The Louvre from the Seine

Our friends suggested that we aquaint ourselves with the city with a boat tour up the Seine. Although this was great for getting to know something about the city, it was less than perfect for taking pictures.

The Eiffel Tower

The symbol of Paris was our next stop. Here the whole family poses for the proto-typical tourist shot, much to their chagrin!

The Arc de Triomphe as seen from the Eiffel Tower

Night was falling, but we did get to the top for a birds-eye view of Paris, including much of what we had seen from our boat ride. There's a matching picture below...

The Tower at Night

Due to some elevator problems, it took us a while to get down from the tower; by the time we did, it was after dark. However, that lent itself to this picture, Nancy's favorite.

Musee d'Orsay

One of the most impressive collections I've ever seen, especially know for the Impressionists. Oddly, you are allowed to take pictures in both the d'Orsay (although no flashes) and the Louvre. I did take some pictures, and I'm considering put up a page of just art.

My Daughters on the Banks of the Seine

After the Musee d'Orsay, we took a long walk along the Seine and through the Latin Quarter. Here the girls take a brief rest on the bank.

The Oldest Restaurant in Paris

According to our friends, this is the oldest restaurant in Paris. It was great to have a friend (and his French wife!) to show us to some of the more unusual places, and who knows where some really good restaurants are!

The Sacre-Coeur on Montmarte

This beautiful church is on a hill (Mountmarte) and there is a tram up the side of said hill if you don't want to walk. It's quite a sight especially at night. At the top, in a square near the church, about a dozen artists were trying to convince the tourists (us!) to let them do portraits... for a price!

Cathedral St. Eustache

Another beautiful cathedral; it wasn't open when we got there (near sundown), so I don't actually know much about it. There was a famous sculpture in front (i.e., I have seen pictures of it) of a head with a hand in front; look to the Art pictures.

The Sorbonne

The Mount St. Mary's of Paris! I also saw Renee Decarte University, which I liked the name of, but had never before heard about.

The Cathedreal of Notre Dame

This was the most crowded place we visited. The line to go up the bell tower was (according to a sign) more than an hour long. We spent time inside, instead.

Entrance to Notre Dame

As you can see, there is restoration work on-going on the tower on the left. The line for the Tower tour is not visible on the left.

Notre Dame Entrance Detail

Most of the Cathedrals we have visited have elaborate decoration around the main entrances, and Notre Dame is no exception.

The High Altar in Notre Dame

Unlike most of the English Cathedrals, pictures are allowed in Notre Dame. This is the primary, or High Altar.

The Flying Butresses of Notre Dame

This famous architectural feature, and their highly decorated nature, give Notre Dame its distinctive nature. Compare these to the plainer, more utilitarian butresses on Westminster Abby (when I finally get those posted!).

Gargoyles!

I would feel remiss if I didn't include a picture of the famous gargoyles of Notre Dame. Most of the ones on view here are functional, to move draining water away from the foundation.

The I.M. Pei Entrance to the Louvre

This is just after our morning in the Louvre. Again, photos are allowed inside, and I hope to post some of those later. Nancy, Sara and Ronnie are discussing what they've seen. We tend to go our separate ways in museums, which means we often have quite different experiences.

Obelisk of Louxor

This marks the spot where the guilotine was placed during the French Revolution. We passed this as we made our way from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe along the Champ-Elysees.

The Grand Paliais

One of two large exhibition halls along the Champ-Elysees, built at the same time as the Eiffel Tower, I believe.

The Arc de Triomphe

Taken looking back towards the Louvre; pictures from the other side are somewhat obscured by lamp posts, etc. (even worse than this one).

The Eiffel seen from the Arc

We tend to climb anything that they'll let us, and the Arc de Triomphe was no exception. Great views of Paris, although a bit hazy the day we were there. The traffic around the Arc is... well, crazy! The entering traffic (from 9 or 10 streets) has the right-of-way, making for truly epic traffic snarls.

The Arc de Triomphe at Night

Nancy is a fan of the night pictures; this is the opposite side, as well.

Town Hall

I'm not sure of the French name of this building; I was just told it was Town Hall, where the business of running Paris going on. A bit different from London's Town Hall, eh? (First batch of pictures)

The Moulin-Rouge

The girls wanted to see this, as they had seen the Nicole Kidman film. They put on quite a show, with singing, dancing, magicians, jugglers, etc. Oh yes, topless showgirls. The audience is mostly 'older' couples, as there's nothing sleazy about the show. However, it is located in an area that is plenty sleazy.