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Paris, France |
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We were passing through Paris in July 2004 when we taxied part the portion of the new terminal that collapsed just before construction was completed. I also managed to get this great shot from the air. I did not recognize Sacre Coeur until I downloaded a full sized version of the picture.
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Paris needs no explanation. Love it or hate it, the city is rich in history, art, culture, and you name it. It is huge, sprawling, diverse and extremely busy yet keeps a very human scale and comfortable ambience.
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All the world is familiar with Parisian landmarks making them instantly recognizeable. Even on a first visit the feeling of déjà vu is undeniable. On my first visit I felt not as a stranger in a strange far off land, but more like a prodigal son who was returning.
Experience told us we needed only a Metro Pass and a Museum Pass to navigate Paris. The Metro Pass to take us to all points within the city and the Museum Pass to by-pass the long lines at the many museums.
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On the left we see people in the Tuilleries Gardens heading toward the Arched entrance on to the Louvre Grounds. From the Louvre itself we observed the long line of people waiting at the main entrance of the Museum. Our Passes allowed us to enter through a side door thus both avoiding the long line and the embarrassment of cutting ahead of so many people with sore feet.
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We stayed at the Mayfair Hotel just off the Rue du Rivoli across from the Tuilleries Gardens. This was just a short walk to the Louvre, Notre Dame, D'Orsey Musuem and the Champs Elysses. For farther destinations take the Metro Station at the Place du Condorde to the right or the Tuilleries Station to the left.
A short walk found us at Notre Dame where we climbed the towers to look the gargoyles in the eye and get a birds eye view of the city.
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I wonder if the artist purposely sculpted the look of ennui on this gargoyle's face knowing that it would remain motionless, its gaze frozen for nearly a millenium. Imagine all the changes that took place under its silent stare through the past 900 years.
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A short distance from Notre Dame is Sainte Chappelle, a church built especially to house the crown of thorns Christ wore durning the Passion and a piece of the Cross. The vaults of the first floor are brilliantly painted but it is still close and dark compared to the second floor where the stained glass windows of narrow Sainte Chappelle soar several stories filling the gothic sanctuary with light and color.
Later we found ourselves at Les Invalides. I believe this was originally built as a home or hospital for wounded soldiers but now it is a Military Museum that also houses the Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.
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This chapel and altar is beyond the rotunda as you enter. Following the circular railing in the center of the room you can peer down to the floor below where Napoleon's Sarcophagus dominates the space. Said to be encased in six serarate coffins withing the sarcophagus, Napoleon's body lies directly below the rotunda surrounded by twelve statues representing victories.
To better appreciate this massive monument, notice the size of the people behind the railing both across and above the sarcophagus.
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The most famous landmark in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. Controversial since its inception, over time the tower has become the symbol of the City of Lights. Even thought this lacy steel structure stands in verticle juxtaposition to the classic horizontal mansard roof tops, it is not an intrusive contrast. It is a unique blend of contrasting tastes and styles that have come to together creating the Paris we know today. |  |
We visited many more cathedrals, monuments, museums and palaces, dined in quaint bistros, casual cafes and elegantly appointed restaurants. Paris is a city of many delights. Rather than ramble on, I am posting a photo gallery of Paris sites we visited.
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