Seated on our balcony, it felt like my soul sighed in relaxed bliss as I drank in the bucolic view. We enjoyed watching two gentlemen gently shepherd a trio of Swiss Brown cows down the hillside streets to fresh pasture. Behind them, the little passenger train slowly snaked up the mountain.

Such a picturesque place, even with a touch of morning fog. Climbing up to the falls might not net an amazing view of the falls itself, but seeing the valley floor is worth the effort.

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Hubby is pretty sure he found the source of the falls! ​​​

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It was a surreal juxtaposition of cold weather, green grass, fall leaves, and a riot of colorful flowers in flowerboxes of cedar and fir scattered throughout the town. ​

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Another view of the valley. It was truly a verdant paradise.

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From our balcony at Hotel Oberland, we could see Schwarzmönch mountain. It was particularly stunning when the sun illuminated the snowcap at dusk while the valley was deep in shadow. 

Having tearfully watched the horrifying news footage as she burned in 2019, it was a true blessing seeing the resurrected cathedral. Truly the presence of God is here. Words and photos do not do it justice. 

Just outside the front of Notre Dame Cathedral, this circle is considered the official geographic center of the city of Paris and the point from which all distances to other locations in France were traditionally measured. 

We were blessed to enter during worship. Such a beautiful place. It was completed in the 12th century and renovated since the 2019 fire. This was a life-long dream come true to experience it in person. 

Inside the chapel.

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It boggles the mind, the vast amount of work invested to raise this monument from the ashes. A true testament to the tenacity, perseverence, talent, and strength of the French people. 

One of the many vibrant side chapels in Notre Dame. Each area invited the visitor to consider the majesty of the Creator of the Universe.

This is a side chapel where the Holy Crown of Thorns is displayed.

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This gothic church features the most extensive collection of 13th-century stained glass in the world. 

This is the downstairs of the chapel. It is beautiful in its own right, but wait until you take the spiral stairs to the second floor.​​​​​​

Vibrant color surrounds you in this chapel. It's truly dazzling. On the exterior porch you'll find hand-carved stone panels illustrating stories of the Bible.

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Two-thirds of these spectacular windows have survived since the Middle Ages. Bible story characters and prophets are all featured in this chapel in vividly stunning colors.

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Do be sure to take a Seine river cruise at sunset. It's a special treat. We decided to go at the last minute, and it turned out to be one of the best impromptu things we did. What a great way to see Paris and relax while doing so.​ "Tchin-tchin!"

The Eiffel tower and Pont Alexandre III bridge can be seen from our Seine river cruise. A colorful riverboat lay waiting at the dock to take on dinner passengers for the evening. 

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The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes at the beginning of each hour after sunset. We took a stroll with our tour guide who surprised us with champagne to sip as we enjoyed the show. A final treat from our guide.​

A visit to the Champs-Élysées, on the Place de l'Étoile, is not complete without a trip to the Arc de Triomphe. This monument honors those who fought in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.