After a relaxing time in Switzerland, we head to Paris.
Took the better part of the day to get there, and headed straight into the heart of Paris, the Notre Dame de Paris. Beautiful Gothic style church set in the centre island of the Seine River, 93m high and 442 steps to the top of the church. We were fortunate enought to witness mass at the Notre Dame de Paris. There were 2 priests with an altar girl singing hymms accompanied by pipe organs. Absolutely awe inspiring to see and hear.
Later wandered down to the Latin Quarter, so called because this is where Latin was thought in the University in years gone by. Tiny little streets, which is typical of old Paris, lined with cheap restaurants and souvenier shops. Had dinner of escargots here... baked snails in garlic and butter, delicious!!
Later joined up with the tour group again for a drive to the main sights of Paris, stopping at the Eiffel Tower for photos. Later we had a relaxing cruise down the Seine River, which criss-crossed Paris. Buildings were illuminated, and we got to se the Loueve, Notre Dame de Paris from a different perspective. The highlight was at the end of the Cruise, with the Eiffel Tower lighting up with thousands of little fairy lights as we docked. A very romantic city.
Full day in Paris and last day of tour. Start ff with a drive around Paris to see more of the landmark sights, Arch D'triumph, Opera House. Place de la Concorde ( oldest obelisk at 7000 hrs old ), Champs Elysees ( street full of designer shops ) , Hotel des Invalides ( originally a hostel for war veterans, now a war museum ), Museum D'orsay ( impressionist ar museum, oiginally a train station ), St Joan of Arc statute ( in gold, I wander people don't actually try and steal it, its just by the street side?? ), Musee de Loueve.
We visited the Loueve, a large museum in Paris, holding more than 4000 art pieces in 19km of corridors. The highlights in the Loueve was the Mona Lisa, The Winged triumph, Venus de Milo and Napolean's Apartment. THis was just the tip of the iceberg, there is so much art and history in this building. You could spend a week in here and maybe, just maybe see all the art pieces here. The Loueve was originally a palace, but it was not grand enough, so King Louis built a newer, grander, bigger one in Versailles. GOt to see the spots in the Loueve made famous in The Da Vinci code. There is even a Da Vinci Code tour for die-hard fans!
The grand finale to the tour was a cabaret show, La Nouvelle Eve, meaning New Year's eve, serving a 4 course dinner and a lovely drop of Bordeoux wine. Stunning show with dancing, singing, mimes, acrobat, and trapeezee act. Busy taking photos of everyone as it was the last night. Back at the hotle for a nightcap and a chat to the lovely people we'd met on tour.
Another rainy day in Paris. It had been raining since we arrived here. THe locals say it is unusual for summer. Despite the rain we decided to visit Sacre Couer Basilica in Montmarte. Fairly easy to understand the rail system in Paris. Sacre Couer Basilican is a church set on a little hill in Montmarte. QUite a few steps to go up to it but gives a decent view of Paris. After that we wandered through the streets of MOntmarte, lots of souvenier shops and artists plying their trade. Some gorgeous paintings being sold in the market square.
With the weather clearing a bit more and the top of Eiffel Tower visible again, we went to join the massive queues to go up to the top. Spent two hours in the queue to get to middle point of the tower, and another half hour to get to the top of the tower at 1072 ft high. Brilliant view from the top, being able to pick out the famous landmark points in the city. Check out our pictures!
French McDonald's for brunch! Quite a nice treat. You get orange juice, tea/coffee, yoghurt with fruits, bacon and egg McMuffin, and 3 little French pastries. Keeps you going for a while! After filling our belly off to find a train to Versailles, to visit the Chateau, the famous palace that replaced the Loueve as the royal palace, built by King Louis 13th. Another show of the royal family's extravagance and waste of resources! Huge spread of a palace with paintings on the ceilings, elaborate carvings, marble columns, gold gilded furnishings, even a Hall of Mirrors ( mirrors were new and expensive during that time ). He had his rooms built in the centre of the palace, facing the rising sun, hence the nickname the Sun King. What was most interesting is that this palace has an extensive garden of 7800 hectres originally, but is now reduced to 780 hectres. Fully manicured gardens with mazes, a canal that holds up to 9 battle ships ( because King Louis wanted to re-enact naval battles in his backyard, just for fun! ),99 fountains, and Marie-Antoinette's personal gardens as well. Imagine the size and scope of just the gardens!
Las day in Paris, and we were more than ready to see the next country! Visited Hotel des Invalides, which is a war museum. MOst interesting was Napolean's tomb, which is housed in a chapel here. The tomb is set in the middle of the chapel, from the top you have to look down, just like bowing to him. From the crypt you have to look up at the tomb, putting him in a superior position. I bet Napolean liked that! :)
Slow stroll through the Tuilerries Gardens ( coz Jesse had developed a blister the size of Australia by now!!!), part of the LOueve which is open to the public. Beautiful statues, manicured lawns, family with kids playing in the park, lovely fountains, kids playing sailboats in the fountains and even lucky enough to catch the last few days of a fair in the Tuilerries Garden. Took a ferris wheel ride, which gave us a great view of Paris.
Good bye Paris, hello Vienna!!
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