# data[].attributes.body
My time in Paris was a trip of a lifetime. Being a history major allowed me to have an educational yet exciting time. All around you in Paris are historical sites and monuments whether they are from the 1500s or from the Second World War. My classmates and I went to so many places including the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc of Triumph, the Palace of Versailles and the Grand Trianon, Victor Hugo's home, and many others.

We stayed for a week and a half and during that time one becomes almost assimilated into the French culture, speaking the language, using the metro like any other Parisian, eating at what seems to be unusual times of the day, and navigating around Paris like you have lived there your whole life. If you ever have the chance to go Paris, PLEASE DO IT! You will not regret it. The food, people, culture... everything is perfect and you will not want to come back home.

Bon voyage mes amis et bienvenue à Paris.
Je suis votre guide pour les prochains onze jours!
Je m'appelle Alexis et c'est mon histoire!

# data[].attributes.body
We left the United States around 6:30-7:00 PM on January 2nd and arrived in France around 9:00 AM on January 3rd. Before we landed, there was a lot of turbulence and I began to feel a little sick, but I did not vomit! After going through customs and getting our baggage, we went to buy bus tickets to go into the center of Paris. When on the bus, I began to feel really sick so Katie gave me some medicine to calm my stomach. We got off the bus and proceeded to go down into the metro station. From that point on, the metro became our mode of transportation! At first it was a little intimidating, but after I learned how to read the map and get familiar with the stations, it was easy and fun. I felt like a real Parisian.

When we arrived in the 20th arrondissement where our apartment was, we had to walk for ten minutes with our baggage. I was super tired and hot at this point, but I managed to make it! The door to the apartment was locked and we could not get in so Dr. Bartlett had to ask someone to let us in. When we got into the apartment, we chose our rooms. I chose the one on the main floor because I did not want to go up and down the spiral staircase at night unless I really had to. I am clumsy. I loved my room – it had a lot of windows and it faced a courtyard. I had a door too so I had some privacy and it was quiet.

Maria, the Director of Global Affairs, gave us “burner” phones and charger converters. We decided to unpack and charge our phones for a while before going out and exploring. Well the adapters she gave us were not for European countries and did not work for their outlets. We began to panic a bit, but thankfully Caren brought extra adapters just in case! So after that ordeal, we relaxed a bit and then decided to leave. We walked to the metro and decided to go into the Ile-de-la-Cité. This is the first time I saw the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. I was too excited because these two monuments were the ones I wanted to see the most. I have wanted to see Sainte-Chapelle since my French 204 class.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nous sommes arrivées aujourd'hui en France. L'avion n'était pas aussi mauvais que je le pensais. Il y a beaucoup de turbulence. Nous avons acheté un ticket de bus pour arriver au centre-ville de Paris. Nous avons marche un peu avec nos bagages. Ce n'était pas amusant!

Nous avons pris le métro et nous sommes arrivées à notre appartement mais nous n'avons pas pu entrer. Dr. Bartlett a trouvé quelqu'un pour nous laisser entrer. Nous avons regardé autour de nous avons choisi nos chambres.

J'ai choisi de rester à l'étage dans ma propre chambre privée avec une porte. Apres notre arrives nous avons essayé de recharger nos téléphones portables. Maria a donné nous les mauvais convertisseurs alors nous avons essayé de trouver des solutions qui marchent. Heureusement, Caren a apporté beaucoup d'entre eux et nous avons utilisé le chargeur de téléphone "burner."

Nous avons décidée d'explorer un peu et nous sommes allées à la Cite. Là, nous avons vu l'extérieur de la Cathédrale de Notre-Dame et Sainte-Chapelle.

# data[].attributes.body
Today, we visited the Garden of Luxembourg! This is where the President of France lives and it was once the private residence of Mary Stuart, also known as, Mary, Queen of Scots. Being a nerdy history major who is in love with anything 1500s Europe, I was completely freaking out! I recommend watching the TV series Reign which documents her life and marriage to Francis II. ANYWAYS. The garden is beautiful and has a gorgeous fountain in the front. My favorite part of the garden, however, was the Medici Fountain. It was commissioned by Queen Catherine de Medici who was the wife of Francis I. Again, as I am writing this, I am getting all excited!

After we left the garden, we walked around the sixth arrondissement looking at street art. I began to notice commemorative plaques also on the walls. I took an interest in these as they honored someone who died defending France. I thought these were the equivalent to soldiers who died in Iraq and a part of a highway was named in honor of them and their service. Well, I was completely wrong! I will emphasize what I mean later on in the blog :)

After walking around, we decided to go to the Opera Garnier. You guys... you thought I was freaking out bad already? WRONG. This is the opera house that was the inspiration for my FAVORITE musical - The Phantom of the Opera. I literally almost cried. The main staircase is almost identical to the one in the movie. I could hear the Phantom faintly singing "Christine...Christine" :)

Alondra, Caren and I decided to walk around the Latin Quarter after leaving the opera house. Best decision ever. In this part of the city is where the University, the Pantheon, and a lot of gorgeous churches are. We went souvenir shopping here as well! Caren and I decided to go back to our apartment afterwards to rest before dinner.

For dinner that night, we went to a fancy restaurant called Ambassade d'Auvergne by Le Centre Pompidou. They had a specialty dish called Aligot and it is FANTASTIC. They are mashed potatoes loaded with cheese and cream. I had that and a sausage which was delicious!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aujourd'hui nous sommes allées au Jardin du Luxembourg. Je ne savais pas que c'était la résidence privée de Marie Stuart. J'adore Marie Stuart! J'étais amoureuse de Jardin et totalement "geeking out."

Nous avons beaucoup de marche dans le 6eme arrondissement. Nous avons vu beaucoup de street art local et beaucoup de plaques commémoratives pour les personnes qui sont morts en défendant la France.

Nous sommes allées a l’Opéra Garnier et je suis tombée amoureuse de Paris encore plus! Cet opéra est ce qui a inspiré le Fantôme de l'Opéra! Je jure que je suis presque morte. L'Opéra est très beau. Je ne peux pas croire qui les personnes vivent dans une ville avec toutes de belles choses.

Alondra, Caren, et moi avons décidée de nous promener avant d'aller à l'opéra. Nous avons explore le Quartier Latin et j'étais impressionnée partout. Le Panthéon, beaucoup d'églises, l'université et le collège... juste parfait!

Nous avons voyage a cote de Le Centre Pompidou pour diner. Le restaurant ou nous sommes allées était très chic et il y avait beaucoup de nourriture que je n'ai pas aimé. Mais, j'avais une saucisse et l'aligot.

# data[].attributes.body
"And on the third day, God said 'let them go to Montmartre!'" So we went! It was seriously more beautiful than I could ever imagine. I had seen pictures of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacre-Coeur) before, but in person it is just magnificent. We had to climb more than 300 stairs to get to the top of hill to reach the Basilica. Was the pain worth it? Ohhhh yes. I have never seen anything so beautiful. It felt like you were on top of the world!

We went inside and I just fell in love. There is nothing like an ancient Catholic church. I went to one of the numerous shines to Mary and lit candles for the souls of my grandparents and my aunt, said a prayer, and proceeded to walk around the sanctuary. Before you leave a church you have never been in, you have to make a wish. My Irish grandmother taught my mother that which in turn my mother taught me. I am kicking myself for not taking pictures of the inside of Sacre-Coeur, but at the same time, it was a special time for me.

After leaving Sacre-Coeur, we decided to walk around Montmartre and experienced a new sense of life in Paris. There was an art market in the center of town and a ton of different artists selling different things. There was one in particular that took a liking of Katie, lol. ;) What is Paris without getting hit on, right? Thankfully I had my engagement ring on, so no one tried hitting on me. Yay!

We decided to leave Montmartre and travel back into the heart of Paris to visit Victor Hugo's, the author of Les Miserables, home and La Place de la Bastille (where the infamous Bastille prison once stood and was stormed during the French Revolution).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nous sommes allées à Montmartre et au Sacré-Cœur. Je ne pense pas avoir jamais escalade autant d'escaliers dans ma vie. Ça valait la peine. La vue et le Sacré-Cœur étaient très beaux!

J'ai pu allumer les bougies et j'ai prié pendant un certain temps dans le sanctuaire. Saviez-vous que chaque fois que vous devriez faire un vœu? Ma mère m'a appris cela et sa mère lui a appris cela.

Nous avons marche autour Montmartre. Apres Montmartre, nous avons pris le métro jusqu'a la Place de la Bastille et la Maison de Victor Hugo.

Nous allions aller au Cimetière du Père-Lachaise mais il a commencé à pleuvoir et nous sommes retournée a l'appartement.

# data[].attributes.body
Y'all. Today crossed something off my bucket list. We went to Normandy and visited the beaches. Being a history major and a lover of anything WWII, going here filled a place in my heart forever. We left the apartment very early to catch the bus to Normandy at 6:00 AM. It was a couple hours until we arrived in Normandy.

First we went to the Museum for D-Day. It was a great museum! It reminded me of the Holocaust Museum in Skokie, IL. I do not think I appreciated as much as I wanted to because I just wanted to get to the beaches. We ate a great lunch at the museum, shopped at the gift shop where I bought a glass bottle to put sand into, and departed on the bus. When on the bus, we passed a lot of different farms and it resembled Illinois a lot just without corn :) The tour guide kept praising the Normandy cows that were there and I found that comedic. To me, a dairy cow is a dairy cow no matter where they come from.

We arrived at Pointe du Hoc first. This is where the German set up a lot of bunkers to try and fight off the American and French forces from regaining this land close to the English channel. Well, we did! The Germans were kicked out and now that piece of land was in the American's possession. We were able to go inside different bunkers. It was so cool I can't even explain it. By the monument that was erected for the Americans winning, you have an incredible view of the English channel and the coastline. Just breathtaking.

After Pointe du Hoc, we went to Omaha Beach. All I know is that I cried. Standing on the sand where many, MANY men died fighting to stop the Nazi Regime is surreal. The beach is beautiful and it was so hard to imagine all the bloodshed, guns, and men storming the beach. From here, we went to the American Cemetery. Now this place was somber yet beautiful. So many white crosses and Stars of David lined rows in this cemetery. There is buried my mom's friend's uncle. I was determined to find his grave. The ground was so wet from the rain we had for a couple days, but I walked through the grass and mud to find him. Right when I was giving up I said "Lord please help me find him!" I turned down one row and there he was! I said a prayer for his soul at this grave, took a picture, and sent it to my mom to show her friend.

Following the cemetery, we went to Juno Beach which the Canadians stormed. This beach was different than Omaha. It had stones everywhere on it and Omaha had just sand. This beach must have been hard to maneuver. I took a stone from this beach. We got back on the bus and made our way back to Paris. I am so blessed to have gone to Normandy and see such a historical place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aujourd'hui nous sommes allées en Normandie. Je ne peux pas vous dire a quel point je devais partir. Nous sommes parties assez tôt ce matin pour monter dans le bus. Un fois dans le bus, nous avons conduit trois heures en Normandie.

Une fois en Normandie, nous avons vu ce qui ressemblait un peu à l’Illinois mais sans maïs. Nous nous sommes d'abord arrêtes au Musée du D-Day pour passer. Le Musée était cool. Cela m’a rappelle le Musée de le Shoah a Skokie, IL.

Apres le musée, nous sommes allées d'abord a la Pointe du Hoc. Ma partie préférée de cet endroit était le monument pour les Rangers qui ont escalade le flanc de la falaise par le conquérir. J'ai aussi aimé les bunkers allemands.

Quand j'ai vu la plage, j'ai été étranglée. J'ai pris du sable de la plage.

De la, nous sommes allées au cimetière américain. Là, j'ai  trouvé l'oncle de l'ami de ma mère qui est mort pendant la bataille de Normandie. Je suis tellement content d'avoir pu le trouver.

Apres cela, nous sommes allées a Juno Beach et j'ai pris un pierre de là.

# data[].attributes.body
After the long and wonderful day we had yesterday in Normandy, I was a little tired. However, I got up and went to Mass at Notre-Dame. When I decided to go on this trip, I was determined to go to Mass there and that was the one thing I wanted to cross off my bucket list. I decided to leave by myself, ride the metro alone, and I arrived at Notre-Dame! I was so proud of myself! Mass was gorgeous. It was said in French and Latin which was great. Although I'm a practicing Catholic, I was nervous I would not know how to follow along with the Mass, but I followed along just fine. I think what made it more special was that it was the Feast of the Epiphany so not only did I go to Mass in Notre-Dame, it was on a Feast day! :)

After Mass finished, I went outside to meet up with the group. Right when I got outside, the bells began to ring and I just teared up. If you ever have the chance to hear the Bells of Notre-Dame, please stand there and listen to them. Just beautiful. After the group showed up, we went inside Notre-Dame and looked around. I went to another shrine to Mary, lit candles for the souls of my grandparents and my aunt, said a prayer, and continued to walk around. We went back outside and talked with two people who worked for the Archdiocese of Paris, a seminarian and a volunteer! They told us the history of the carving above one of the doors. The seminarian gave us a medal to take home with us.

Following Notre-Dame, we took the short walk over to Sainte-Chapelle! I was looking forward to going here since I took French 204 and saw the gorgeous pictures of the stained-glass windows inside. After we entered, we went upstairs to the Upper Chapel where those stained-glass windows are. It was absolutely breathtaking. You are surrounded by them on each wall. There is a large Rose window and a lot of skinny windows.

We made our way back down to the lower chapel that is dedicated to Mary and there are more stained-glass windows there as well. Although Sainte-Chapelle is small, it is so gorgeous and I am so glad I was able to see it in person. Following Sainte-Chapelle, we went to lunch at Flam. They serve flatbread pizzas and they were really good! After lunch, we went to Quai Branly Museum and I really did not like it. I did not find the art there interesting, but I really liked the layout of the museum. It was like a huge circle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aujourd'hui était incroyable! Je suis allée à la messe à Notre-Dame. C'était beau. Elle a été dite en latin et en français. Apres la messe, nous avons explore Notre-Dame puis nous sommes allées a Sainte-Chapelle. J'ai vraiment adore! Sainte-Chapelle est petite mais vous êtes entoure de nombreux vitraux. La chapelle est magnifique!

Apres la Sainte-Chapelle, nous sommes allées déjeuner a Flam. C'était vraiment bien. Apres, nous sommes allées au Musée de Quai Branly. Honnêtement, c'était ennuyeux. Je n'ai pas aimé. Je ne me souciée pas l'art asiatique et sud-américain.

# data[].attributes.body
We finally went to the Louvre today! There is SO much to look it - it is impossible to see everything in one day. I think my favorite part of the Louvre was either going into Napoleon III's apartment or the "outdoor" part under the pyramid that had all the picture sculptures. I saw the Mona Lisa, David's painting of Napoleon's coronation, and a ton of other pieces. It was awesome to be around so much famous art!

After spending about three hours at the Louvre, we decided to go on the "Hop On Hop Off" bus tour around Paris! It was free with our Paris Pass. I really enjoyed this. We received headphones to hear the history of the different buildings we passed and we got to ride in a double-decker bus so that was awesome! We took the bus to the Arc of Triumph. To go to the top of the Arc was free so we decided to walk to the top! Y'all... my legs were on fire. It was at that point I realized I was out of shape, lol. However, just like reaching Sacre-Coeur, the view was worth the pain. You had a gorgeous view down the Champs-Elysses, a great view of the Eiffel Tower, and we could even see Sacre-Coeur!

Today was more laid back than the two previous days and I'm glad we took the time to explore these places :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nous sommes allées au Louvre! J'étais très excitées. Je ne pouvais pas attendre poire voir toutes les peintures et sculptures célèbres! J'ai vu la Joconde, la peinture de David de couronnement de Napoléon, et beaucoup d'autres peintures de Da Vinci par exemple. Nous avons passé trois heures là-bas je pense. Ensuite, nous sommes allées dans un bus Hop On Hop Off et l'avons pris à l"Arc de Triomphe.

Nous avons décidée d'aller au sommet parce que c'était gratuit avec notre Paris Pass. J'ai commencé a grimper les escaliers très bien mais avons. J'ai presque atteint le sommet, j'ai dû m'arrêter à cause de je pensais que mes jambes allaient tomber!

# data[].attributes.body
"Let them eat cake!" That's what Marie Antoinette supposedly said when the French peasants said they had no bread to eat. Well, she said that at the Palace of Versailles and that is where we went today. Versailles is enormous... I can't even explain the size of it. There are so many rooms and different things to say, but unfortunately, there are also a lot of tourists like ourselves and it was very difficult to appreciate the inside of Versailles. It is also quite dark inside and hard to see. I was disappointed with my experience, but I am so happy I was able to go. They had a wonderful exhibit about the families that lived within the walls of Versailles that not many people went to (that I know of because when I was in there I was like the only one). I spent about a half hour in that exhibit, but I loved it because I'm nerdy and like learning about the monarchy.

We met everyone back outside in the Gardens. They are still so beautiful even in the wintertime. We decided to walk to the Grand Trianon as it was a nice day and Dr. B has never seen it before (she's been to Paris 7 times!). The Grand Trianon was my FAVORITE part of the day. This was Marie Antoinette's private residence. It was bright, very feminine, and just beautiful. I loved it here more than at Versailles. There is this walkway from one end of the residence to the other and it is black and white checkerboard print - just perfect honestly.

After leaving Versailles, we went to a wine tasting at The Caves of the Louvre. YUM! The whole time we were there I learned a lot about wine and how it is made but also had three delicious glasses of French wine :). We got back on the metro to come home and Alondra was a little tipsy... girl fell onto a passenger on the train because she lost her balance. I swear I almost died from laughter!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nous sommes allées a Versailles! Versailles était énorme! Il y avait tellement de choses a voir mais il y avait tellement de personnes qu'il était difficile de prendre des photos. Même en hiver, les jardins étaient magnifiques.

Nous avons décidé de marcher jusqu'au Grand Trianon et j'ai très adore cette domaine plus que Versailles! Marie Antoinette et moi avons des gouts similaires! :)

Nous sommes retournées a Paris et sommes allées a une dégustation de vin aux Les Caves du Louvre. J'ai beaucoup appris sur le vin et comment c'est fait. Alondra a été un peu trop a boire mais c'était amusante et elle a passé un bon moment je pense.

# data[].attributes.body
We decided to get scientific and historical today! We went to the Cite de Sciences et l'Industrie first! It was really fun. My favorite part there was being able to explore a submarine. We were not allowed to take pictures of the inside though and I really don't remember why. They also had a small aquarium so that was nice :)

After there, we went to the Pantheon. That place is gorgeous and full of beautiful murals. In the center, there is a pendulum that constantly moves back and forth. It is gorgeous. I think my favorite murals in there are the ones of Joan of Arc's life. She is very loved in France as well is Saint Genevieve.

Also on this day, we met Dr. B's French parents, Judi and Joel. They are so nice and very patient with our French speaking. Judi is originally from Scotland, but Joel is from France. After the Pantheon, we went to a coffee shop to sit down and talk. Alondra and I talked to Joel a lot, asking about him and Judi. He asked us about our time at Rockford University as well. He is very funny too once you get him talking :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nous sommes allées à la Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie. Il y avait un sous-marin là-bas que nous pourrions explorer. Katie, Karissa et moi sommes allées là. C'était très petit. Ils avaient un petit aquarium aussi!

Ensuite, nous sommes allées au Panthéon et avons rencontré les parents français de la Dr. B. Ils sont si gentils, drôles et patients. Ils se fichaient que notre français n'était pas parfait! Au Panthéon, il y a beaucoup de peintures et un beau pendule.

Nous sommes allées prendre un café après le Panthéon et avons parlé. Alondra et moi avons beaucoup parlé à Joël. Il est très drôle.

# data[].attributes.body
This was our day to explore Paris alone or with other people. Alondra, Katie, Karissa, and I decided to stick together and go to FOUR different places that day. We chose to go to Le Cimeiere du Pere-Lachaise, le Musee Rodin, Les Invalides, and le Musee d'Orsay! I was so excited that they wanted to go to the same places I did.

First we went to Pere-Lachaise and it was hauntingly beautiful. There are a lot of famous people buried here including author Oscar Wilde and musician James Morrison. While we were there, there were some graves being destroyed and that really bothered me. I did some research when I got back home and apparently if the family of the deceased does not continue to pay "rent" on the grave, they exhume the bodies and put another one in there... I could not imagine this happening in the US. I mean, I know sometimes there are grave robbers, but we don't pay rent for our grave sites. I felt awful.

From here, we went and got some street food lunch. The other three wanted to walk to the top of Notre-Dame, so I decided to sit on a bench in front of Notre-Dame and eat waiting for them. It was a really nice day. After they got done with that, we decided to go to Les Invalides. This is a military hospital and where Napoleon is buried. His tomb exudes his narcissism, but it is really gorgeous. Did you know he is buried in eight different coffins? Who does that? Napoleon... Napoleon does that.

Next, we went to le Musee Rodin. I think, by far, this was my favorite museum. It was more sculpture and bust based than paintings and I really loved that. Also! The famous sculptures of the Thinker (picture of me in front of it in the "Overview" section) and the Gates of Hell are there. This museum is also indoor and outdoor. I loved it there! Here is where we decided to start mimicking the different sculptures. It was fun!

Finally, we ended at le Musee d'Orsay. I really enjoyed this museum too. There were pieces by Van Gogh and other famous artists. It was more modern art with brighter colors and happier scenes. There is a gorgeous clock here that you can sit by and just people watch. Karissa and I went to the cafe in the museum to have a coffee and sit down. It was delicious :) After spending a couple hours there, we met up with Dr. B, Judi, and Joel and went out to dinner at Hippo! Hippo is like Red Robin here - it was yummy!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aujourd'hui, nous avons pu explorer par nous-mêmes ou avec d'autres. Katie, Karissa, Alondra et moi sommes allées à quatre endroits différents. Nous sommes allées au Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, aux Invalides, au Musée Rodin et au Musée d'Orsay. J'ai adoré chaque endroit que nous avons visitées mais mon préférée était le Musée Rodin.

Nous avons rencontrées Dr B et ses parents au Musée d'Orsay et avons ensuite dînés à Hippo! Hippo est comme Red Robin ici. J'avais un hamburger et des frites. J'adore le fait qu'ils ont nommé une chaîne de restaurant Hippo!

Je pense que c'était mon jour préférée tout le voyage. Nous avons visités beaucoup d'endroits aujourd'hui et avons beaucoup ri avec tout le monde.

# data[].attributes.body
Today is our last full day in Paris :( I'm so sad that we have to leave tomorrow. Today, we went to the Institut du Monde Arabe. It was really interesting to see. I do not know much about the Arab world and their art. It was interesting to see items from their culture. Everything is bright and fun. They had a rooftop terrace that I really loved. You had a gorgeous view of Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle.

After leaving here, we went souvenir shopping and I bought all my presents for everyone. We shopped in the Cite right by Notre-Dame so I was able to see Notre-Dame one more time before leaving Paris and to my surprise, I heard the bells ring again. I think that was the perfect conclusion to my trip.

We went back to the apartment and packed up all our stuff to get ready to leave in the morning. It was sad, but at the same time I was excited to get back home and share the time I had :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aujourd'hui est notre dernier jour en France. Je suis très triste. Nous sommes allées à l'Institut du Monde Arabe aujourd'hui et c'était très intéressant! Je ne connais rien à la culture arabe mais j'ai beaucoup appris ici. Ils avaient un art magnifique et coloré qui était agréable à regarder. Il y avait une terrasse sur le toit avec une vue magnifique sur Notre-Dame et Sainte-Chapelle.

Après avoir quitté ici, nous sommes allées à l'Ile-de-la-Cité et sommes allées faire du shopping pour des souvenirs pour nos familles. J'ai acheté de petits objets pour ma mère, mon fiancé, mes collègues et moi-même. J'ai revu Notre-Dame une fois de plus et entendu les cloches sonner avant notre départ. C'était l'idéal pour terminer un merveilleux voyage!

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you for joining me on my journey to Paris, France! I hope you imagined what my experience was like there and I hope one day you're able to visit this beautiful place.

# data[].attributes.body
People Watching

# data[].attributes.body
Stained-Glass Windows in Sainte-Chapelle's Upper Chapel

# data[].attributes.body
Walkway to the Grand Trianon

# data[].attributes.body
Napoleon III's Apartment in the Louvre

# data[].attributes.body
Checkerboard walkway at the Grand Trianon

# data[].attributes.body
Sculpture on Omaha Beach for those who died on D-Day (6 June 1944)

# data[].attributes.body
Let's play! ;)

# data[].attributes.body
"Outdoor" area of the Louvre where the large sculptures are located

# data[].attributes.body
Alondra posing on the main staircase in l'Opera Garnier

# data[].attributes.body
Courtyard at Les Invalides. The famous golden dome in the background where underneath Napoleon Bonaparte is buried.

# data[].attributes.body
Gorgeous staircase in Le Musee Rodin

# data[].attributes.body
Me and my boy Napoleon (insert facepalm emoji here) :D

# data[].attributes.body
Best, fattening, chocolate loaded crepe I ever had.

# data[].attributes.body
Le Musee Rodin

# data[].attributes.body
Beautiful, but haunting Pere-Lachaise Cemetery

# data[].attributes.body
Stalingrad Metro station

# data[].attributes.body
Ominous ;)

# data[].attributes.body
My favorite part of Paris

# data[].attributes.body
Juno Beach

# data[].attributes.body
This is in every metro car. It reads: "Do not put your hands on the doors you risk to pinch yourself very hard." I just thought the bunny was amusing,

# data[].attributes.body
Versailles from the lower part of the Gardens.

# data[].attributes.body
German bunker on Pointe du Hoc.

# data[].attributes.body
Pretty badass street art in our neighborhood!

# data[].attributes.body
Closest I could get to Lisa (insert shrugging emoji here)

# data[].attributes.body
My favorite room in the Grand Trianon!

# data[].attributes.body
Took this picture a couple minutes before Mass began, got reprimanded in French because I was past the line for picture in the sanctuary... Definitely worth it ;)

# data[].attributes.body
Sacre-Coeur from the streets of Montmartre.

# data[].attributes.body
Dedication plaque for Notre-Dame

# data[].attributes.body
View of the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Arc of Triumph

# data[].attributes.body
Quoi?!

# data[].attributes.body
Entrance to Napoléon’s tomb

# data[].attributes.body
I live at Versailles and you’re jealous I know 💁🏻‍♀️

# data[].attributes.body
J’ai bu beaucoup de chocolats chauds!

# data[].attributes.body
Declaration by Charles de Gaulle to remember WWII

# data[].attributes.body
DON’T SHOOT! 👀

# data[].attributes.body
Hallway in L’Opera Garnier

# data[].attributes.body
You feel so small compared to all these large monuments like Sacre-Cœur

# data[].attributes.body
Gorgeous poem at the entrance of Juno Beach

# data[].attributes.body
Tu me manques, Paris. 💙

# data[].attributes.body
Thanks for travelling with me :)