Europe // Paris: Exploring Île de le Cité

Monday, July 6, 2015

This day was so lovely! One of the things I had most been looking forward to this trip was exploring this beautiful island smack in the middle of Paris. So much incredible history and stunning architecture.
First stop was Sainte-Chapelle cathedral. Oh. my. word. This place seemed like a dream.
This place was on my bucket list ever since I learned about it in my humanities class at BYU. This church is an absolutely stunning example of gothic architecture, and has some of the most beautiful stained glass in the world!
I thought I kinda/sorta knew what to expect from seeing pictures, but I. was. floored. It was one of the most beautiful things my eyeballs have ever seen. I didn't want to ever leave. 
Back outside, seeing the exterior of the chapel. Also gorgeous!
 ^^^ Ryan says I can't have this as my driveway entrance to our future home. ): Boo.
Next we walked to Notre Dame. Oh I love these streets!
Ryan can attest that I wanted to stop and look at every single window that had red flowers. [: They were my favorite!!
The beautiful Notre Dame!
The exterior was so intricately decorated.
But then we walked inside. Cue my jaw hitting the floor.
What a stunningly beautiful and reverent place. Wow. Visiting here was so wonderful! We were also lucky to be visiting during mass, so every visitor was extra quiet as we walked around and listened to the words and music echo off the towering walls around us.
Back outside, we decided to take a peek inside a massive tent in the square outside the cathedral. And luck of all luck, it was a straight-up FRENCH BREAD FESTIVAL. In other words, heaven. I had my first fresh-from-the-oven-in-actual-France baguette and oh my goodness... No words. Ryan got video footage that I'll share a little later! There's even a part where you can hear the perfect crunch of the crust and I'm pretty sure I drool every time I watch it.
Full of bread and very happy. [:
^^ Ahh the red flowers!!
Walking around the back of the cathedral. It's so cool from every angle! ALSO, a Paris tip: There is a FREE BATHROOM behind Notre Dame. No joke. It is a little shack, and it's not the prettiest, but it is 100% free. So for anyone who is reading this, you're welcome.
Next was lunch time. We had packed a lunch and planned to find a cool place along the Seine to eat. So we set out in search said cool place.
Found it on the very tip of the Île de le Cité, Pont Neuf. 
So peaceful and so pretty.
Then we walked west to visit the beautiful Pont Alexander III. This was something I was so excited to see!
Looking back on where we sat. ^^ The perfect place.
We also passed lots of souvenir vendors selling keychains and knick knacks, but we were drawn to a man standing by some beautiful watercolor paintings of French buildings he had done. Laura and I both bought some and I am so in love with mine!
Passing the Louvre. ^^
And my museum. [: ^^
*sigh*
Pont Alexander III. This bridge makes me swoon. Ahh so romantic.
We took the metro back home, relaxed for a bit, and then all went back to the delicious place that Ryan and I ate at before! Of COURSE we needed more truffade.
I sure loved this day.

No comments:

 

Blog Design by Nudge Media Design | Powered by Blogger