"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. 

Le Tour De Eiffel

No trip to Paris is complete until you make one visit to the Eiffel Tower. I've never actually been to the top of it (lines are always too long), but it makes for a remarkable backdrop to any photo. The Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in Paris and can be seen from most parts of the city. It was under construction when I visited (building a new elevator system in the middle of it)... kind of interested to see what it looks like when they are finished. 

Recommend getting a nice viewing area of the Eiffel Tower as the sun goes down... puts on a nice light show.

A Carnival in the Park

As I was walking along the Seine, I noticed a big ferris wheel in the Tuileries Garden. Normally, I think that carnivals are cheesy (try to avoid them at all costs). However, for some reason, a carnival in Paris seemed fitting... and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. I decided to take a walk over and have a look. After buying some cotton candy, I took a few photos.

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.

Château Pape Clément - "History & Wine"

Château Pape Clément is located just outside the city of Bordeaux and is the oldest planted vineyard in the region (planted in 1300). Like most old vineyards in France, its origins trace back to the Church. The chateau gets its name from the archbishop Bertrand de Goth... whose papal name was Clement V.

Everything at Château Pape Clément is still done the old fashioned way... no fancy steel vats, de-stemming machines, or computerized systems. It's all done by hand and is controlled by experienced wine makers. Each year the wine is blended and crafted differently depending on the harvest. It's remarkable to taste the differences of each season.

Château Pape Clément has some of the tastiest (and expensive) wines I've ever tried!

Saint-Émilion - "Wine & History"

Prior to my last trip to France, Saint-Émilion was just a label that I saw on wine bottles. I knew that good red wines came from this region (especially Merlot), but didn't know anything about the history of the area or it's cultural significance. Romans had started planting vineyards in Saint-Émilion during the second century... and the town is named after a hermit monk Émilion who had carved his home into a rock (it was the monks that came after him that started commercial wine production).

Saint-Émilion is also classified as a "world heritage site" by UNESCO. The town is situated on a limestone plateau... and many buildings are made out of this stone. One of the most unique buildings I saw was a giant church that was built by carving into the limestone and is completely underground. The grayish/white buildings make for a very stark contrast between the lush green vineyards that surround the town. I climbed to the top of the bell tower in town and snapped a few pictures. It's a ridiculously beautiful area.

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....