Okay, so today let's explore Paris.





Probably since I was about 12 years old, I've been dying to visit the Louvre.





Fifteen years later, and I finally made it!





There's so much to look at just on the exterior, that it must've taken us over a half hour before we finally went inside.



Once inside, there are hallways of art as far as the eye can see... but of course.



And it's all divided up by era or location, or painting vs. sculpture, etc.









Even the ceilings are super elaborate works of art.



Apparently Napoleon used to live in a wing of the Louvre, which has been well preserved.



I was so proud to have recognized this painting from my grade 11 art class. Caravaggio was one of my favourite artists at the time. I don't know if I just really liked his work, or all the stories about what a hot-headed lunatic he was.



Here are some more fabulous paintings... Some of which you may recognize.











And of course...



As well as the other famous piece that attracts throngs of crowds.



The next day we paid a visit to the massive Pere Lachaise Cemetery.



The cemetery map points out around 100 famous resting places of prestigious authors, musicians, artists, and doctors, etc., but of course the most visited plot is that of a talented American drunk... Jim Morrison.



After touring the cemetery, we made our way down to the Eiffel Tower.



Where we met up with two of my old friends from back home, who had arrived in Paris a couple days earlier.



After a three hour picnic spent catching up, we said goodbye to the Eiffel Tower....



And hello to the Arc de Triomphe.



With his new shoes killin' his feet, J decided to return to our hotel so I could have a little quality time exploring with my girls.



We did a little souvenir browsing.



And then we headed up to the Sacre Coeur, which was more amazing than we had expected. We heard that it was where people went to drink wine on a hill... Now looking back, I can't believe how ignorant we were. We obviously didn't do our research first. It was far more amazing than some grassy ol' hill, with an incredible church gracing its peak. (Which we weren't allowed to take pictures of inside.)



And gosh, the view... well, I just wish that J would've come along.



On our way back to the hotel, we stopped to buy some cheap scarves. Seems that everyone wears a scarf in Paris, so we thought it'd be a fun souvenir.



Next stop, the final chapter -- Amsterdam. And then I can finally return to my regularly scheduled blogging. :)