European Summer 2018: July 5th -- A "Big Bus" tour of Paris & The Louvre

After a hardy meal we headed off for a day of touring and the primary goal of visiting "Mona." Come to find out one of the "other" activities we wanted to do dropped us off right at "Mona's" house with the option to ride a boat and continue riding the big bus for 2 days -- BONUS!! So we did -- we did! (Name that movie quote)

Here's Mona! She smiled at us ;-) ... and I think at the mass of people behind us waiting to get a moment with her. I wonder what she would think to know how many people over the ages squeeze in just to see her. AND of course the many other masterpieces this palace holds.

As we exited there was a "lone" piece of baggage that the bomb squad was called in for. They had the entrance roped off at 100 yards and asked people to move back further. They detonated the bag -- thankfully there were no explosives in it because something flew over the tape about 10 feet in front of us. The police presence has been heavy here this week.

The size of The Louvre -- people say it's big, it'll take more than a day, etc. -- until you actually stand in the yard and walk the hallways you can't imagine how massive this former palace turned museum really is.

Notre Dame from which the "Hunchback of Notre Dame" was inspired. Crossing the Seine ... again.

The real Arch de Triumphe ... the one by the Louvre is a replica.

So much history and amazing architecture! I can't even begin to tell you all of the names of places we saw. But I'll bet you've seen them or read about them. It was just overwhelming to be along the many pathways of the past.

We've been around and around the Eiffel Tower but haven't yet "visited." It's day is coming! Next a 1 hour tour of the Seine by boat. What a wonderful way to cool off and see a different perspective of the many historical buildings in Paris.