With a booklet filled with maps, tramways and bus routes, bought for a few francs, I can find my way thru Paris remarkably well. Our first visit today was to the Arc de Triomphe where the Unknown Soldier of France rests. A flame burns continually at the tomb. We also climbed to the top of the arch where a fine view of the Champs-Élysées may be had. Later we went to the Bois de Boulogne and the menagerie but not much animals could be seen. The tomb of Napolean was our next stop but it did not make much of an impression on me as that of the Unknown Soldier. The interior is beautiful but the entrance to the tomb is spoiled by the souvenir vendors at the entrance.

July 11

At first we wanted to sail on the little ferries that ply up and down the river Seine but they were not operating this morning so decided to visit Versaille which is 10 miles SW of Paris. Found the trolley car to go there with the help of my guide-book and at noon we reached Versaille. We hired a cab to drive us around the grand palace. The coachman took us to the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon famous in French history (Louis XVI) and avenues are beautiful and it is a pleasure to drive thru the areas. We also visited the Palais de Versailles where the peace treaty was signed ending the European War of 1914-1918 – a very large building, and we stayed hours visiting the museum. John D. Rockefeller Jr. donated millions of dollars to restore and repair the Palace of Versailles and work has now begun.

July 12

A short ride down the Seine on a bateau mouche, like a small ferry, and bought some books near the Luxembourg and passed an hour at the Museum of the Luxembourg. We had lunch and will never forget the fifteen plates of delicatessen that was served when we ordered hors d’ouvres.

Our next visit was at the Pantheon where the bodies of France’s great immortals are entombed in the cellars. We climbed up to the dome where another fine view can be had of Paris. Passed thru la rue Descartes. In the evening went to see the Folies Bergère.

July 13

Went shopping this morning with mother. After noon went sightseeing on the ferry boats on the Seine from the Bois-de-Boulogne to Bois-de-Vincennes. It is the most interesting ride in Paris besides refreshing in the summer heat.

Gare de Lyon - train station (1928)

July 14

This day is a great French holiday. We had a great surprise when Georges Bardel called for us in the morning to go and view the military parade on the Champs-Élysées and the Arc-de-Triomphe. He had to wait as we were not ready but before long we were on the METRO subway to the parade which we would have missed if not for Georges. After an interesting morning he left us to go back home at 12 noon. We accompanied him to the R.R. Station Denfer-Rochereau. After lunch we went to the Cathedral de Notre-Dame and the Musée de Cluny but found them closed. At night we watched the fireworks and the dancing in the streets accompanied by all kinds of music. I finally walked to the Bastille and looked at the area where the bloody French Revolution started.