Well, some of you may think this is a stretch, since the "baby" is now 21 - but your kids are always your kids, n'est-ce pas?

Both daughters have been once before on different occasions, but son and son-in-law were making their first visit, and it was my great good fortune to be able to guide them around for a week in the world’s best city. Most of our time was spent in town, but we did take two days out for some day trips, to show them that Paris is not France any more than any large American city is the US. We spent one day doing something specifically not recommended by Fodorites - namely, seeing both some of the Normandy beaches as well as Mont St. Michel in the same day. You'll have to judge for yourself if this The Longest Day is something you would try. We were glad we did!

If you've seen any of my earlier phototravelogues, you know I believe that a picture is not worth a thousand words, but rather that a picture should come with a thousand words! (Well, maybe a few less ...) The research I do afterwards lets me take the trip all over again in a way, and is always a great pleasure for me to do.

So, for the main album, go to:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...localeid=en_US

As a bonus, my YouTube-capable son has done two videos, one a collection of 30 second clips taken around the city, and the other specific to the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. These can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjmxWWmrI5U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_km2Qq4Ltyk

Enjoy!

I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures and commentary. Thanks for sharing!

A truly fantastic report. Embedding your report in the photographs made it all the more interesting and pertinent.

Very well done! Thank you for the effort.

Lovely trip! Thanks for sharing.

Mike, this was wonderful! Thanks for posting those photos and commentary!

Anselm

I was amazed by only 242 photos... and it also scared me. I can only imagine what I will be bringing home with me. I take 200+ on a day trip to a local lake. I hope your slideshow only represented a fraction of how many you really took. Regardless of quantity, I really enjoyed your slideshow! Thank you for sharing with us! I was anxious for our upcoming trip, but after viewing your photos and reading the titles, I'm excited! I cannot wait to see everything! And my mouth is watering over the escargot!

And what a great dad you are! I wish I was so lucky. Your children are blessed.

fantastic! Thank you for sharing.

ttt 4 later

Thanks to all for the kind first-day-of-post replies - especially from our Paris experts like kerouac and Robespierre.

libssmfamily, I actually only took 250 photos, as I tend to give some thought to what I want to shoot, rather than firing away. Must be a carry-over from film days, when developing was most costly than electrons. You only missed a couple of duplicates from Etretat and Mont St Michel, as well as more photos of our rental car. I always take a number of shots from all angles, before and after, in case of any damage/insurance issues.

SemiMike, Your report and photos were fantastic! I spent yesterday afternoon reading and looking at your pictures. My "kids" are 24, 21 and 19, but you're right -- they'are always your kids, no matter their ages!

What a terrific report and great photos. I like the photo/caption style. It brought Paris alive. The self-drive day trip accounts are useful for anyone contemplating the same and wondering how much they can see in the limited time. You covered a lot of ground.

I found the graffiti on the river wall beneath the d'Orsay unusual because it is in English. Don't know what to make of it.

Greatly appreciate your doing this.

CW

Thanks for the fabulous report. Your "longest day" is not something I would attempt with my 9- and 4- year old, but it looks like it worked out well for you all. Something to file away for later!

Loved the pictures, thank you! We were in France last summer and while we missed the French Open we did get to take a tour of Roland Garros. Your pictures really bring it to life though! I am envious that you got to see a match.

Very nice report and an original way of tying together the visual and the verbal.
I also feel I'm become a bit smarter after reading it, so you've done a nice job of blending in extra facts and stories.
A pleasure to read.

Wow - the next time a poster asks what to see and do in and environs Paris, they should read and take notes of your fabulous photos w/accompanying description.
Merci beaucoup!