La Fin!

The final posting from my trip to Paris last summer. It took a while to go through all of the photos, but it was nice to re-live the experience. Hope you enjoyed the photos! (next photos will be from trip to Nicaragua)

Miscellaneous Parisian Architecture

Love the old Parisian Architecture!... random shots from around the city.

Vive la République!

One of the best ways to get a quick tour of Paris... and to see all the beautiful bridges, is on the back of a Batobus. The Batobus takes you to the heart of Paris, with stops at all of the main tourist sites (including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre). With 8 stops on the route, you see a different view of Paris and lets you travel around the city the way Parisians originally did. This shot was taking right after we passed the Pont Alexandre III bridge. The French flag was blowing in the warm summer breeze. 

Under the Bridge

If you were to tell someone in the US that you're going to go hang out under a bridge, they might think you're a bit odd... the bridge that Frank and Charlie (from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) hang out under comes to mind. However, in Paris, it's totally normal... and is actually desired. These are a few of the photos I took while doing just that.

Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III is an arch bridge that spans the Seine, connecting the Champs-Élysées quarter and the Invalides and Eiffel Tower Quarter. It is regarded by many as one of the prettiest in Paris (it's also my favorite). The bridge, with its exuberant Art Nouveau lamps, cherubs, nymphs and winged horses at either end, was built between 1896 and 1900. It was named after Tsar Alexander III (father of Nicholas II) of Russia who laid the foundation stone in October 1896. The style of the bridge reflects that of the Grand Palais, to which it leads on the right bank. The construction of the bridge is a marvel of 19th century engineering, consisting of a 6m high single span steel arch. The design was subject to strict controls that prevented the bridge from obscuring the view of the Champs-Élysées or the Invalides. The bridge was built by the engineers Résal and Alby and inaugurated in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition. Classified as historical monument, four gold-covered bronze statues hover over the bridge, on the top of 17 meter columns, representing "Renommées" standing close to Pegasus.

"Our Lady" of Paris

One of the most notable monuments in Paris is the Notre Dame Cathedral. Notre Dame is a French title for the "Blessed Virgin Mary" (hence the reason for so many Notre Dame Cathedrals scattered throughout the world). This Catholic treasure is over 800 years old and is located on a small island called Île de la Cité (in the middle of the river Seine). The building of the cathedral took almost 200 years. It started in 1163 during the reign of King Louis VII and was completed in 1345.

As is the case with most notable historical monuments, The Notre dame Cathedral Paris has had its share of glorious and tragic historical moments. Among them is the crowning of Henry VI of England right inside the cathedral in 1431. The Cathedral was at one time in a stage of total disrepair and close to the point of being demolished, but was later saved by Napoleon who himself was crowned Emperor in 1804 inside the Cathedral. After restoring the Cathedral back to its formal beauty and in the midst of World War II, it was rumored that the German soldiers might destroy the newly installed stained glass. It was therefore removed and only reinstalled again after the war ended. The steps were taken because of a archeological glass window called "Rose Window" which was the biggest glass window in the world produced in the 13th century. Joan of Arc was also beatified in the Notre Dame cathedral in 1909.

A notable artifact is the famous bell that has been redesigned to ring automatically. Any visitor to the bell tower should be prepared to climb the 140 steps staircase to see the historical bell and have a glimpse of the city of Paris. Inside the Notre Dame Cathedral, the 17th century organ, with all of its original parts, is still functional. There are also drawings, plans and engravings which showed the old and hidden mysteries of several of the church developments and how the city of Paris came into being.

Follow Me Home

Two women walk through one of the bridges along the Seine. 

"To Err is Human... To Loaf is Parisian"

Sometimes the best thing to do on a summer afternoon is nothing... these are a few photos I took while "loafing" around in Paris.

Paris "Love Locks"... an affront to love?

"Love locks" are a custom by which padlocks are attached to a public fixture by "sweethearts"... and then locked to forever seal their love. In Paris, Pont des Arts bridge and Pont de l'Archevêché bridge are filled with them. Couples traveling from all over the world will buy a padlock, write down their initials, lock it to a bridge, and then throw the key into the Seine river. The Pont des Arts is for your committed love, while Pont de l'Archevêché is for your lover (which is why the Pont de l'Archevêché has more locks attached).

The act of locking away your love does seem like a romantic gesture... and to do this with your lover in the most romantic city in the world might seem like a good idea. However, the Parisians aren't so happy with it. Not only is it ruining the architectural integrity of the Parisian landscape... but according to the locals, we're missing the whole point of what love truly means. Here is a quote I found when trying to figure out why there were locks on the bridges: "At the heart of love à la française lies the idea of freedom. To love truly is to want the other free, and this includes the freedom to walk away. Love is not about possession or property. Love is no prison where two people are each other’s slaves. Love is not a commodity, either. Love is not capitalist, it is revolutionary. If anything, true love shows you the way to selflessness."

If you happen to be visiting Paris with your significant other and were thinking about buying one of those padlocks, I would think twice about what your motives really are.

The Nymphs of the Seine

Photo shot from on top of my favorite (and most extravagant) bridge in Paris: Pont Alexandre III... taking in the same view that the Nymphs of the Seine have had for the last 100+ years. 

The Bridges of the Seine

During my first trip to Paris, I received some crucial advice: "The best way to see Paris is on foot." There are so many famous buildings, monuments, and landmarks to just enjoy at your leisure... Madeleine, L’Arc de Triomphe, Jardins du Palais Royale, Place Vendome, Musee d’Orsay, Musee du Louvre, Opera National de Paris, Les Invalides, Jardins du Luxembourg, and many others. It is helpful to set a basic walking route (which will lead to detours). You can see the sights you want, stop by cafes when you get tired and hungry (or thirsty), and plan your tour of Paris that way. It's more enjoyable and you can do things on your own time. Don’t be tied down to specific visits and entrance times (unless there is something you really want to see). The museums in Paris are amazing (and are worth a visit if you go during the off season, have extra, and the weather is bad)... but in my opinion, I have a much better experience of the “real” Parisian life by taking in the city on foot.

With that said, a walking tour must include crossing the bridges of the Seine. They all have a different personality... this means they are different in size, have different sculptures, and take in a different view in each direction (especially since the river bends so much). When crossing the bridges, you can get great landscape pictures of Paris. Sunrise and sunset are the best for colors over the city and reflecting in the water... and also right after sunset when the lights of the city (including the Eiffel Tower) get turned on. It just has a romantic feel when walking over the Seine. Another perk is that there are no "open container laws" Paris... so recommend bringing a bottle of wine and some cheese & crackers to your favorite bridge at the end of a long day.

Paris in Color

There is a French proverb that goes "Il faut manger pour vivre, et non pas vivre pour manger"... it means "Eat to live, don't live to eat." However, in France, the eating is just as good as the living. My diet in Paris consisted of four meals per day... breakfast at a boulangerie, lunch at a cafe (with a carafe of wine), late afternoon light dinner at a riverside cafe (with a glass or two of wine), and late night 3-4 course dinner at a proper restaurant (with more wine). I'm surprised I didn't gain more weight while there, but I guess the massive amount of walking helped to burn the calories.

These four photos are a representation of my trip to France... beautiful gardens and blue sky, cafes, ancient buildings, vineyards for as far as the eye can see, and picnics by the river. It was a great trip... although, it didn't start out so smoothly.

The reason I went to France was for a good friend's wedding at Île d'Oléron (island on the west coast about 2 hours northwest of Bordeaux). The wedding was amazing. The ceremony took place on top of a Citadelle in Oléron and had a ridiculous French tasting menu for dinner (with great wine). The party lasted until 5 in the morning. However, my luggage (with my new custom tailored suit and Italian dress shoes) did not arrive... and I had nothing to wear except what I had been in for the last 30+ hours. I looked and felt like a mess. Luckily, a new friend let me borrow a nice button down shirt and tie for the wedding (thanks Stephen!)... and it all kind of worked out.

The main lessons I learned are:
1. Do not connect through London Heathrow (3rd time my luggage has gotten delayed there).
2. If it is absolutely necessary to connect through London Heathrow, do not check luggage.
3. London Heathrow has an annoying security/transfer system (need the "fast pass").
4. Try to avoid London Heathrow at all costs (unless your final destination is London).

More photos from this trip to come later....