Orangerie Museum & Arc de Triomphe

The Orangerie Museum is famous for showcasing Monet's Water Lilies series. After visiting Giverny, I was deeply inspired by Monet and decided to visit the Orangerie Museum early in the morning. Monet's Water Lilies series was absolutely breathtaking, beyond words. It felt as if the Water Garden in Giverny had been transported directly into the museum, leaving me completely overwhelmed. Truly, Monet's impressionist style is remarkable. After leaving the Orangerie Museum, I headed to the Arc de Triomphe. Visiting the Arc wasn't part of my original plan, so I went on a whim and was able to enter immediately after purchasing a ticket. The reason for the immediate entry became clear soon enough—there were an overwhelming number of stairs. To make matters worse, the stairs were spiral-shaped, making it impossible to see the end, which was exhausting. Once I reached the rooftop, everyone was sitting down, completely worn out, taking a break. I also found a shaded spot to cool off and catch my breath. Despite the effort, the view from the top was worth it. The wide-open Champs-Élysées stretched out before me, with the Eiffel Tower visible in the distance and the modern buildings of the La Défense district in sight. Though challenging, the Arc de Triomphe offered a guaranteed stunning view.