Time to get my remaining posts completed! Okay, so it’s waaaay past time to get them posted. Work just keeps geings in the way. But I digress…………..
The Eiffel Tower
Built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
Two years, two months and five days and the construction was complete – considered a veritable technical and architectural achievement.
As France’s symbol and the showcase of Paris it welcomes almost 7million visitors a year, making it the most visited monument you have to pay for in the world. There were four less visitors to Paris that did not pay, but of course we walked near and around it for a few photos.
Only intended to last 20 years, Eiffel encouraged experiments an example being radio transmissions which was followed by telecommunications.
Yep, we found locks. No longer on the Pont des Art bridge, tourists have found other places and there were plenty of vendors looking to sell people locks. The tradition or ritual goes like this…………….couples inscribe their names or initials on the padlock, lock it on the bridge and throw the keys into the river. The ritual symbolizes love locked forever.
Arc de Triomphe
It was commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napoleon at the peak of his fortunes and favors Roman structures. Construction was halted and started several times before its completion 30 years later.
The Arc de Triomphe became the rallying point of the French troops after completing successful military campaigns. It was the largest arch until 1922 when another Arch de Triumph was built in North Korea.
The Arc de Triomphe sits at the center of a ‘star’ due to the meeting point of twelve straight streets.
Each pillar represents important French battles and victories. 660 names are inscribed on the Arc de Trioumph.
284 stairs leads you to the top of the Arc and some wonderful views of Paris and yes, another view of the Eiffel Tower.
My attempt at a more ‘artistic’ black & white photo.
The opposite view gives you a view of another monument…….. Grande Arch de la Defense, designed in 1982 and completed in 1989. A much more modern square arch, built as a monument to humanity and humanitarian ideas.
Going up also means you must go down, another 284 steps.
At the bottom lies the tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI interred on Armistice Day in 1920. An internal flame burns in front of the tomb to symbolize France’s undying appreciation for him and the French troops that lost their lives. The flame is rekindled daily at 6:30pm.
One last photo before the next Paris icon.
Place de la Concorde
It is one of the major public squares Paris and the largest in the French capital. It was the site of many notable executions. At the center is the Luxur Obelisk, a gift from the Egyptian government in the 19th century.
Turn around 180 degrees and you can see another view of the Arc de Triomphe.
Turn around 180 degrees again and now you’re at the Tuileries Gardin gate.
Jardin des Tuileries
Opened to the public in 1667 it became a public park after the French Revolution. It has been a place where Parisians celebrate, meet, stroll and relax. The gardens were blooming with iris (and other flowers) during our visit.
Water basins and statues add to the charm of the gardens.
Adjacent to Tuileries Garden is the Louvre.
The Louvre
Okay, let’s be honest……………………….this is the closest we got – a photo of the pyramid.
A few quick shots before continuing on our Paris adventures.
Maybe, just maybe some day we will visit the museum.
There’s a few more posts before we leave the European continent that I still need to write. I’ll leave you with a shot that Adrienne captured during one of her early morning runs.
Darden Travels 