The Reeve Guide To...Paris - Day 2

I'm starting to think the aim of this trip was to wear me out as much as physically possible and it hasn't been done better than by the Eiffel Tower itself. Amazingly we managed to walk up it or at least as far as we could go, to the second floor. still, over 700 steps is nothing to be laughed about. My mum was gasping, I was nigh on crawling up the iron stairs. My Dad and Brother, however, seemed to be just fine. I clearly need to do more exercise.

The tower is spectacular, just catching a glimpse between buildings it enough to get me a little excited. But when you're standing under it, it simply blows my brains out. It's inconceivable that in 1889 such a structure was opened when the rest of the world was still trying to catch up, It's no wonder Mr Eiffel turned it into a permanent structure. Also, great fact: amongst royal families that came to view the structure in the opening year, along so did Buffalo Bill the bison hunter. Random.

The top was something not for the faint hearted, level 3 was only accessible though a lift which had approximately 10-12 people in it. Cramped to say the least. But once you are out on the viewing platform, you can see for miles. Unfortunately on the day that we went up it was overcast, a grey misty fog covered most of the city but we could still see large landmarks. But, regardless it was spectacular.

Tourist tip: When buying tickets for the Tower, if on the signs it says the top platform is shut, chances are it isn't. Ask for a ticket for the top, they're just reducing the queues down and the interest of tourists.

After grabbing the lift down to the ground we headed towards the Latin Quarter of Paris. If I'm honest this was pretty uneventful for us; it was raining and there were police everywhere. Although, there are so many churches to duck into in the event of a down pour and each one contains some serious works art. I don't think you can go to Paris and not look at religious art, it's on every corner and in every museum, drink it in. I know, maybe you don't want The Crucifixion in gruesome detail in stain glass or oil paintings, it's not necessarily the content but the skill of the art is special. Again, drink it in.

That brings me on the the next event: visiting the Notre Dame. I think we timed this perfectly, as we were looking at the famous stained glass, the choir to walked into their seats/pews and mass began. When you go from land mark to land mark I think as a tourist you forget that these places are part of every day life for people too. When the choir sung, It reminded me of that. Their voices also gave the church a truly beautiful atmosphere, I'm not going to say spiritual  but it helped me understand exactly why so many artists devoted their time to furnishing it to perfection.

Our final stop off the day was a walk though the back streets past the Moulin Rouge. I can assure you, it looks far better at night when it's all lit up, the dusty red windmill looses all of it's 'spectacular spectacular' romantic charm in the day light. But still, it's a sight you can't got to Paris without seeing.