Museum day

Day 5.....This day we are doing museums. I'm going to have to remove a few places from the itinerary but want us to get the most out of it. We find a location that sells museum passes. We only need to buy 2 because my son being under 16 years old can get into most places free. Well, I still haven't found a working ATM and only have US cash on me. The museum pass location does not take US cash, so Visa it is. We leave there and head to Saint Chapelle.

Saint Chapelle is a MUST visit in Paris. It is a beautiful old church. The first floor is mostly a gift shop, then you go up this steep and winding staircase (my son wears a size 16 shoe, it wasn't easy for him) and get to the top of this great room. There are floor to ceiling stained glass windows and candle chandeliers (replicas of real candles used in the past). The walls are covered with carvings of bible stories. Thsi was done because at that time people could not read so they were able to read the bible this way. It is supposed to be a place of quiet and reflection but the loud tourists ruin that. The employees are constantly shushing the toursits and camera flashes don't cease. We find the sortie and head down a narrow winding staircase...slowly so my son doesn't trip over his feet.

Next we go to La Conciergerie. There is a replica of Maria Antoinette's jail cell and lots of history. Before we get there, we stop by a room that has a list of everyone who was executed by guillotine. Three of the four walls in the room are covered. People come here and look to see if any of their ancestors are on the list. I'm of Native American descent, so none of my family is there.

Then we go to Notre Dame. There was an African guy outisde selling Eiffel Tower keychains, 10 for 1EU. Sounds like a deal to me. I buy about 30...souvenir gifts done...at a discount price. We go into Notre Dame. Because of the time they are no longer doing tours to the top. We notice there is a church service going on, so we stop and attend the church service. It was beautiful...except for the rude tourists who wouldn't be respectful and stop snapping pictures and wouldn't shut up. AFter the service we leave Notre Dame to the tourists.

Then we decide to take the train to Versailles. Part of the metro is still under repair, so we catch the free bus in St. Michel and go to the stop next to the Invalides to find the connection. We find the connection and get on the train to Versailles.

It was a smooth ride. On the way we see a replica of the Statue of Liberty. We get off in Versailles. It is late in the day now and the last train back to Paris is leaving in 30 minutes. We didn't get to go to the castle or the gardens...damn damn damn.

Now everybody is leaving Versailles, so the train is FULL, like barely standing room only. And at every stop when you think one more person cannot fit on, well they squeeze themselves on anyway. Ugh, I hate this. We finally get back to Paris (about 30 minutes) and catch the bus back to St. Michel and walk back to Les Halles and the hotel.

Tomorrow is our last full day, so we have to fit in what we can...I had to take the Catacombs off my list. (sad face)