Is she smiling?

So two years ago when we visited Paris we intended on going to the Louvre on a Tuesday... well that didn't happen because the Louvre is most definitely closed on Tuesdays. So maybe it wasn't the best idea to ignore the fine print on our Paris Pass, but sure enough two years later we had arrived!

With our audio guides in hand, which were hightech nintendo 3DS's we started the tour. Well sure enough 10 minutes in we had to use the restroom and as usual the women's line was out the door. Then not even five minutes in, the paramedics rushed over...some lady had a heat stroke in 1 of the 3 stalls- which wasn't helping the line sitch. Bathroom break out of the way we went to resume our tour...ok this was easier said then done. The DS tracks your location, but since we got off track it got all confused, then we got confused when really an 8 year old these days could of figured it out.
 This confusion gave us mere 30 minute delay but we were eventually back on our way through the highlights of the museum. This museum is so large, impressive and overwhelming it can be quite exhausting. Then of course came Leonardo's masterpiece, The Mona Lisa.

 Now to see this painting be prepared to wiggle your way through the largest crowd in the museum, like I'm not kidding these tourists give paparazzi a run for the money with the amount of picture taking going on. No joke, I was actually tired by the time I made it to the front and back out alive. What I did find fascinating, for the few seconds I was able to be near it, was her smile. This smile is a smile known around the world and is one of the reasons it is the most famous painting. Although I did love the painting and admiring it in person, I am more on the claustrophobic side so I was ready to hightail it out of the tour groups and not to mention hot room! One of my other favorite things was the The Napoleon III Apartments, and talk about no crowds! All in all the Louvre was the most impressive museum and collection of art I have ever seen to date, but it definitely can not all be seen in one visit! 

To calm our art overload we took a stroll through the Tuileries Gardens, directly across from the Louvre, and found a nice cafe to stop and have lunch at.

For lunch we ordered a caesar salad, and flatbread crostinis  with melted cheese layered with salmon and topped with arugula. I seriously could of eaten two of them it was so delicious! 

                      We finished off the day with the Musée de l'Orangerie, which is famous for Monet's Water lilies.
Definitely a must see! They were so impressive and large and unlike anything I have ever seen! Then when the sky cleared up we went and walked around the Invalides property towards our hotel. For our last dinner we didn't venture to far from out Hotel! We had a scrumptious fromage plate and some crepes for dessert! We even had a nice creepy guy watch over the restaurant the entire night! But he was harmless so they let him be, but I'm telling you that guy would not lose in a staring contest. Then some drinks later it was cheers to a great night and a Au Revoir Paris!