Hava, our catholic guide with a Jewish name from Wisconsin who married a Parisian, did a great job. Tyler and Tanner following close behind.

In the Place Vendome sits the Ritz Hotel owned by the Fayed family and home to Princess Diana for a time. Coco Chanel also has residence here in the early 1900's. She was known to stand on the balcony every morning and look across the courtyard to her store. If an associate was late more than once, she would fire her.I

In the Place de la Concorde, this Eygptian obelisk was originally located infront of the Luxor temple alongside its twin obelisk. Both were a gift to France from Eygpt in 1829. The king send down a ship to collect the gift, but sent one a little two small so they only brought one back to France. The other is still infront of the Luxor today. In the 1990's, Eypgt asked if France was ever going to come and get the other gift 160 years later, but they declined and left that bit of history there. This one, of course, got topped in gold... it's France.

France's independence day, Bastille Day, is July 14th. The French Military Band was practicing on the Champs-Elysees for celebrations occuring on that day.

A memorial marker for a fallen police officer defending Paris against the Nazi occupation during World War II. Instead of listing the names all on one wall, these plaques are placed all around the city for each of the 1,000 individuals who died under these circumstances.

The doors to the Petit Palais face the doors to the Grand Palais right across the street. Yes, they face each other.

This bridge, The Pont Alexandre III, is said to be the most beautiful  and ornate bridge in Paris. Built around 1900, it crosses the Seine and connects the Champs-Elysees quarter and the Eiffel Tower quarter. It is stunning. Each end is guarded by golden statues and lined with street lamps, iron and golden nymphes. 

A look back at the Grand Palais after crossing the bridge. The entire ceiling of the Grand Palais is made of glass, a real architectural feet. This building, not really a palace, was first unveiled during the World's Fair of 1900 held in Paris.

A view of the Hotel des Invalides, a former veterans' hospital built by Louis XIV. The hospital was built to house 4,000 veterans who worked for their housing by sewing tents and patching uniforms. The gold dome in the background in atop Napoleon's tomb.