Paris, Day 3: Top of the Eiffel, Notre Dame Cathedral and Eiffel at Night

Samantha and I really wanted to go to the top of the Eiffel tower so despite being sleep deprived we decided to get up at 730/8 a.m.-ish and try get to the Eiffel Tower right when it opened at 9 am. Tyler didn’t want to go so he said he would meet us at Notre Dame later in the day and just sleep until then.

We made it to the Eiffel probably around 9:45/10am and there was already a substantial line formed. We didn’t care because we knew we wanted to see the top no matter what. It moved quickly but lines were the trend at the Eiffel. You had to wait in line to go through a security sensor, then wait in line again to get a ticket, then wait in line for the elevator to the middle floor, then wait in line again for another elevator to the top. Every elevator was packed and French people don’t smell very good so it was a bit painful but definitely worth it.            

Half way to the top of the Eiffel Tower

Top of the Eiffel Tower, a little bit scary and alot a bit freezing but..

Amazing view of Paris

The view from the top was gorgeous but both Samantha and I were freaking out at how high it was so we were ready to go back down pretty quickly. I’m so glad I went but I don’t think I’d ever go up again. It was too touristy, too many (smelly and pushy) people, and a little bit freezing. The view of Paris from the top was lovely though.

After we did the Eiffel Tower tour we were going to meet Tyler at Notre Dame Cathedral at 12:30/1ish.

We go there at about 12:45ish, and the cathedral was packed. We didn’t know how we were going to find Tyler and neither of us had working phones at this point. Samantha’s was out of money and mine was just not working for an unknown reason. We waited until 1:15 and then just decided we weren’t going find him and we went into the Cathedral. We later found out that he got there right about the time we went into the Cathedral and then he went into the Cathedral right about the time we got out of it.

The stained glass was lovely but it was a dark day so it wasn’t as glorious as it could have been. The building was very pretty though. Even though I’ve seen tons of old churches here it still blows my mind how old and detailed they all are. 

Outside Notre Dame Cathedral

The rose window that Notre Dame is famous for

More lovely stained glass

      After Notre Dame we tried again in vain to find Tyler and then decided we wanted crepes. Neither of us had had a French crepe yet and we heard they were amazing. We both got banana and nutella crepes and they were pretty much to die for. I think I’m obsessed with all French foods because their staple items are pastries, bread, chocolate, wine, and cheese. Basically everything really delicious and all a girl could want.

My first crepe experience, banana and nutella, yummy!

After the crepes we went around a shopping area and went to a few souvenir shops. It had started raining and we stupidly forgot our umbrellas at the hotel thinking we wouldn’t need then and not wanting to carry anything extra so we just kept store hoping. Eventually we found a McDonald’s and we both needed to use the bathroom so we figured that would be the easiest place to go. Its practically impossible to find a bathroom for free in Europe, even public bathrooms on the street you sometimes have to put a few euros in. Bathrooms and drinking water are two things that you can never find that I miss about the U.S. Water fountains do not exist in Europe as far as I’ve seen. 

Since we were already in McDonald's we decided to try the McBaguette, the exclusive French McDonald's signature sandwich. Its basically french bread, a hamburger patty, french cheese, french mustard and lettuce. It was really good. 

    From one of my trendy friends’ at schools’ suggestion we went to this area called La Marais that was sopposed to have good, cheap shopping. I found a cute grandpa sweater in a vintage store for 10 euros and got it. Its pretty and pastel colors and grandpa sweaters are in this season so I’m excited to wear it. They also had a good selection of vintage real fur coats and I’m kind of regretting not getting one. Most of them were only 35 euros. Oh well.

Check out this McDonald's in Paris, its like a cafe!

Muffins and Macarrones in a Parisian McDonald's

McBaguette, Paris's signature sandwich

 After all of that Samantha and I took the metro back to the hotel and hoped we would find Tyler because we didn't have the room key and we had no idea where he was there. He was in the room making pasta and he told us he basically did exactly what we did all day minus going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. we must have just missed him at Notre Dame.
    Since we planned ahead we all go dressed up to go out and then took the metro to downtown Paris pretty early. We all wanted to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up because it is sopposed to be amazing at night so we stopped there first. It was absolutely stunning. It really is very romantic and sparkley and pretty. We took some cute pics.

All of us at the Eiffel Tower at night

Its so lovely at night, I can see why this is the city of love and romance

    After that we went to a few bars and then just came back home in a taxi. We were all exhausted from the weekend and had to get up early for our flights tomorrow but I had a great time. Paris was beautiful in everywhere and I'm so glad I got to see it and would love to go back in the future.