May 31st is our anniversary, we have been together for 10 years (5 years of dating and 5 years of marriage). Since we are in Paris on our anniversary I figured the most romantic thing we could do, with a toddler in tow, was visit the Eiffel Tower on our special day. I had plans of a champagne toast on the top observation deck and lunch on the first floor but that didn’t happen, like I said we had a toddler in tow and he wasn’t in the mood for romance.

We arrived in the morning an hour before the tourist trap was open and we were about the 6th family in line for the elevator entrance and I swear within 5 minutes of getting in line people came from every direction and the line grew so long it crossed over the main street. Once the gates we opened and we purchased our tickets we were herded like cattle to the elevator. The lift took us to the second floor of the tower and we then had to get on another elevator to reach the very top. This elevator was much smaller and we had to fold up the stroller but Killian didn’t mind, he enjoyed the ride up! Today was a very foggy day so we couldn’t see very far but it was still breathtaking as we looked out over all of Paris. The champagne toast for our anniversary didn’t happen because the bar does not open until noon, not to big of a deal because I don’t really care for champagne (I’ ll drink it but I’m not in love with it but then again I’ve never had real French champagne). After checking out the top floor we descended to the second floor again and took a look around, not as foggy here, and made the obligatory stop at the gift shop. I wanted a coffee mug, so sue me! I had hopes to have lunch on the first floor but again we were to early and Killian was not about to wait around for an hour. Below are a couple of travel tips when visiting the Eiffel Tower.

1. Arrive at the Eiffel Tower an hour before they open and if you are traveling with a child in a stroller you want to stand in line at the north entrance as this is the elevator only line. Two minutes after the Eiffel tower opened on the day of our visit the line was already 8 hours long.
2. Avoid the gypsies and the sketchy guys selling the mini Eiffel Towers, which is illegal. The creepy guys selling the statues are like cockroaches, they are everywhere! Just shake your head and keep on walking or act like you don’t speak English. In regards to the gypsies, we were approached by a woman (two different times) asking if we spoke English and when we said yes they would show us a copied piece of paper that was supposed to be be a petition for deaf and blind children. They asked us to sign the petition and when we asked what it was a petition for she couldn’t answer but said we could give a donation. Ummmm, No thanks!

The second half of our day was spent trying to get to the catacombs before they closed but alas we were a few minutes to late. We had a look in the book and we were off to the Arc de Triumph. We arrived and as we ascended out of the metro station we found ourselves at the very top of the Champs Élysées. It was slammed busy with tourists but that is to be expected, it is high season in Paris now. We took a few pictures and then followed the masses down a tunnel, this tunnel takes you to the Arc safely because there is no way you are crossing that huge traffic circle. You can purchase a ticket and ride to the top of the Arc but since we had just been to the top of the Eiffel Tower we didn’t feel the need to see the same views again for 20 euro. We walked around, took some pictures and the took a stroll down the Champs Élysées, our driver told us that it is the most beautiful road in the world and it was very nice.

Walking down the avenue you will see fabulous high end shopping such as Mont Blanc, Zara, Dior, Cartier, Omega and Louis Vuitton! I am in Paris so I must go see Louis! As we walk up to the store there is a huge line of people outside waiting and I think there is no way Killian will let me wait in this line to just have a look around. We decide to wait for a minute and look inside the windows and a worker approaches me and to be honest I thought she was going to say something like no kids allowed but instead she says “you have a baby, we do not want to keep you waiting! You don’t have to wait in this line, follow me!” I am amazed and the people in line are giving me the eat poop and die look. We go inside and this store is huge, two stories. They have everything that Louis Vuitton produces. It was so beautiful and I always thought Louis was unattainable for me but today on my anniversary it wasn’t. Chris knew that I would love to have something small and I asked to look at some wallets. (It isn’t such a great idea to have a big over the shoulder bag while in Bangkok so I currently have a small purse that is close to my body and I basically only carry a wallet.) As I was browsing Chris finds the wallet that is perfect for me! I honestly can’t believe he picked one out and knew the price but he insists that it is ok and I can have it! What an amazing gift I will always cherish, my first (and probably last) Louis Vuitton from Paris on our 10 year anniversary… Awesome!