Our first destination was the Luxembourg Gardens. As we were walking, Augie found a European fire bug which was brightly colored red and black. He subsequently was stung by a bee in his foot.

We walked by cute restaurants on every street corner. The chairs here are always turned out to the street, to enable maximum people watching.

Cute restaurant

Buckeye Trees

There seem to be buckeye trees everywhere in Paris. Currently they are full of spiky green fruit. I wonder if the nuts will look like ours in the fall.

Buckeye

Boys working out in the park

The temperature today is perfect, in the low 70s.

Palais du Luxembourg

CC launching her sail boat

From Grok: \240The building in the image is the Luxembourg Palace (Palais du Luxembourg) in Paris, France. Located in the 6th arrondissement, it was originally built in the early 17th century for Marie de’ Medici, the mother of King Louis XIII, who wanted a residence reminiscent of her childhood home, the Pitti Palace in Florence. The palace was designed by architect Salomon de Brosse and completed in 1645. Today, it serves as the seat of the French Senate.

The surrounding Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg), visible in the image with the pond and model sailboats, are a popular public park where Parisians and tourists enjoy leisurely activities. The palace and gardens together are iconic landmarks, blending Renaissance and French classical architecture with beautifully landscaped greenery. The pond in front is a traditional spot for sailing toy boats, a charming activity that dates back decades.

There are babies everywhere. Strollers clog the sidewalks. Playgrounds ring with the sharp joy of children laughing. I’ve been noticing this since we arrived. But it just struck me - Tokyo buzzes with its own order—trains, lights, crowds. But during last summer’s trip I didn’t realize what was missing: the chaos of children. Their laughter, their tears, a sign of the future.

The contrast is striking. In cultures that lean formal and reserved, affection stays hidden. But in Paris—the city of love—it’s everywhere. Couples kiss in cafés, embrace on sidewalks. Here, love lives out loud.

Paris, a city brimming with pastry shops, boasts an endless array of delectable baked goods displayed in captivating window displays. As we strolled through the streets, we were greeted by the inviting aroma of freshly baked pastries wafting from cafés spilling onto the sidewalks.

The cityscape stretched out before us, lined with shops selling everything from souvenirs to luxury goods. Amidst this vibrant scene, we stumbled upon a familiar brand—Patagonia. I couldn’t resist purchasing a small, portable backpack to alleviate the discomfort of my sling bag.

A gentle drizzle began to fall. Seeking shelter, we ducked into the serene embrace of Saint-Sulpice.

The church stood as a testament to time, its weathered stone columns standing tall against the darkening sky. Inside, the cool air enveloped us, and the flickering candlelight cast a warm glow on the gilded chapels. The walls were adorned with the renowned paintings of Delacroix, depicting the epic battle between saints and demons. Even the gnomon, a timeless symbol of time, continued to cast its light across the floor, silently observing the passage of the sun.

Elliot’s curiosity was sparked by a quaint fruit stand displaying what seemed to be tiny watermelons in a small tray. We decided to buy some to sample, along with a few other small fruits suggested by the shop owner. It turned out these were gooseberries and greengage plums.

Suddenly, we came upon an outdoor art market. Ann Arbor art fair in Paris!

Margaux (Night of arrival)

Bone marrow

Pate

Leek

French Onion

Lamb shoulder

Salad

Cordon bleu

Mussels

Artichoke

Skate wing

Seafood tower

Seafood tower

Langoustine lobster

We arrived at the Eiffel Tower during the golden hour, which made her beauty even more captivating. However, the area around the tower was extremely crowded. There were dozens of street vendors, each with a blanket spread on the concrete, displaying their wares. These vendors primarily sold cheap trinkets and miniature Eiffel towers that lit up and sparkled. They set up their stalls everywhere, often right in the middle of the walkways, which made it difficult for tourists to walk around them. As we approached the tower, Cindy and I held Auggie and Cecilia’s hands tightly.

Fortunately, Cindy had made the necessary preparations. We had already reserved tickets to ride the tram up to the observation platform. Thanks to this foresight, the line was short, and in no time, we were treated to a breathtaking view of Paris at night. The gentle breeze up here carried the sounds of the city. You could hear the unmistakable police sirens with their unique European flair, echoing in every direction. Even the cheers of passengers on the Seine ferry as they passed under bridges could be heard.

We hopped into a Uber van and grabbed a quick breakfast at the carousel mall beneath the inverted pyramid. There was a long security screening line, but Cindy had arranged timed entry tickets, so the line moved quickly. Before we knew it, we were standing in the sprawling entrance.

Everywhere we looked, there were group tours, waving sticks in the air with recognizable items like flags, stuffed animals, or brightly colored bows.

Cindy had me create a guided tour using AI, and I chose to use Grok. Our strategy was to start at the Mona Lisa and explore from there. The crowds would only grow larger from now on.

Inverted Pyramid

Main Entrance

Mona

Napoleon’s Apartment

Fishing License Bachalpsee

Cindy discovered that we could try fishing at a glacial lake situated high in the mountains. After breakfast, we rushed to the tourist office to obtain two fishing licenses. We filled out our address and paid 60 Swiss francs, and were then handed two shiny blue cards. We’re supposed to record any fish we catch and their sizes. Fingers crossed, we’ll be lucky!

First Cable Car

The hike we’re planning for today is called “First.” It’s our first European hike, haha! We walked about 10 minutes through town and found the building that housed the gondola we’ll take to the hike’s starting point.

I can only imagine how amazing this place would be if we were here in the winter for skiing. It’s definitely the cutest ski village I’ve ever been to, and it’s also the most scenic. \240

C