Our second full day exploring the wonderful city of Paris was better than imagined. After a rainy first day we woke up Wednesday to sunshine, the perfect weather for the day ahead. I spent my free morning completing some school work for my summer class then got ready to take the Metro over to the Louvre Museum. At first sight this monument was breathtaking and even more intricate and complex than it comes across in photographs. This monument was grand and flooded with other tourists from all over the world who came to see this significant piece of history. The pyramid at the entrance added another layer of depiction and makes this museum even more prominent. 

As we began our tour around the Louvre Museum we collectively decided to head to one of the most famous pieces of artwork in the world: The Mona Lisa. After learning and hearing about this piece repeatedly over the years it was on the top of my list to see while in Paris. On the way to the Mona Lisa exhibit we got to look at many biblical artworks crafted by Leonardo da Vinci and other remarkable artists. The biblical pieces were beautiful and as we walked down the corridor they came together to tell a story. This was personally my favorite part of the museum.  When arriving at the exhibit it was crowded with people trying to capture their own photos of this famous artwork. Even though I could not get to the front of the crowd I took many pictures, such as the one above, that I will forever look back on. 

I was completely blown away by the interior architecture of the museum. Before turning into the famous museum it is today it was previously a palace. There are so many intricate details that make it so unique. Every section looks completely different and adds character to the museum as a whole. Different areas focused on varying countries and times in history. Between the catacombs from ancient Egypt and varying structures from ancient Africa there was so much to be seen. Our wonderful tour guide from Worldstride informed us that if we wanted to stare at each piece of artwork for five seconds it would take a total of three months. This really put into perspective how enormous the Louvre really is. 

Another personal highlight from yesterday was the exhibit that featured all of the structures from Ancient Rome. I included the above photo as it was one of the many structures that came together to tell a story. The statues were beautifully crafted and looked uniform yet individual at the same time. While the crowds made it difficult at times, seeing so many people here admiring these creations was inspiring and telling of how influential this place really is. We saw a group of young school children on a field trip drawing pictures of the artwork. It was amazing to think about how these children get to experience such a special place at a time when they may not even realize it. We got the experience to see real artwork created by renowned artists such as Michaelangelo, El Greco, and van Dyck. I will always look back on how remarkable the Louvre Museum was and how lucky I am that I got to experience it. 

After spending a few hours exploring the Louvre we had the rest of the evening to ourselves. When leaving the museum the sun was at its peak and we enjoyed the afternoon outside. We saw the beautiful garden, Tuileries, surrounding the area and water fountains surrounded by small tables filled with people. We wrapped up the night indulging in desserts such as lava cakes and tartes and headed to the Eiffel Tower. Of course traveling to Paris I knew I had to see the Eiffel Tower in real life. I was overwhelmed by how big it was in real life. We found a great spot to watch as ten o’clock approached and the tower would light up in flickering lights. There was live music and people dancing and singing. We even got to witness an engagement which made the night extra special. Watching the Eiffel Tower twinkle was one of the most amazing moments of my life. The energy all around us was remarkable and the monument was beautiful. This busy day in the city of Paris was amazing and really gave me a sense of this city and its culture. Everything we read, watched, and listened to prior to this trip started coming to life and makes me even more excited for what is to come.