We got home two days ago from our two-week adventure in France and we had the time of our lives! It was a wonderful experience for everyone and Harrison and Declan especially enjoyed the experience of being in another country and learning about a different culture. They both tried using small French phrases with people we met and Harrison even managed to use his very limited language skills to obtain a spoon at a restaurant all by himself! We rented a small apartment in a village outside of Paris and near Disneyland, so we had easy access to both. We made five trips into Paris (Kevin made six, as he took a trip to Normandy on his own), explored our little village and had fun at the Disneyland Parks. Yes, there are a ton of photos here, but I hope you enjoy them and sharing our memories.
We found these giant macaroons at the shopping area near our apartment.
Who could resist the photo opportunity in France!
Of course, the real thing was even better. Harrison and Declan loved these chocolate-filled macaroons.
This is the main door outside our little apartment. We were one level up and had everything we needed in our 'home away from home'.
Our first trip into Paris!
We found a wonderful farmer's market on our way to see the Eiffel Tower and Declan had to have a peach! You can see the little fruit stand behind him.
Taking a short rest near the Arc de Triomphe.
After walking all the way down the Champs-Elysees, we opted for a pedal taxi from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower, which was lots of fun!
You would never have to search for ice cream around here; it seems like it's being sold everywhere.
The Eiffel Tower!
Second Floor and at the very top of the Eiffel Tower.
1st Floor of the Eiffel Tower.
We had to ride the gorgeous carousel near the Eiffel Tower!
Off to Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios theme parks! Believe it or not it was cheaper to buy an annual pass than pay for even four days at the parks, so we became annual pass holders and could go as often as we wanted to either park!
There is a new Parisian-themed area in the Walt Disney Studios Park that is awesome! It has a 4-D ride based on the Ratatouille movie as well as a themed restaurant where we ate dinner one evening.
Harrison and Declan loved the Toy Story Play Land area!
We met Tigger!
Of course, sugary treats abound in Disneyland!!
Tweedledee or Tweedledum?
We ate at Chez Remy inside the Disney Studios Park during our first week in France and had a great time checking out the fun decor. The food wasn't too bad either.
We carried this balloon all over the place one day and when we finally got off the Disney shuttle bus to take our five-minute walk to the apartment, the string must have come untied and it floated away.
On our second trip into Paris, we had lunch at Angelina's, an extremely Parisian cafe. It was my favorite by far! They had amazing thick hot chocolate and the food (especially the eclairs) was delicious! I wanted to go back another day, but Kevin said his wallet couldn't handle it.
Best hot chocolate ever and a chocolate macaroon.
Yummy!! I'm so glad Declan shared.
After our lunch at Angelina's, we took a cruise on the Seine River and enjoyed the sunny weather.
Our next day trip into Paris took us on a visit to the Louvre to see the 'Mona Lisa', 'Venus de Milo', and 'The Raft of Medusa'. I didn't want to overwhelm Harrison and Declan with the art museums, so I just picked a few works of art that I taught them about in advance and then we found them in the museum when we went. We found all three and left, which seemed to be just right for what they could handle.
On the spiral steps to exit by the pyramid.
Declan found some costume attire in the gift shop to entertain himself while I looked around.
After the Louvre, we headed off to find our hop-on hop-off bus so we could tour more of the city.
First stop: Notre Dame Cathedral
Another day in Paris took us to Luxembourg Gardens, which was a gigantic hit! Harrison and Declan got to sail toy boats on the pond with push sticks, which was an entirely new (and fun) experience! We also found an amazing playground that they loved and a really old-fashioned carousel to ride.
Our bus stop for the Disney shuttle and Declan's morning croissant from the nearby bakery.
They loved meeting Buzz Lightyear!!
On our last day trip into Paris, we made a stop at the Musee d'Orsay to check out Monet's Water Lily paintings before playing at a pedestrian walkway near the river and heading out to Giverny to actually see Monet's house, gardens, and water lily pond.
This polar bear sculpture was Harrison's favorite piece of art at the museum.
He also liked the giant rhino sculpture out front!
This pedestrian area right next to the Seine River had all kinds of games and activities for kids. This was a giant maze where you had to find your way to the center.
They loved playing with the chalk on this giant chalkboard.
At Giverny, in Monet's gardens.
We were so lucky that the weather was beautiful and the water lilies were in bloom!
Inside Monet's very colorful house.
Last day at Disneyland. All the fun is coming to an end.
And, what fun it was! We had an amazing family vacation with memories to last a lifetime.
This is the bakery near our apartment and one of the various treats Declan wanted to try!
