Sundays adventures

Sunday we were feeling cooped up (okay, actually it was only me)... I wanted to get out and see some more sites! I went online and picked Eglise de St.Germaine, which is the oldest church in Paris, built in 542! Wow!!!
I also picked the Luxembourg Gardens or Jardin du Luxembourg which is the second largest public park in Paris. On our way to the Gardens, we stumbled across a fabulous fountain and a huge structure! We were all so excited!

Outside of St. Germaine

Inside St. Germaine --It was breathtaking

Here is the fountain we came across...

 

The surprise find of the day!

Eden was mortified! 

Another beautiful structure-across from the fountain!

 

The Luxembourg Gardens

I think that in the Spring and Summer it is going to be absolutely stunning! I cheated and looked online:)

My favorite shot from Sunday

 

And then, we were close to the Pantheon, so of course, Michael wanted to go see that too! 

 

Sacre Couer

Saturday, we set out to visit Sacre Couer in the Montmarte area. The weather was clear and sunny and I think we got some neat pictures! I had visited a long time ago (during college) and Michael had seen it from a distance. It was built up on a hill and the views from the top are incredible. It is neat to watch our little second grader taking it all in...she is now trying to figure out the chronological order of which buildings were constructed first, second and so on. I hope that she remembers some of this!

Views as we are climbing some stairs

One of the views over the city

My fave from the day...I was experimenting with the camera

We also found a little friend along the back...he wasn't as excited to see us...but it reminded us of our sweet Leo at home! So we "kind of" followed him around:)

Choco Story

 On Valentine's Day, my friend Megan and I took the kids to a museum in Paris called Le Musee Gourmand du Chocolat...The Choco Story. It a 3 level museum dedicated to the 4000 year history of chocolate. We thought it would be fun since the girls were missing Valentine's parties at school--and let's be honest, the moms knew that there would be some chocolate tasting:) So, a win-win situation for all! I might add that it was pouring rain (of course) but we braved it! The museum was really interesting. Upon entering, there are bowls of 4 different kinds of chocolate to try...so it is a great way to start the self guided tour--yummy! Then the company Play Mobil worked with the museum to design "sets" that corresponded to each area of the museum.  The kids get a sheet of paper at the start of the museum with stickers to place at each station/set. I love that kind of interactive stuff!  And I really like miniature stuff too:)

 

Also included in the tour is a demonstration by a chocolatier...We found out that a chocolatier trains for 3 years or longer...who knew? I might add that we got to taste even  more chocolate after the demonstration..chocolate with praline middle!

Here are some pictures from around the museum...a cool sculpture, a leftover Christmas display all made of chocolate...

Here are some molds from the past...

And some of the tea cups that were used to drink the chocolate

A chocolate for me! 

And some cute pictures of the kiddos!

And one of my favorite parts...We got to drink hot chocolate at the end of the tour! I picked hazelnut and Eden picked milk chocolate...

On our way home, Megan texted to let me know that the boulangerie near their apt. had heart shaped baguettes for Valentine's Day...so of course, we went to see if ours did...and voila...we were in luck! Plus I had to get the little tart with the heart on top for Michael...

A fun trip out in the city!!