.....Paris, France

We traveled to Paris, France on July 24, 2001 to explore the city for 4 days!  We traveled from Brussels on the ‘fast’ train (24.79 euros one way) to Paris, taking only 1 hour and 20 minutes.  Traveling around Paris itself was easy using the Metro Trains.  We stayed at the Yllen Eiffel Hotel.  It was close to many of the attractions and sites around Paris.  It was VERY hot during our stay (80 degrees) and there was no air conditioning in our room!  The only downside! 

Eiffel Tower

Everyone in Paris visits the Eiffel Tower at some time!  It’s the most visited, paid monument in the world!  The Eiffell Tower was built in 1889 for the Universal Exhibition (World Fair) in Paris by Gustave Eiffel.  We climbed and climbed…..360 steps to the first level (187 ft) and 359 steps the second level (376 ft).  From the second level, we took the elevator to the 3^rd and top level (889 ft).  The Eiffel Tower stands tall at 1,063 feet.  The tower is 6 inches taller on hot days due to metal expansion and on a windy day, it sways 2-3 inches!  The views from the top are amazing!

View from the Eiffel Tower
Looking at the Statue of Liberty,
which faces west towards the
Statue of Liberty in NY

Hotel des Invalides

Napoleon

Paris is divided into 14 areas or quarters, and we traveled in and out of most of them.  The Hotel des Invalides is a major attraction we visited.  It was founded by Louis XIV (1670) as a home and hospital for war veterans.  There are many tombs and vaults located in des Invalides containing the remains of notable military heroes, including the sarcophagus of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821).  The dome of the United States Capitol was inspired by the dome of the Hotel des Invalides. 

Napoleon Bonaparte was laid to rest
at the Hotel des Invalides 1861

Notre Dame

Gold cross over the Pieta

Notre Dame (also known as Our Lady of Paris) is a famous gothic Catholic cathedral in Paris.  The first stone for the cathedral was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163.  It took 170 years to complete.  The cathedral houses the reliquary of the Crown of Thorns and works of art including the gold cross over the Pieta, the Virgin of the Pillar Statue (Our Lady of Paris) and several Rose Windows depicting events in Christianity. 

Jim Morrison
1943-1971

We made a stop at the largest cemetery in Paris, Le Pere Lachaise.  It is the world’s most visited cemetery.  More than 1 million bodies are buried there.  The cemetery is the final resting place for famous French poets, artists, composers, sculpters, entertainers, military heroes, just to recognize a few.  The most famous American buried at Le Pere is Jim Morrison (1943-1971).  He was a singer and song writer for The Doors.  Crowds of visitors and vandals have caused tension between the singer’s family and other less famous interred individuals.  Those stopping to pay homage to Jim Morrison’s often guarded gravesite leave cigarettes, liquor bottles and other paraphernalia.  Other famous residents include Oscar Wilde, Frederic Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, Isadora Duncan, and Edith Piaf. 

Dinner at Vesuvio

Arc de Triomphe

When visiting the Arc de Triomphe, we enjoyed a great dinner at Vesuvio.  It was right on the Champs Elysees with a perfect view of the Arc de Triomphe.  We ate pizza and drank wine.  It was fabulous!  After filling our bellies, we headed to the Arc.  Twelve avenues radiate from the Arc at the center.  The Tour de France was also set to end at the end of July at the Arc de Triomphe.  They were actually setting up the chair for patrons to view the finish of the race.  The sunset from the top of the Arc is a must see!

Champs-Elysees

The Louve

Towards the end of our trip to Paris, we spent some time at the Louve.  The Louve is one of the largest museums with art from all over the world.  The pyramid itself was designed by Chinese American Ming Pei.  The most famous painting in the Louve is the Mona Lisa.  It was painted by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519).  There is much controversy over the painting and the subject.  It’s actually very small and is guarded under thick glass.  Other works of art include sculptures, paintings, and artifacts. 

The final was an evening at the Moulin Rouge.  We booked tickets through our hotel for the show titled Feerie.  We took the train to the Moulin Rouge and had dinner at a great family pizza restaurant just around the corner.    The Moulin Rouge was built in 1885 and made into a dance call in 1900.  The sail on the windmill is original.  Tickets cost $143 US and included a bottle of champagne.  The show was amazing….cabaret style with 60 Doriss girls (cancan), costumes of feathers, rhinestones, and sequins.  It also included a giant aquarium and python as part of the show.  Another highly recommended attraction!

Sunset on the Grand Arch of Defense
Paris, France

We had a great time in Paris.  We returned back to our hotel in Brussels to get the rest of our luggage and prepare for the long (15 hour) trip back home.  The entire trip was amazing, and I hope to return again someday!!!