A trip to Paris: Part 2

On our second full day in Paris, Saturday, we woke up with a plan to head straight for Notre Dame, one of the most famous sites in Paris. After a few photos outside we wondered in to look at the amazing stained glass windows that could rival the work in the King's College Chapel. 

Inside of Notre Dame

Stained glass in Notre Dame, famous window!

Outside of Notre Dame

After a tour through Notre Dame we walked the five or more miles to the "Basilique du Sacre-Coeur" a famous Church in the just as famous Montmartre district in Paris. What a long walk it was, but certainly worth it and full of strange sights along the way.

Modern art in central Paris.

This statue looks familiar...

Finally, we arrived at the church and what a beautiful sight it was at the top of a hill, which we quickly climbed to get a better view of the city. 

Basilique de Sacre-Coeur

A nice overlook at the Paris skyline!

We began our long walk to the Eiffel tower, another half dozen miles or so, but had to first stop by a bar for some coffee and a little wine. Partly by accident and party by careful planning we stumbled upon the Moulin Rouge theatre.

Moulin Rouge theatre.

We decided to take a metro rather than walk the rest of the way to the Eiffel tower, since it was getting late. On a whim we jumped on a metro heading just south of the Eiffel tower, but close enough for a nice walk. When we got out of the metro we were behind a large building, when we turned the corner we saw the beautiful skyline of the Eiffel tower all lit up, an amazing view.

Overlooking the Eiffel tower at night.

Just before we ascended the tower.

Having seen most of Paris by day from high up places, we decided we would ascend the Eiffel tower at night to see the night skyline of the city. Unfortunately the top of the tower was closed all weekend. We decided to skip the hour-long wait for the elevator and take the stairs, not too difficult a walk. Of course, right as we started to go up it started raining, and didn't stop. Fortunately, two Oregonians were used to that and we had a great time anyway.

From the Eiffel tower.

From half-way up the tower.

Paris from the tower.

Katherine and I on the Eiffel tower.

Katherine on the way to the lowest level of the tower.

The tour of the Eiffel tower ended our Saturday, but we were on our way up in elevation early Sunday with a trip to the top of Notre Dame. I should say, this was the best view in Paris and the most fun event of our weekend.  

Paris from Notre Dame.

Paris from Notre Dame with gargoyle.

A beautiful Sunday in Paris!

What is the gargoyle eating?

Me in front of the bell at Notre Dame

After Notre Dame Katherine and I had lunch before she had to head to the airport, and I stayed after for another four hours to await my train back to London.

View from my walk along the river.

On my way to the train station I went back by the Louvre and along the river, but the most interesting find was stumbling on this famous modern art sculpture in Paris.

Modern art in Paris.

Katherine and I had an amazing time in Paris, and I cannot wait to go back in the future when my parents come for a visit to the United Kingdom in May. I am leaving for Northern Ireland and Ireland soon, spending a few days in Belfast before traveling to Dublin and then Galway on the western coast.

A trip to Paris: Part 1

February 17th was Katherine's birthday, and we decided several months ago that we would take a trip somewhere that weekend. Her choice was Paris. A great choice. Our trip to Paris began the day before her birthday, on last week Thursday. She left from Spain and I took the Eurostar train underground from London to Paris. I would argue traveling in an underground underwater train is the only way to get to Paris, or at least the coolest way to get to Paris. We stayed for three days in a studio apartment of a friend-of-a-friend of Katherine's, a great price and a great location... as we noticed from the view on our first night in the apartment.

View from the first night in the studio we stayed at, look at the sparkling tower!

The next morning Katherine and I woke up and set out to practice our French. "BONE-JORE, PAR LAY VOOZ ON GLAYZ?" We continually said, of course followed by "EXCUZEMUAH." Fortunately everyone we ran into was very nice, and the stereotype about French rudeness to Americans seemed overblown. Our first day plan was to walk to the Eiffel Tower and perhaps see the Arc de Triomphe. We did so much more than that, starting in the morning with coffee and croissants and then a walk down the Seine River through central Paris toward the Eiffel Tower.

Our view in the morning out the window, a great location.

Our sight seeing tour was not planned to say the least, and we happened to walk upon a big building, so we went inside. Only then did we realize, oh wait, Napoleon is buried in here! So we looked through the military relics and continued on our own mission to the Eiffel tower.

The lock your love and throw away the key bridge, as I'd call it.

Where Napoleon is buried, Les Invalides.

French tank.

Katherine and I in front of Les Invalides.

We grabbed a baguette and a bottle of wine and enjoyed a nice picnic in the park next to the Eiffel Tower. What a beautiful place, despite some cloudy weather, to enjoy lunch.

Our lunch spot.

I'm so cool in front of the Eiffel Tower.

We decided since the top of the tower was closed we wouldn't go up during the day, and walked on to the Arc de Triomphe.

Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel tower from across the river.

The Arc de Triomphe is a large Arc situated in the center of the eight busiest streets in Paris. Inside the Arc is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I and atop is a view of all of Paris.

Tomb of the unknown soldier at Arc de Triomphe.

Me on top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Panoramic view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from the Arc de Triomphe.

Katherine turned 23 in Paris.

Arc de Triomphe

After the Arc we toured the Champs Elysees street toward the Louvre, one of the most historic (and expensive) streets in all of Paris. A quick look at the prices (10 euros for coffee) and we continued down toward the Louvre. On our way we stopped to view the Luxor Obelisk, an object from Egypt that is 3,300 years old and was gifted to France in the 19th century.

Luxor Obelisk.

Our tour of Paris continued with a walk toward the Paris Opera House, famous for inspiring the Phantom of the Opera. I must say, I was less aware of the history of this building than Katherine was. Unfortunately, we just missed out on a chance to tour through the Opera House, we'll leave that for another trip.

Opera House

Through careful research, or perhaps dumb luck, we found out that the Louvre, typically an all day event and expensive for non-EU citizens, was free on Friday evenings from 6-9pm. So we decided to stop in for a quick visit... oops. The Louvre is huge, and construction made navigating the Louvre feel like we were on a hidden camera show making fun of tourists. Fortunately we were still able to see all of the top exhibits in the Louvre, but I will need a return trip to the Louvre to really appreciate it.

The famous pyramid above the Louvre entrance.

Inside the pyramid.

Venus de Milo

Mona Lisa, behind a lot of security.

Upside down pyramid.

Louvre at night

Now dark and a little wet, or first day in Paris was not yet over. We had Katherine's birthday dinner in a local French restaurant left to go. We walked home quickly to change, as the apartment was close to the center of the city (next to the Pantheon). Dinner was great, classical French food in a fun environment, complete with a signed poster of Woody Allen.

The Pantheon at night, near where we stayed.

Katherine's birthday (23rd) dinner!

Whew, what a long, busy, and amazing day in Paris. I was really impressed with the city, and although it was not the nicest time to visit (the trees had no leaves and it was rainy), day one showed it was definitely worth the trip.