Day 6 - Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe

The kids were very excited to be in Paris. Our first destination - the Eiffel Tower of course! We started from Palais de Chaillot and walked towards the Eiffel Tower. On route, we took a million photos - from afar, from the side, from under. Despite the many photos, we (mum and dad) decided not to go up the tower becasue the queue to go up was just way toooo long. Luckily, we managed to convince the girls not to go up but to go for lunch instead.....I know....bad parents....hehehehe.

From Palais de Chaillot

Although there are lots of good food in and around the Burgundy region, we didn’t managed to time them with our sight seeing. Hence, to make up for this disappointment, Geoff is adamant that we get to eat at a few good restaurants in Paris. So, we forgo climbing the Eiffel Tower and instead had lunch at Les Cocottes de Constant, a more casual restaurant operated by Chef Christian Constant (a Michelin-star chef). The deco is contemporary and food is simple yet wonderful.



After lunch, we went to visit the Arc de Triomphe. The top of the Arc de Triomphe now features a viewing platform. This time, we allowed the kids to go up. The queue is long but manageable. Little did we know that there is no lift and we had to climb the 234 steps to the top! I am so unfit!!! But the view up there is amazing.

Street performers

After some photos from across the street and watching some interesting street performances, we took the underground passage to the Arc de Triomphe.

The 234 steps!!!

The view from the top - via a TV screen

After Arc de Triomphe, we walked down Avenue des Champs Elysees. And here is Andrea fitting right in with the Parisian shopping scene.

And of course we had to stop at Laduree for dessert. When we were in Italy, we sampled gelatos every where we go. In Paris, we sampled macarons instead. The verdict at the end of the trip - Ladureee served the best ones.

That night, we had dinner at Aux Lyonnais which is within walking distance from our apartment. They served tradition French cuisine, rich but excellent.