The River Seine

TUESDAY, JULY 24th, 2012
We devoted this day to the 2 islands in the Seine River in Paris, Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint Louis.

A view of the back of Notre Dame as we were walking to the islands

 We started off at the Conciergierie.  Once a palace, it became a prison during the Revolution and many people, including Marie Antionette, were held there leading up to their execution.

Conciergerie

Someone has a dark sense of humor (at Conciergerie)

Next we toured a little church, Sainte Chappelle.  From Wikipedia: "It was commissioned by King Louis IX of France to house his collection of Passion Relics, including the Crown of Thorns - one of the most important relics in medieval Christendom. Begun some time after 1239 and consecrated on the 26th of April 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Rayonnant period of Gothic architecture. Although damaged during the French revolution and heavily restored in the 19th century, it retains one of the most extensive in-situ collections of 13th century stained glass anywhere in the world."

 It has a pretty little chapel on the lower level but the top level is really where it's at.   All the walls are just covered in these gorgeous 50 feet tall stained glass windows.  A section of windows was covered as it was undergoing restoration work.  You can see that on the left side of the first picture below.  It was still breathtakingly gorgeous though.

 After touring Ste. Chappelle, we walked through this pretty little flower market.

In front of Notre Dame cathedral, there is an archaeological crypt.  There you can see foundations of buildings dating from ancient times up to the 19th century.  Very cool stuff.

 Of course, we then went to see the beautiful Notre Dame de Paris.  We did not have the time to wait in the long line to hike up the 387 steps to the top of the south tower, but we definitely checked out the interior.  It was just amazing.  Next year, Notre Dame is celebrating its 850th anniversary.  That kind of blows my mind.

A little rest at the park behind Notre Dame

 Since we were touring the islands on the river this day, it seemed appropriate to also put our boat tour on this day, so we did.

Notre Dame from the boat tour

Look, Zack's parents were there with us.  I have proof

Conciergerie from the boat

Kissing under "the most romantic bridge in Paris

Musee d'Orsay

Pont Alexandre III in the background there

Baby got just a little fussy on the boat.  She hates sun and wind, both of which were plentiful

Breast feeding, and windblown

 We polished off the day with a walking tour of Ile Saint Louis.  It is mostly just a posh residential area these days, but it was fun to walk around and look at all the pretty houses.

This church had a cool tower and clock

A big mansion