In September, my parents and two other couples I have known ever since I can remember made the trip across the pond to London and together we had an adventure in Paris! The photos below are just the photos from my camera (I believe there are 2,000 more documenting everything we did), so forgive photographic any gaps in our time together!
The crew landed in London late in the evening and the next morning we were off to Borough Market and then walked to St. Paul’s Cathedral via Southbank. From St. Paul’s Cathedral we rode the double decker bus (on the top deck, of course) to Westminster Abbey and Parliament.
The ultimate London experience: top deck of a double decker bus!
After a busy first day, we started the second morning by attending the service at our church (St. Helen’s Bishopsgate) and then walked a few hundred meters for brunch at one of the most popular restaurants in London: Duck and Waffle. It’s on the 40th floor of Heron Tower and offers spectacular views of London.
Brunch at Duck and Waffle
After a delicious lunch, we headed to the Tower of London, then to our flat (we had just moved three months prior) and The Gun (our favorite pub) for dinner.
The next morning, the crew started with a tour of Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Park before checking out the Churchill War Rooms. Then, we were off to high tea which the gentlemen found to be surprisingly filling.
Good morning, Mom and Daddy!! The crew at high tea.
After high tea, we headed over to Knightsbridge for a bit of shopping at Harrod’s!
Shopping is exhausting! Taking a break at Harrods.
After catching the morning Eurostar to Paris, we checked into our hotel and headed out to explore and grab some delicious french food!
Daddy is excited to be in Paris!
After a late lunch, we wandered down the Champs-Élysées and took in the sights and sounds of Paris before settling in for a quick dinner. We were all exhausted, so we turned in for an early night.
The next morning, after acquiring our museum passes, we popped into the Louvre for a whirlwind tour!
Winged Victory at the Louvre
Obligatory Mona Lisa photo. I decided to include everyone else taking the obligatory Mona Lisa photo.
Next we walked along the Seine and onto the Île de la Cité to visit Sainte-Chapelle and the Notre Dame.
Beautiful stained glass windows in Sainte-Chapelle
Action shot–checking out the beautiful glass!
At the top of the Notre Dame–amazing experience to share together!
Watching over Paris with the resident gargoyles.
We watched the Notre Dame light up for the evening from a sidewalk cafe before heading back to the hotel.
Dinner at a sidewalk cafe.
Notre Dame selfie–with a Priscilla photo-bomb!
The next morning, we wandered through the winding streets of Montmartre to reach Sacré-Cœur.
Next stop, one of my favorite places in Paris: Sacré-Cœur!
Beautiful ladies and a beautiful view!
After visiting the Basilica, we walked through the Artist Quarter before grabbing some lunch. Next, we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and took a river cruise before settling in for a delicious dinner atAU BON ACCUEIL PARIS–my favorite meal in Paris!
Love love love this picture of my parents!
Serving the velouté
A. MAZING.
The next morning, we hopped the train for Versailles to explore the beautiful palace.
Versailles!
Hall of Mirrors
After getting back to Paris, we made a quick trip through the Musee D’Orsay, then had a brief round of shopping before having dinner at a sidewalk cafe. Our last stop was the Arc de Triomphe where we watched the hourly Eiffel Tower light show. Such a perfect ending to the trip!
View of Eiffel Tower from Arc de Triomphe
Thanks to the Shelbyville crew for such an amazing trip!!
The next morning, the Shelbyville crew caught a plane back to the USA and John and I hopped a train to visit a friend in Belgium.
Shelbyville crew, we LOVED having you all here!! Looking forward to many more adventures together. Thanks for a wonderful trip!
John and CB's Most Excellent Adventure 