c of mechanical problems - panicked, sneaking into earlier times zones - like the plane was, leaving without  them. .......Anyway: the initial show was such a let down:  "We waited for THIS?!?

 

 

 

Then we found the stairs to "the heart".  Then we were rewarded with scenes like this:

 

 

 

Sainte Chapelle

 

Sainte Chapelle - Known for it's stained glass

 



 





As an added bonus, the kids said "Take your time, Laura!  This place has Wi-Fi!"

 

And how about this shot! 

 

 

Rodin's

 

 

Really nice day. A very full, really nice day.