Boat Shmoat, We're Going to Paris - Part 6

By the time we made it down to the Seine, which was only about 5 blocks away, the jet lag was really hitting me. I just wanted to sit down and veg out. But where can you do that in Paris? We were admiring the view when Sean had a great idea. Why not take a Bateaux Mouches tour? We would be able to sit and watch Paris go by while listening to the tour.

So we hiked over to Pont de l’Alma, the place where the bateaux depart, and being an early spring afternoon, there was hardly anyone else waiting to board the bateaux. We paid, boarded and since the weather was sunny and warm we sat atop the open bateaux.

In no time at all, the bateaux engines revved up, the water swelled around our bateaux and we were cast off the pier along the Rive Gauche (Left Bank or downstream). It was decidedly pleasant sitting there watching Paris go by. First we passed under the Pont des Invalides and then next was the famous Alexander III Bridge.

Of course, we saw the Napoleon Bridge:

Then we saw the Musee D’Orsay (Orsay Museum)

and off in the distance the L’Eglise Americain (American Church). It was a good thing we were seeing these things from a boat, because I wasn’t sure how much time we would have to visit them during this busy week.

Before you know it, we could see the tip of the Île de la Cité and the Pont Neuf .

King Henry IV

The Île de la Cité is an island that sits in the middle of the Seine and right behind it is the smaller Ile St. Louis. "Notre-Dame" Cathedral is built on the Île de la Cité and that is what we saw next. What a treat it was to see! Note the flying buttresses that were used to hold up the structure of the back of the cathedral and the famed rose window. When I came to Paris as a little girl I attended mass at Notre Dame, but didn’t take communion because I hadn’t fasted. What a silly little girl I was. I should have just taken communion.

We didn't get to see the rose window from inside on this trip, but here it is and isn't it too pretty to miss?

Although we did see some lovers on the banks of the Seine, we did not see what is in this next photo that I have included for your interest. Click to enlarge.

Anyhow, our bateaux rounded the Ile St. Louis, and headed upstream following the Rive Droite (Right Bank). Notably, from here we saw the Louvre Museum.

We relaxed on the way back, past our departure point and onwards to the Eiffel Tower. Last time I was here with my family we took the elevator up and saw the view from the top of the tower. It was really windy and chilly up there, even though it was August. But the view was outstanding and well worth it.

Last but not least, we saw the 35 foot tall replica of the Statue of Liberty.

Then our bateaux turned for the last time and headed for home. We docked, disembarked and bid adieu to the tour. We felt rested enough to continue back to the hotel.