Science, Photography, and Trip Reviews
.
Paris Tour of Scenic & Historic Sights
Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Louvre, & Arc de Triomphe,
Napoleon's Tomb, Opera Garnier, & Notre Dame
Conciergerie, Palace of Justice, & Seine River
Montmartre, Sacre-Coeur, & Moulin Rouge
Globus, Avalon, & River Cruise
|
Sunny, Rebecca, and the Eiffel Tower. |
Contact Us
River Cruise Prague to Paris
We were on a Globus Avalon small-ship river cruise tour that started in Prague, where there were two nights on the tour. From Prague we were taken to Nuremberg, Germany to board The Avalon Tranquility for our seven-night cruise through Central Germany. For details of the ship, onboard activities, dining, and more go to Avalon Tranquility. For a summary of the daily excursions in each of the towns visited as well as some beautiful scenes viewed from the ship while cruising go to Central Germany Cruise. After sightseeing in Germany we were taken across Luxemburg to board a high speed train for a quick trip to Paris. The tour ended in with two nights in Paris, which is described here. Contact Us for more information.
River Cruise Monaco/Nice to Paris
We were on a Globus Avalon small-ship river cruise tour that started in the French Riviera and Monaco, where we spent one night on the tour. From Monte Carlo we were taken to Arles, France on the Rhone River to board the Avalon Scenery for our seven-night cruise through Southern France. We were headed north in the Rhone River and then the Saone River. For details of our river cruise including shore excursions go to the different regions in the following order: Provence, Rhone Valley and Alps, and Burgundy. From Beaune we were taken by motor coach to Dijon. From there we took a high speed bullet train to Paris, which is explained here, and where we spent two nights. From Paris we did an excursion to Versailles. For details of the ship and onboard activities go to Avalon Scenery. Contact Us for more information.
Seine River
|
The Seine River in Paris. |
Paris is divided by the Seine River. To the south of the river is the Left Bank, whereas the Right Bank is found north of the river. The way to determine which is left and right you stand facing the direction the water flows in the river. The left bank is on your left and the right bank is on your right.
Left Bank
Eiffel Tower
It is now hard to believe that when the Eiffel Tower was built it was not popular with many people in Paris. Now it is one of the world's most famous landmarks. The builder of the tower was Gustave Eiffel. He built it for the World Exhibition in 1889. It is tall with a height of 1063 feet (324 meters). There is a restaurant, the Jules Verne, found on the second level of the tower. During evening hours the tower lights up every hour on the hour in an impressive show of lights. Everyone should go to the tower, and we did, as can be seen in the picture at the top of this page.
Notre-Dame
|
Front view (west facade) of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. |
The Notre-Dame Cathedral is considered to be one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Paris and is one of the most impressive in Europe. It dates from 1163, but was not finished until 1345. During this time talented craftsman created many beautiful works of art seen within the cathedral. Since it suffered damage during the French Revolution in the 1790s it had to be repaired in the 1800s. There is a popular fictional book by Victor Hugo about a hunchback, that in the story rang the bell in the cathedral. Above is the front of the cathedral, which has three entrances.
|
Statue of Charlemagne on a horse. |
The Notre-Dame is built on an island in the southern part of the Seine River. In front of the cathedral is a statue of Charlemagne riding a horse, which is shown above.
|
Nave of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. |
Pictured above is the attractive nave of the cathedra as viewed from the main entrance. The pipe organ has 7, 374 pipes and the organ has five manuals.
|
A biblical scene on a screen of the choir. |
Behind the Nave on the North and South screens of the choir are found numerous and attractive biblical scenes telling the story of Christ both before and after the Resurrection. One scene is shown above.
|
Statue in the Notre-Dame. |
There are many interesting statues on display throughout the cathedra, such as the one above. Many statues are also found outside the building such as the gargoyles.
|
A stained-glass window in the Notre-Dame. |
Numerous major events have taken place in the cathedral including the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804. Many colorful stained-glass windows can be seen in the cathedral. Note the one above.
|
Cherry-tree blossoms at Notre-Dame at spring time. |
During the spring there are beautiful tree blossoms on the property of the Notre-Dame, as seen in the above picture. There is a garden behind the cathedral.
|
The Notre-Dame seen from behind (east facade) the Cathedral in Paris. |
You get a much better idea of the size of the Notre-Dame when viewing the cathedral from behind (east facade) rather then from the front of the building. The south tower (one on the left above) is where Emmanuel, the name of the big bell, is found. It weighs more than 13 tons. You can reach it by climbing 387 steps. From that lofty position there are views of Paris.
Padlocks for Love
|
Many Padlocks attached to a bridge over the Seine River. |
A lot of padlocks are found on bridges over the Seine River. Couples place them there. A couple writes their name on a padlock and then lock it to the bridge. Then they throw the key into the river as a symbol of their undying love. Note the large number of padlocks shown above.
Conciergerie
|
Conciergerie on the Seine River. |
The Conciergerie was once a palace for the kings of France. In 1391 it became a prison where many people were held, tortured, and executed. During the French revolution Queen Marie Antoinette was held there until she was executed with the guillotine in 1793. She was only one of many that met that fate.
|
Clock on the Conciergerie Tower. |
The impressive clock above is found on the Conciergerie tower shown on the left in the picture of the Conciergerie.
Palace of Justice
|
Palace of Justice. |
The Palace of Justice is where the law courts reside in Paris. This has been the cite of justice since medieval times.
Napoleon's Tomb
|
Napoleon's Tomb in the Hotel des Invalides. |
The burial place of Napoleon is the Hotel des Invalides. Louis IV had it built in the late 17th century as a place for wounded or invalid soldiers to live. A military museum is found there. The Hotel des Invalides is seen in the picture above.
Right Bank
Arc de Triomphe
|
Triumphal Arch. |
The Arc de Triomphe was conceived by Napoleon, but when finished in 1836 the emperor was no longer in power. It reaches a height of 164 feet (50 meters). Be sure and notice the beautiful sculptures spread over the monument. There is a museum, and France's Unknown Soldier is buried below the arch. Twelve streets fan out from the monument. A climb to the top presents a view of the city. The monument is pictured above.
Louvre
The Louvre is a very large museum, which started out as a fortress in the 13th century. Through the years it has been added to numerous times. It is now regarded as one of the world's leading museums. It contains paintings and drawings; sculpture; prints; Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Asian Antiquities; art objects; furniture; and the French crown jewels. Many famous works of art are found at the Louvre, including the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci and the sculpture Venus de Milo. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Opera Garnier
Charles Garnier began construction of the opera house which bears his name, the Opera Garnier. Although very few operas are performed there these days, it is now the home of the Paris Ballet. The architecture and plush interior create an impressive theater. The ceiling displays painted scenes from operas and ballets. The stage is large enough for hundreds of performers, and there is a very large chandelier. The opera house is the setting for the story of the Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, which was made famous in recent years by the musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Montmarte
|
Guided walk in Montmartre, Paris. |
|
Windmill in Montmartre, Paris. |
Montmarte is an interesting area in Paris where we were taken on a walk with a local guide. This it is where you find the highest elevations in Paris, at more than 300 feet (92 meters). Because of the elevation there used to be lots of windmills there. You can still see a windmill, and one is shown in the picture above. On our walk we encountered the unusual statue of Headless Priest, shown below.
|
Headless priest in Montmartre, Paris. |
At one time there were also wheat fields in Montmartre. In the 1800s the fields disappeared, and the area became a favorite place for artists to reside. When you go there you can walk in the footsteps of such greats as Chopin, Picasso, and Renoir. It was a fascinating and delightful way to spend part of the afternoon. During free time we saw an area much like the French Quarter in New Orleans, where artists were painting portraits and selling paintings. Note the pictures below.
|
Artists with there artworks on display in Montmartre, Paris. |
|
Painter with model in Montmartre, Paris. |
Sacre-Coeur Basilica
|
Sacre Coeur Basilica in Montmartre, Paris. |
We visited the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, which rests on a hilltop in Montmarte. The basilica with its white exterior is an impressive sight. It dates from 1873, and the dome is 271 feet (83 meters) high. Within the basilica is a very large mosaic with figures including Christ. There is also a massive bell that weighs close to 19 tons. From the front steps or higher up in the dome there are great views of Paris.
|
Choo-choo train in Montmartre, Paris. |
We were taken to Montmartre, and then back again by the choo-choo train seen in the picture above. It made for an interesting ride through the streets.
Moulin Rouge
The famous Moulin Rouge is located in Montmarte. First built as a windmill, it was turned into a dance hall in 1900. We went to the cabaret one evening on a Globus tour. Dinner was served and we saw lots of dancing including the cancan. The dancers were dressed in colorful and scanty attire. Between dance numbers there were variety acts. It was a fun evening.
River Cruise Prague to Paris
We were on a Globus Avalon small-ship river cruise tour that started in Prague, where there were two nights on the tour. From Prague we were taken to Nuremberg, Germany to board The Avalon Tranquility for our seven-night cruise through Central Germany. For details of the ship, onboard activities, dining, and more go to Avalon Tranquility. For a summary of the daily excursions in each of the towns visited as well as some beautiful scenes viewed from the ship while cruising go to Central Germany Cruise. After sightseeing in Germany we were taken across Luxemburg to board a high speed train for a quick trip to Paris. The tour ended in with two nights in Paris, which is described here. Contact Us for more information.
River Cruise Monaco/Nice to Paris
We were on a Globus Avalon small-ship river cruise tour that started in the French Riviera and Monaco, where we spent one night on the tour. From Monte Carlo we were taken to Arles, France on the Rhone River to board the Avalon Scenery for our seven-night cruise through Southern France. We were headed north in the Rhone River and then the Saone River. For details of our river cruise including shore excursions go to the different regions in the following order: Provence, Rhone Valley and Alps, and Burgundy. From Beaune we were taken by motor coach to Dijon. From there we took a high speed bullet train to Paris, which is explained here, and where we spent two nights. From Paris we did an excursion to Versailles. For details of the ship and onboard activities go to Avalon Scenery.
Photos by Sunny Breeding. We sell images and prints.
