Starting at our hotel near the Louvre, we first visited Sainte-Chapelle built between 1242 and 1248 by Loius IX to house the relics of the passion of Christ, including the Crown of Thorns. From there we walked to the Cathedral de Notre Dame, impressive for its size. The most interesting thing we did was Crypte Archeologique, which told the history of the city of Paris by means of the archeological excavations near the site of the Cathedral and its environs. After a lunch at Saint Jacques cafe, Tim found his France pin for his bike saddle bag, and then we walked to Jardin des Tuileries, the gardens behind the Louvre museum. We had coffee there along with chocolate tarts, and Beth went back to the hotel. Earlier she had fallen, not too long after we had started out, and she wanted to get cleaned up and relax a bit. Tim, Mark and I made the deceptively long walk to the Arc de Triomphe, after which we returned to the hotel. In all we walked 10 miles today, and it feels like it!
The upper chamber of Sainte-Chappelle.
Standing outside the Cathedral de Notre Dame.
The stained glass windows of Saint Severin, which we visited right after lunch. They are notable for their differences with traditional stained glass windows.
Tim, Mark and I standing on Pont Neuf with the Eiffel Tower in the far background. I am glad we didn’t try to walk there!
Tim and I standing inside the Arc de Triomphe.
The right side of the Arc de Triomphe facing toward the Champes des Lices.
A final photo of the Arc de Triomphe before making the long walk back to our hotel.
Tomorrow we all fly home on the same flight.