2002

This is one of our favorite cities. We first came to Paris in 1999, where Jennifer and Jeffrey informed us, together with several of their friends, that we would soon be grandparents. Since then we have returned twice.

The City Hall is an impressive structure that welcomes newcomers to the City. One of the things we love about Paris is that it is a wonderful place to walk. It is a bustling city of more than 2 million people, yet is easy to get around in.

It is the home of a number of really fine museums, the most famous, of course, being the Louvre. Our favorite, however, is the D'Orsay, also situated on the Seine River. It specializes in impressionist art and houses some of the most famous artworks in the world.

It is also a city of great Churches. One of our favorites is Sacre Couer in the Montmartre district. It sits on a dramatic hill and dominates the skyline for miles. It is awe-inspiring both inside and out. It is a center of prayer for the residents of Paris. Unfortunately, photography inside is not permitted.

Of course, the most famous Church is Notre Dame. This Church sits on the Ile de la Cité, an island in the middle of the Seine and the site of earliest settlement that eventually became Paris.

The interior of the Church is as dramatic and impressive as the exterior. The Church was built over a Roman temple to Jupiter. Construction on the Cathedral began in 1163. Many of the treasures of the Church were stolen or destroyed during the French Revolution. It has been restored and is now one of the grand symbols of Paris, as familiar as the Eiffel Tower if not more so.