La Tour Eiffel and more...

This morning we got going early to beat long lines at The Eiffel Tower. I've been before on a Point Loma Concert Choir tour in 2001, but we didn't go up the top and it was wonderful to see it again and enjoy it in all its glory! Grabbing fresh pain au chocolat along the way, we were at the top in under a half hour. Our plan was to take the stairs to the 2nd floor and the elevator to the 3rd, but we got in the wrong line, so it was the lift all the way (my legs were thankful). The views were gorgeous but we were disappointed to find that it was enclosed, so we spent some time on the open 2nd floor as well and got some great views and pictures.
Afterward we took advantage of the free river cruise that came with our museum pass. My automated tour guide was stuck on German, but Rusty let me use his and I picked up lots of interesting tidbits and just generally enjoyed floating down the Seine. There were several school groups on board, and at one point, Edith Piaf's La Vie en Rose came on and they all joined in the singing. It was great fun. We ended our time in the area with a fresh crepe au chocolat on the grass!
Next up was the Musee de L'Orangerie, which is an "undervisited museum". It's the spot Claude Monet chose to house his waterlilly masterpieces and we were in awe of the huge 8 canvases that span the oval shaped rooms. After sharing a croque madame sans le jambon and a tartes aux fraises, we also hit the Musee D'Orsay which has a huge collection of Impressionist pieces. Both were well worth a trip, but I was quite ready for the rest that we're taking now!
Tonight we're going to explore the Ile de la Cite. I can't wait!