All good things...

So here we are on our last day of the visit! :( A beautiful Saturday to spend together to explore new places and revisit old favourites.  We decided to start at the market so Jake could enjoy one last crepe for breakfast. I managed to take more photos of the amazing market and all the fresh delicious food on offer.  The next few photos will show you the beautiful cheeses, seafood, olives, vegetables and flowers available in the market. 

A happy boy enjoying one last crepe

 

The last display before we exited. Skewers of frogs' legs!

A few steps from the market and toward the metro you can see this large flame which sits atop the tunnel (the tunnel runs beneath the Pont de l'Alma).  This flame is called the Flame of Liberty and is an exact replica of the one held by the Statue of Liberty, it has become the unofficial memorial to Princess Diana as this is the sight of her fatal crash from 1997.  

Beautiful boys in a metro station.  I realized we didn't have many photos of the beautiful metro stations. This one doesn't do them justice but at least it's something.

Another gorgeous building in Paris! Before we get too used to the many beautiful buildings I thought we should stop and admire one.

This was an attempt to take a photo of some very "unique" suits we passed in a shop window en route to lunch.

A quiet, unforced, moment of kindness.

Beads, beads and more beads!

LeBlanc Freres #7 

I think they are trying to be enfants terribles! HA

We have arrived at lunch!  It was an absolutely outstanding meal in a quaint italian restaurant found by Pierre. It was owned and staffed by a family from southern Italy and we had a lovely multi-lingual meal! I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed this spot. 

Yummy lunch

Beautiful Sylvia

Centre Pompidou.  I absolutely adore this museum/gallery.  I studied many of the artists and works during University and it's always so amazing to share space with them. These bikes are all over the city and perhaps when the kids are bigger we can return and use them to get around.  I understand Pierre makes good use of them during his commute.  Seems like a very nice way to travel vs. underground - as long as the weather is nice! 

Modern Architecture

Inside the gallery - you can see some space dedicated to children on the mezzanine level - brilliant idea and always helps family enjoy more together.

fabulous exterior escalator - offering fabulous views of the city.

Beautiful children at the top!

While the exterior corridors and escalators were interesting the exhibits inside were even more mind boggling.  I think this exhibit simply served to cause the gallery staff much stress. HA.

A few more examples of the expansive interior space and some of the pieces.

Sofia and Sylvia having a quiet moment.

"ABSTRACT"

Beautiful sculptures outside.

Sigh...Chagall....

Pierre and Andre "portraits"

Making clay creations in the children's section of the museum.

oh the drama.

An exterior view

Fantastic Fountain

 There were many of these small messages on the metro.  Sara and I enjoyed reading them.  As far as I can tell this translates to "an exit, is an entrance that one takes in the opposite direction/perspective".

Cool mini car.

Finally...on our last night...we made the short walk to the Eiffel tower for the evening show.  The tower is illuminated after sunset and puts on an amazing glittering light show every hour, on the hour, that lasts about 5 minutes. We decided to walk down to get a good spot to watch the light show.  The first 2 photos below are the tower with the regular lights and the other 2 photos are during the sparkling light show!  It was amazing.  The kids were absolutely captivated by it.  It was a beautiful way to end our wonderful trip.  The kids still talk about the amazing things they saw, ate, smelled, touched and enjoyed but mostly they talk about their wonderful family who welcomed us with open arms and made it such a wonderful trip. 

 Thank you Sara, Pierre, Lillian and Sylvia xxoo

Au revoir et merci!