Paris je t'aime

Last weekend was the Abbey program's Paris weekend -- a nice preview of what we can expect for Paris week, and needless to say, it's going to be amazing! Paris really speaks for itself: what more can I say about the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame that hasn't already been said? This was a return visit to Paris for me, but there's always so much to do and more neighborhoods to see. I was thrilled to finally make it to Montmartre (to can-can in front of the Moulin Rouge!) and Sacre Coeur, which was one of the most amazing cathedrals I've ever seen. We were even lucky enough to catch it during Sunday's Lenten Mass, which was incredible. I also had my first memorable experience on the Champs-Élysées, which as it turns out, is a street, not a building (oops... needless to say I was lost for about half an hour looking for a large, historic building, of which there are about six near the
Champs-Élysées metro stop, but I eventually found it!). I also got to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle for the first (several) times, which is nothing short of breathtaking. After dark, the Eiffel Tower is lit up to look like it's sparkling for the first five minutes of every hour, and it's spectacular.

The Canal over by our hostel!

What would this blog be without food pictures? We stopped by the Louvre and I got a Kinderchocolate and cappucino-almond ice cream :)

Speaking of the Louvre...

Some cool graffiti over by the hostel!

Even more graffiti! I wouldn't mind if this showed up in Detroit :)

Super cool glass-outside house

Generic bridge over by our hostel

Not so generic... apparently they were dragging the canal for a body the day we were walking past, so naturally Dr. Mackaman had us take a picture with the diver once he emerged from the water (sans body, thankfully).

More graffiti!

My new favorite aperitif: Chevre Chaud

If this isn't the most gorgeous thing you've seen, I recommend reevaluating.

Hey, there's a police cruiser (still looking for a body!)

Notre Dame! It was the 850th anniversary, which is why there's that weird structure in the bottom left corner -- I guess it was for crowd control, but it didn't make for the best pictures :P

I think we're good enough to do this professionally, right?

Sacre Coeur!

They even had living statues on the hill at Sacre Coeur, which I found rather amusing.

What visit to Paris would be complete without some creme brulee?