Emalisa Explores: When in Paris...EIFFEL TOWER and ARC DE TRIOMPHE

I have officially graduated in my level of French course in Lyon, and now, as part of the Northeastern Program, I am in Paris for 8 days to explore and get to know the city. I am in a hotel that is slightly in the outskirts of Paris, but that definitely helps in buying cheaper food and necessities! This first day in Paris, I literally walked for about 10 hours. I expect the next couple of days to be the same, but I absolutely refuse to wear sneakers in the city and look like a complete tourist. By the time I'm back in Boston, my feet will probably be completely flat.

Yesterday, August 1st, with the group, we explored the Eiffel Tower (of course), the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and returned later in the day to climb the Eiffel Tower. I'm in absolute awe at how beautiful Paris is. The Champs Elysees is a beautiful street you would classify most similar to 5th Ave in NYC. It has many expensive stores, and all the stores that line the streets are just bigger and better. I am definitely returning on a day I am less tired and checking out the Zara and the H&M on Champs Elysees. Despite being tired and having my feet hurt, it was fun walking up and down the Champs Elysees.

The Arc de Triomphe was also very beautiful. We climbed to the top after exploring and getting to know about the actual building and some of the different war victories France had in the Revolution and with Napoleon. To the top of the Arc de Triomphe there were only 101 steps (someone in the group counted), but because it was a circular staircase all the way to the top, it definitely felt like more. I think that had I stopped at any point in time, I definitely would not have continued going up the stairs...

I am definitely looking forward to getting to know Paris more and more in the days to come!!!

This is one of the oldest metro systems in Paris. For that reason it is above ground, and not underground.

This way to the Eiffel Tower!!

The Eiffel Tower in all of it's splendor :).

My friend Jenny and I infront of the tower. Such happy ladies!

I still can't believe I am here!!

This is a monument against racism, in front of the Ecole Militaire.

The Ecole Militaire, Military School, in Paris.

On our way Arc de Triomphe! The metro systems and stations are very large and populated compared to Boston and even New York.

The Arc de Triomphe. It is such a huge and grand structure. The Arc honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces.

The names of the French victories and and generals can be seen on the walls along the structure.

There were literally 101 steps in complete circular rotation. I definitely classify this as a good work-out, haha.

View from the Arc de Triomphe. So beautiful!

Of course I had to take a few pictures on the top of Arc de Triomphe with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

This is Saint Germaine des Pres church. It used to be a famous burial ground for Merovingian kings (old france).

We decided to take a stroll by the Louvre before our ride on the Eiffel Tower. I'm returning to the Louvre on Sunday. Isn't the building so beautiful though?

A panorama short of the Louvre.

Jardin des Tuileries. This garden is directly in front of the Louvre.

Jardin des Tuileries, so beautiful.

The Parisian Cleopatra's Needle; the hieroglyphics are not visible in this picture, but we were in a rush so I could not get another. The other two are found in London and New York.