Paris, 2006
 
 
Today we made an early start for the Louvre, spent a few hours among the great works of art, then I climbed 400 stairs up the towers of Notre-Dame. After hanging out with the stone beasties, I met up with Chris, and we continued our journey to the Saint Germain area… (Pt. 2) Day 3, Part 1
Pyramide entrance to the Louvre
Glass entrance designed by I.M. Pei, opened in 1989
Richelieu Wing
she looks comfy- Hermaphrodite Endormi
Pan
Photos only allowed where there are no paintings
except for cielings
Venus de Milo, real name Aphrodite
Carved in the Hellenistic Age at the end of the 2nd century b.c.
Apollon vainquier du serpent Python
Cupid & Psyche- Antonio  Canova
The Dying Slave-Michalengelo Buonarrotin
Roman sarcophogus
Throne of Bacchus-Vatican
Grand Sphynx-Egyptian
Base of towers and drawbridge support of original fortress
model of medieval fortress built by King Philippe-Aguste in 1190 to protect paris from Viking raids
On to the Egyptian wing of Sully Hall.
ancient kitties!
1400-1300 bc
six sphynx 4th and 3rd century b.c.
reliefs de Ramses II 1275 b.c.
Pharaoh Chris?
Hymns to Osiris 18th dynasty 1550-1295 b.c.
Louis XIV
Arc de Triumphe du Carrosel. Built to celebrate Napoleon’s victories in 1805.
more people than when we went in, but still not mobbed.
Denon wing from the street
a beautiful day for a stroll along the Seine…
looking at Pont des arts
swans in the Seine
The Conciergerie. Built in the early 14th century. Its history as a place of imprisonment, torture, and death is significant.
back to Ile de la Cité
I wouldn’t want to stand under them in a rainstorm!
climbing the Towers of Notre Dame-387 steps
out of breath, I arrive at the Chimeras gallery. They were designed in the 19th century.
Stryga- most photographed Chimera. Meaning bird of night, vampire or hag.
Foreground-Place du Parvis (Cathedral Square) where older cathedrals once stood.
Chimeras are fantastic birds, hybrid animals and mythical monsters.
Chimeras are ornamental sculpture
North bell tower. Coiled leaf ornaments are called crockets
what a view this fellow has!
is it lunch yet?
they are protecting the angel
more steps up the South bell tower
bell facts
inside the belfry is all wood!
the Great Bell cast in the 17th century
it took 16 men to ring this 15 ton bell
bell-ringing facts
total weight: 15 tons
back outside to visit more of my friends
I am 46 meters above ground
Sacre Couer in distance, highest point in Paris
Roof of nave and spire of transept crossing. Replaces a smaller version knocked down during the revolution.
gargoyle's view over the church. Flying buttresses are like ribs
Pont de la Tournelle and Pont de Sully to Ile St. Louis
looking over the Quarter Latin
Ste Chapelle's spire peeks out of Palais de Justice buildings
back on the ground after coming down all those stairs
The Square Jean XXIII behind Notre Dame
the back of Notre-Dame
Fountain of the Virgin has been here since 1845
book, paining and souvenier sellers along the Seine
Deportation Memorial to 200,000 people sent to concentration camps in WWII
I recommend the slideshow -but you must have pop-ups enabled to view larger photos.
Our day is only just begun! Day 3 continues on the next page.