Paris, 2006
 
 
The weather gods were on our side today, it was beautiful! Today we rode to the top of the Eiffel Tower, walked along the Seine to Ile de Cite, visited Ste Chapelle and Notre Dame, explored Ile St Louis and ate one huge 4 course dinner! Day 2
Pont d'Iena over the Seine
tour boats
Palais de Challot, on the Right Bank (Rive Droite), now a museum
Looking up at the first level at 187 ft. Take the lift or climb 360 steps.
The complex pattern of girders was to stabilize, but it is also beautiful.
This double-deck electric lift began operation in 1965. It is the largest in the tower, holding 110 people per trip.
bust of Eiffel
looking straight up from the 2nd level at 376 ft. 359 steps up from the first level.
Parc du Champ de Mars
Elgise du Dome at center
at the 2nd level. If you really don’t like heights, don’t go higher.
Panoramic view north “stitched” together from 4 photos.
looking west
looking north-west Palais de Challot and Place du Trocadero
Palais de la Decouverte, Grand Palais, Petite Palais
3rd level at 905 ft. Can hold 800 people. 1,665 steps from the 2nd to 3rd level. The top (including antenna) is 1,063 ft. high
Weather station at top. The tower never sways more than 2.5”, but can move in a curve of 7” in heat.
Ride from 2nd to 3rd level was a bit unnerving. This was shot going back down.
looking up to where we’d been
Electric elevator controls
foundation
I “stitched” this shot together from 3 photos.
lock shop next to the hotel
apartments in the 16th Arrondissment (Trocadero)
life size flame replica at Pont de L’Alma, site of Princess Diana’s death. It has become an unofficial memorial to her.
Right Bank apartments
Grand Palias, now a museum
Bronze statues by Récipon
Pont Alexander III. Constructed of o single-span 18ft high steel arch.
Named for Tsar Alexander III who laid the foundation stone in 1896.
Dark silhouettes against the clouds
Assemblee Nationale
Musee D'Orsay
Musée du Louvre
Pont Royal
Musée du Louvre
Musée du Louvre
Vendors sell old books, souvenirs and paintings along the river. Chris purchased a beautiful painting from one.
Palais de Justice
One end of Ile de la Cite. The island was settled by the Gallic Parisii tribe and took the name Paris in the 5th century.
Sainte Chapelle. Built by Louis IX in only 6 years (1242-1248).
Designed to house the Crown of Thorns.
it cost £40,000 to build in 1242. The chapel was a symbol of both the monarchy and religion.
Lower chapel, for the palace staff, 21 ft. ceiling
Upper Chapel, for the King’s use.
15 panels with 1,100 themes
6,458 sq. ft. of glass of which 2/3 are original
Rose window
Close-up
altar
Private viewing window for King Louis, who did not like to have to get dressed up
Each window is divided into lancets which must be read left to right, bottom to top.
vaulted ceiling
angel in bondage…I guess this guy has trouble staying upright
Palais de Justice
Spire of Sainte Chapelle
The Cour du Mai (the main courtyard)
Cité Metro stop. One of the original early 20th century entrances.
west facade of Notre-Dame
“Point Zéro” the very center of France. All distances are measured from this point.
beautiful afternoon light
Notre-Dame means “Our Lady”. That is Mary in the center with the Rose window behind her
I did not spend much time inside at all, so there are not many photos.
Rose window
Altar. The church can hold 10,000 people
The gargoyles, which function as rain spouts represent souls caught between heaven and earth.
Side view of the flying butresses
Next, we walked over to Ile St-Louis. This island wasn’t developed until the 18th century.
It is a residential area, with tons of shops, boutiques, and restaurants.
Fromagerie. Cheese, cheese, cheese!!!
delicious gelato. Ile St-Louis is known for its ice cream shops. Even in November, there are lines.
This is where we would have dinner, only it does not open until 7pm…
…So we continued walking for a few more hours. One of the shops we passed.
We crossed over to the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and had a drink in Cafe Panis in Saint Germain
Notice the guy playing in the back.
butcher shop-the wings still have feathers! The feet are still on! Makes me want to be vegetarian…
Finally 7pm rolls around, and its time for our first course at Au Sargent Recruteur on Ile St Louis
These are the appetizers we didn’t choose.
After the main dish, we were served a cheese plate before our desert
would you like some pepper on that?
Walking back to the Metro station, we passed by Notre-Dame all lit up.
How far to home?
Remains of Paris from 2,000 years ago.
Waiting for the Metro
Borat in French!
We bought a “carnet” of 10 tickets to get around underground
10:30 pm on a Friday night on the Champs Elysées
Place de Charles De Gaulle once again. Only a short walk to our hotel.
I recommend the slideshow -but you must have pop-ups enabled to view larger photos.