Just another day in Paris

Our clocks were still tuned into travel mode and we woke up at 7am and were out the door by 7.45am.  We decided to walk to the Galleries Lafayette but unfortunately we were way too early and nothing was open.  Instead, we picked up a croissant from an outdoor stall and were quickly disappointed.  I just don't think any croissant can ever live up to the perfect one we had at the patisserie across the street from Laduree.

From the Galleries Lafayette, we started making our way to Rue Cler.  I read online that Rue Cler is an open air market and I really wanted to check it out.  However, before we got there, we found the Veteran Hospital.  No, I am not kidding, that really is a VA Hospital.  La Jolla, you should be ashamed of yourself!

The garden behind the VA Hospital

One of the shops on Rue Cler.  All the produce looked amazing.  This is one of the places I would shop if I lived in Paris.

From there, we went to the Eiffel Tower.  But that deserves it's own post.

The Champs Elysees was next on our list.  Yes, we pack in ALOT in one day.  That's what happens when you only have 3 1/2 days in the most beautiful city. 

 The Arc de Triumph.  How beautiful is the inside of the arc?

We strolled the Champs Elysees, popping into a store here or there.  Ron started to get hungry but I refused to eat at the restaurants because they all seemed to be Italian!  How is it that we are in Paris and on one of the most iconic streets and all they serve is Italian food?  I was in Paris and I wanted French food.  Unfortunately, we couldn't find a place that looked good and Ron started to get cranky. 

We decided to take the train back as Ron was starving and losing patience by the second.  What we didn't realize was that the little train station did not have an operator and we did not have any coins to purchase tickets.  Instead of finding a store to buy something to get change, Ron threw a temper tandrum and wanted to walk home.  This was a very long way home.

We passed by these on our walk home

Halfway back to our hotel in the 5th district, we came across a French bistro.  I finally got to order my French onion soup.

Ron's roast chicken and "French" fries

Still walking home