I started my day by joining my tour group for a bus ride through Paris. You know the one, a quick trip through the city with a guide pointing out the most popular places. While touristy, I do enjoy these types of things because it’s an easy way to get acquainted with a new city. We passed, the iconic Palais Garnier, shopping mecca Galleries Lafayette, and historical landmarks like the Place de la Concorde and the Pantheon. Slowly we were making our way closer to the Eiffel Tower. I could see her peeking out above some trees, some buildings, some other landmarks. Coucou toi! But I still haven’t seen her in her full glory yet…

We disembarked the bus to get a closer look at the Invalides (where Napoleon is buried.) You can visit his tomb and explore the interior of the building, unfortunately I didn’t have time so I just explored the exterior, but it sounds pretty cool. At this point, this was the closest I had been to the Iron Lady. Soon… soon.

Finally, it was time. The bus pulled up right in front at the Champ de Mars and there she was. Measuring at slightly over 1,000 feet, “La dame de fer” (French for “Iron Lady”), was constructed as the centerpiece for the 1889 World’s Fair by Gustave Eiffel. The tower is the most visited monument in the world! And I mean, look at it! Of course it is! She’s a beaut.

All good things must come to an end, but I knew I would be back. This wouldn’t be the last time I would see her. Like Arnold says, “I’ll be back!” We hopped back on the bus to visit our next landmark.

The last place we visited as a group before we were left to our own devices was The Arc de Triomphe. One of the most famous landmarks in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile (Star) connects 12 avenues, with the most famous being the Champs- Élysées. Built to honor the fallen soldiers of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, it was quite massive in person. Due to an upcoming art installation, we weren’t able to view the Arc in its usual presentation, instead shrouded in sheets and teeming with scaffolding. It was still hella impressive.

My group and I split up to explore Paris on our own and I knew exactly where I was heading next.

Tips, Links, and Locations:

The Iron Lady Eiffel Tower Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

Napoleons Tomb Invalides 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France

The Arc Arc de Triomphe Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France