Family Trip 2018-Days 4,5, and 6

We got a much later start than we intended on day four, as we were on a wild goose chase for a particular cable DS lost from his camera bag for his reserve battery pack. Without it, it meant he only had 30 minutes of time per battery. We never did find one, but he made do, though frustrated because he rented this particular camera to get certain film opportunities he couldn't get with his regular camera. We had out croissant, baguette egg breakfast and headed to an RER train line to Versailles.

A broader view of the grounds of Versailles-the fountains were not on this day.

A view of the back gardens.

The entrance to the grounds of the Palace of Versaille

One of the princesses apartments-a seating area.

Versailles was spectacular. Our universal thought was no wonder the populous revolted when they were starving and the royalty lived like this. It was beautiful and disturbing at the same time! We walked the gardens first and then got in line. In hindsight, we learned if we would have waited until a couple hours before it closed, we might have had very little wait, but still would have had more than adequate time to see all the rooms as we went back around to some rooms DD2 wanted to see before close and the crowds were less thick. The gardens, impressive in size and presence, were not beautiful flower gardens, but more topiary. I was overwhelmed and underwhelmed a the same time if that makes sense. We never made it out to Marie Antoinette's make believe country farm and village, but on foot, it would have probably done me in with the heat. Some day, I'll return with DD2 in late fall or early spring to avoid the heat and crowds. The heat was incredible and I was thankful for the men selling overpriced water and my stupid floppy hat while we waited in line to go in the palace, having depleted the water we brought with us very quickly. Here's a few pictures as I would not be able to describe Versaille in words to capture the gander.

We were all pretty hungry by the time we left the palace. It sounds dumb, but we all wanted to try a French McDonald's so actually grabbed a bite to eat there. The quality and the price was loads more than the United States, though it was a struggle to find the vegetarian options, even though supposedly on the menu. We looked around the village a bit, found some gelato, and headed back to Paris on the train. Later, DD1 was beat and not feeling well and DH was just spent from the heat, but DD2, DS, and I wandered by the river again. We ended up buying a couple beers and just sat and enjoyed the Music and the light heartedness that seems to describe the river walk in the evenings in Paris. I loved that part of our trip each night. 

Eiffel Tower of deck chairs.

Docked on the canals.

On Friday, we had no specific plans until a 5:00 wine tasting I had reserved. This became one of our favorite days of the trip. We had our now traditional croissants, eggs and baguette breakfast and head for the canal area of Paris. We saw the le plage, where swimming and makeshift beach areas are set up. We didn't swim, but we did walk along the "beach" and saw this fun Eiffel Tower remake out of deck chairs. I wanted to find the cafe that has an Alice in Wonderland feel called Le Pavillion des Canaux. It was as whimsical as I had read and seen pictures of. The young girl was patient as DS and DD1 ordered a Latte a glace, but not sweetened, and DH and I tried to order the closest thing to lemonade we could. We ended up getting a sparking water with a slice of lemon, but added a raw sugar cube. It was delicious-like a natural Sprite. DD2 took a few pictures of the whimsy for me. 

The whimsical Le Pavillion des Caneux

A not so great picture-I was always a hot mess. 

The highlight of the day was Luxembourg Gardens As underwhelming as Versatile gardens were with color, these gardens were exploding in color. Honestly, I could have gone back there every day for hours. If I lived in Paris, you would find me there with a book in hand on any given Saturday! 

Despite the heat and lack of rain, it was lush and colorful at Luxemborg Garden.

Ma Famille.

DD1 taking in the splendor of the grounds.

My snap shot of my pretty youngest in the Luxembourg Garden.

We saw macarons in a window after the gardens and had to buy them.

We moved on to our wine tasting, grabbing a sandwich and salad before. It was sort of an underground wine museum with a self guided tour with an app, or a guided tour. We opted for the self guided because it meant we got to bring home a bottle of wine each. We paid for one upgrade, so brought back three whites and a red, after trying three samples. DD2 got to have nonalcoholic wine. 

DS  looking at how corks are made. 

Where visitors come to make their own wine blends.

After my lack of preparedness in trying to go to a restaurant that came recommended, but I did not have reservations for, we had what turned out to be a favorite meal at a restaurant called Le Passy, near our apartment. It was more elegant on the inside while looking like just a simple café on the outside. We had salads, steaks and fish, and even some good vegetarian options like zucchini flowers for DD1. I'm probably talking about the food too much, but it was so good! We  had a late night walk, saw the Eiffel Tower sparkle again, and finished the day with a couple ice creams and more wine. We used our travel card, the last day of it, that came with the Paris Pass so it was nice hopping on and off the metro with no additional cost. 

Mmmm beer s before dinner.

Saturday we took advantage the best we could of the Paris Pass. We used it for the Chocolate Story, a museum of chocolate, including tastings galore and a candy making demonstration. Yes, this is the Eiffel Tower in chocolate. 

A cholatey icon. 

We took a behind the scenes interactive tour of the Grand Rex, the largest movie theater in Europe. It was fun, and I guess something I would not have thought to do without the Paris Pass. We had some frustration trying to find the Shopping  store Galleria de Lafayette, but I did not know there were two-one just a traditional mall near Mont Parnasse and the other near the Garnier Opera, the one I wanted to see. Oh well, we wandered another neighborhood and had a very late lunch at Pinocchio's, with delicious pasta and pizza. We also took our Seine boat cruise Saturday night, timed very well for catching the early sunset, though it was crowded on the boat. Another walk, more wine, meat, bread and cheese and Saturday came to an end.