Day
155: Around Paris - Tues 7 Oct, 2014
Raining lightly, cold. Off to catch train to Charles De Gaulle station
(absolutely longest maze underground to get out of the tunnel up into the air)
and Arc de Triomphe (which describes how we felt on finding ourselves in front
of this freedom icon, almost 50 years after studying it in school and dreaming
of going there one day!!)
 |
| Dreams DO come true.... |
 |
| Newest version of planking?? |
Took hop on/off bus past all major sights, beautiful Opera House designed by
Garnier. Construction struck opposition at time, myth said it was being built over
underground lake, which later became a story, which became the Phantom of the
Opera (GirlRob’s all-time favourite). Passed rhino and horse statues of the Musee d’Orsay, and the backside of a bronze copy of The Thinker in garden of Musee Rodin.
 |
| Opera House |
 |
| Musee d'Orsay |
 |
| George Washington |
 |
| Bronze copy of Rodin's Thinker |
 |
| Evolution of Man Museum |
 |
| Tantalising glimpses from the bus |
 |
Musee des Beaux Artes
(Petit Palais)
|
 |
| Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées |
 |
| Madeleine Church |
 |
| Restoration vision... |
Went round circuit of Place de la Concorde (used to be Place de la
Revolution containing guillotine for public beheadings!), which features the impressive Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt dating from time of
Ramses II. This red granite monolithic column (built with single stone) has a gold-painted pyramidion at top. The hieroglyphics from the Temple of Luxor tell stories of Pharaohs
exploits and pay tribute to the gods. Vital statistics: 3000+ years old, 23
metres, 227 ton - a true antiquity.
 |
Dome housing Napoleon's tomb
|
 |
| Les Invalides, containing military history of France |
The twin fountains have major figures seated as in prow of a ship, florentined, painted in bronze and gold paint. Maritime Fountain represents oceans and industries; Fountain of Rivers represents major rivers and harvests.
Drove through narrow archway onto grounds of Louvre, for quick glimpse and out again (we know we need a full day for that experience...). Spotted Carousel Triumphal
Arch – the smallest of the three
arches on the Triumphal Way, the central axis between the Louvre and La Défense.
The arch is crowned with a replica bronze chariot, as the original has now
been returned to Venice.
 |
| Carousel Triumphal Arch |
 |
| La Conciergerie, former prison |
Lunched at cafe near
Notre Dame Cathedral, tempted to see it today but wanted to take slower-paced boat trip along Seine (and some of its 37 bridges) whilst weather was still reasonable.
 |
| Notre Dame de Paris |
Looped up and back, circling Isle de la Cite, seeing many of famous buildings again from a different (lower!) perspective.
 |
| St Genevieve, patron saint Paris |
 |
| Hmm, brick ceiling.... |
 |
| Couldn't begin to guess.... |
 |
| Zouave (workman) Alma Bridge |
 |
| Residence with carpark... |
Wanderoos stole a kiss as we passed under Lover’s Bridge
covered with locked padlocks (these are engraved with lovers' names and key
thrown into Seine to ensure bonds are never broken...)
No comments:
Post a Comment