Paris bookstore, at last! Oh, yes, and the Eiffel Tower.

When I knew we were going to Paris on The Grand Tour, I told The Mister that if I had to pick between The Eiffel Tower and Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, I would pick that famous bookstore.

He was aghast, but assured me we could do both.  Today we did do both -- and then some.

We set the alarm for 6:00 a.m. -- now that's the way we normally vacation! It was supposed to rain at 1:00 and we had a lot we wanted to do before then. First stop: the incredible Notre Dame Cathedral.

About 13 million people visit Notre Dame each year, and we made it 13 million and two. What a glorious place, inside and out!

We got there before any crowds, any lines, and it was a nice, intimate experience with this giant cathedral.

I lit a candle for someone special (below) ...

... and asked Earl to pay the 2-Euro suggested donation while I said my prayer. He told me later he didn't have the right denominations of Euros so he used his credit card through his phone, right there at the candle stand! Dear me!

I said a little prayer for the two Joans in my life at St. Joan of Arc's chapel.  Did you know she was 19 years old when she was martyred?

We walked around the cathedral on the outside, too. I love the thrilling example of French Gothic architecture, with flying buttresses a'plenty and gargoyles, too.

The gardens around the cathedral were lovely.

I hadn't prayed for "no rain" today (I had bigger fish to fry) but no rain wish was granted anyway as the prediction of rain was pushed back until evening. Wonderful! So after crossing the pedestrian bridge and wandering around Ile St. Louis and then the Left Bank, we hopped aboard -- BEEP BEEP! Yeah, baby, all aboard the Big Bus Paris!

I told you we were tourists! In 2.5 hours, we got beautiful views of so many Paris attractions, sitting on top of our double decker bus!

Earl and I have long been a fan of tour buses to get incredible views and to listen (English soundtrack) about the big city we're visiting. We can hop off the bus then or later go back to places we want to explore more.  

After the bus tour we had a late lunch at a cafe across from Notre Dame.

And then ... drum roll ... time for dream come true -- the bookstore I've wanted to go to for years and years!

Please forgive that I'm slightly sweaty and windblown from the bus ride (we always sit on the top). What a thrill to see this bookstore and walk through the door.

This landmark, often featured in movies, is a treasure. It's small, crowded with old book shelves and creative seating areas and displays. The rooms inside are incredible -- just right up the alley of any book lover! So much fun to wander from room to room. No photos on the inside -- boo hoo! But they said nothing about this shot:

After that, we walked around the French Quarter a bit and didn't get back to our hotel until 6:00 this evening. But we have resolved to take it easier tomorrow. Anyone want to make a wager on how that goes?

Thanks for reading my blog!

Jane