Follow our journey on this map.

Day 44 was a destination day using the Metro. Our objectives were the Paris Flea Market, L’arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Grande Arche de la Defense.

We arrived at the flea market and quickly realized that it wasn’t the shopping experience we were looking for. So back on the Metro heading for L’arc de Triomphe. We arrived in bright sunshine and noticed that there were no cars on the Champs-Élysées. We hit the jackpot: the whole road is turned into a pedestrian walkway on the first Sunday of the month!

We strolled down the street knowing this was the shopping experience we (at least some of us) needed. After awhile we landed in a streetside café. What would be a good way to relax on a vehicle-free boulevard in downtown Paris? Sipping on a nice glass of wine and enjoying a slice of pizza. The restaurant has a pastry school which was evident when the server brought out a tray of delicious looking treats. We chose 3 and before I could take a photo, all 3 had been assaulted!

While wandering back up the street, Brad and Mae attempted to photo bomb my shot by attempting to launch into the air at the same time in front of me. It was a marginal success but the funny part is that I made them do it 5 times to perfect the shot😊

Hopping back on the Metro we rode up to La Defense and the Grande Arch. La Grande Arche de la Défense is a monument and building in the business district of La Défense and in the commune of Puteaux, to the west of Paris, France. It is usually known as the Arche de la Défense or simply as La Grande Arche. A 360 foot-high cube, La Grande Arche is part of the perspective from the Louvre to Arc de Triomphe, and was one of the Grands Projects of François Mitterrand. The distance from La Grande Arche to Arc de Triomphe is 2 1⁄2 miles.

The weather continued to hold allowing us to take some clear photos looking down to the Louvre.

After a number of active days we opted to go back to the Italian restaurant next door and order some comfort food pasta. We took it back to the condo and enjoyed it in the comfort of “home.”