Thierry's 4 Day Tour de France

Arrived in Paris around 9 a.m. The hotel was not ready so off we went. Sacre Coeur was the first stop. Sacre Coeur also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is the second most visited monument in Paris and guess what you can visit for Free! From the grounds in from of the basilica you are able to get sweeping views of Paris. You are also able to visit the Dome (additional charge) of the basilica but need to climb up 300 steps and there is no lift available.

Next, check in to our room at Le Belleval. Out hotel was located between the 8th arrondissement which was walking distance to the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. There were also serval American restaurant options around here for a quick bite to eat.
After we have all freshened up, we are off once more. We walked over the Palace de la Concord then headed up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe.

The Palace of the Concord (or Palace of the Concordia) was a neoclassical palace located in the city of Paris, France. It was built between 1718 and 1724, and served as a royal residence for the kings of France until the French Revolution. Following the Revolution, the palace was turned into a public park known as the Place de la Concord. The palace was destroyed in 1871 during the Paris Commune.

The Arc de Triomphe is a monument located in Paris, France. It stands at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. It honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The Arc de Triomphe is 50 meters tall and 45 meters wide, making it one of the largest triumphal arches in the world.

We first started at the Eiffel Tower. Standing at 324 meters high the Eiffel tower is the most iconic landmark in Paris. You can take the stairs of elevator to get unforgettable vies of the city. You can purchase your ticket in advance or at the window once you arrive (the former is recommended to avoid long lines during peak season). After clearing security, you will be able to access the lift or stair based on your ticket. Tickets cost about 25€ per adult. There are two options to visit the first is the first level of the Eiffel Tower when provide nice views of the city the next is the top level. This is where you can see panoramic views of the city with no obstructions. Beware of pick pocketers and people selling key chains outside!

The Louvre is one of the world's largest and most famous museums and is located in the heart of Paris, France. It is home to some of the world's most renowned works of art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Visiting the Louvre is an exciting experience and is a must-see when visiting Paris. To visit the Louvre, you will need to purchase a ticket in advance. Tickets are available online or at the museum's ticket office. Make sure to arrive early to avoid long lines and to ensure you get the most out of your visit. To be efficient you may want to make a list of the items you want to see; Hint: Mona Lisa, statue of Venus. There are also guided tours available for an additional fee. The Louvre is open every day of the year except on Tuesdays. The museum is open from 9am to 6pm.

After leaving the Louvre, take a stroll through Jardin des Tuileries. This public garden has plenty of seating to sit and people watch after a long day of walking.

This day was all about the Palace of Versailles. Versailles has its own metro stop. You will want to take the RER C train to Chateau rive Gauche station. Once there you will scan your ticket to exit the train station and walk to the palace. There depending on the queue you will enter and begin your visit.

The Palace of Versailles is a royal chateau built by Louis XIV. The palace covers 800 hectares (2000 acres) of land which include bike trails, gardens, fountains, and a lake! The palace has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its lavish interiors and many works of art. When visiting you can explore the State apartments, Queen’s bedchamber and best of all the Hall of Mirrors. In addition, you can rent a golf cart to really explore the grounds in its full glory.

For dinner we decided to explore the Galleries Lafayette which is a French luxury department store. It is one of the largest department stores in the world and is located on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of the city. The store is known for its selection of fashion, beauty, accessories, and homeware. It also features a gourmet food hall, a beauty spa, and a number of cafes and restaurants. Galleries Lafayette is a popular tourist destination, attracting both locals and visitors from around the world.

Night: went to see the lights for the Eiffel tower. The lights come on every evening from dusk until 11:45 pm. The lights up for about 10 minutes so be on time or you might just miss the show. Tip: the best location to see the show is right outside of Trocadero station – Tracadero Square.

On our last day we decided to take it easy and explore the different areas of Paris with the time we had left.
First the Latin Quarter. The Latin Quarter is a district in the 5th and 6th arrondissements of Paris, France situated on the left bank of the Seine. It gets its name from the Latin language, which was widely spoken in and around the University during the Middle Ages. The Latin Quarter is home to an array of cafés, bookshops, and restaurants, as well as the oldest university in Paris, the Sorbonne.

We visited the Pantheon which is a monument and a mausoleum located in the Latin Quarter of Paris, France. It was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, but it now serves as a burial place for distinguished French citizens. The Pantheon is now a secular building and is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. It is also the final resting place of some of France's most famous citizens, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Louis Braille, and Jean Moulin.

Next, Notre Dame. Notre Dame de Paris is a medieval Catholic cathedral located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France. It is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world, and it is a popular tourist attraction in Paris, drawing more than 13 million visitors a year. The cathedral was built in the 12th and 13th centuries and is the seat of the archbishop of Paris.