Akris boutique
The exterior of Akris shop on Avenue Montaigne in Paris
Date: 07/02/2008
The great thing about being in Paris is that you can just keep shopping. If you do not want to stress over where to buy what you need, head over to Avenue Montaigne, just off Champs-Elysees and all the boutiques are in one place. This is the exterior of the Akris boutique and you can see a mannequin with one of the latest collections by Albert Kriemler.
Alain Afflelou boutique on Champs-Elysees
Glasses that matter
Date: 07/02/2008
Alain Afflelou is a chain of stores in France that sells glasses and contact lenses. Not just any glasses but spectacles that are worn by French women.
Sculpture in Versailles
An angel holding an arrow
Date: 07/02/2008
If you are in Versailles on a beautiful day, make sure to spend time outside in the gardens admiring all the beautiful marble sculptures. This angel with an arrow is one of them.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arch of Victory in Paris
Date: 07/02/2008
The Arc de Triomphe at one end of Champs-Elysees is one a> that is not be missed. The other, of course, being the Eiffel Tower. If you wish you can even go to the top but I am not sure if it is worth the trouble. It is much better to soak in the views from below.
Bastille Opera House
The new place for enjoying opera in Paris
Date: 07/02/2008
While the original Opera House in Paris is alive and well, if you actually want to enjoy opera or other artistic performances, you will need to visit this modern building right in the Bastille Square.
Bastille Column
Colonne de Juillet in Place de la Bastille
Date: 07/02/2008
This tower is what is now the main attraction in Bastille Square, and of course, there is the Opéra Bastille. Nothing remains of the original Bastille prison, so central to French Revolution. Many tourists are disappointed not to find anything there, but guess what, there are so many nice restaurants in Marais district.
Boulevard Richard Lenoir
With Colonne de Juillet in the background
Date: 07/02/2008
This is the view from my hotel Citadines Bastille Marais. It was an inexpensive, very comfortable, and came with great views. You can almost see the Bréguet-Sabin Metro station, which is minutes away. What more could one ask for?
Bvlgari boutique
On Avenue Montaigne
Date: 07/02/2008
Bulgari is a brand that is known by all the fans of designer goods and the boutique on Avenue Montaigne is one where you can find it all. Oh, if you don't, the Akris boutique is close by.
Cartier shop
Luxury at its best
Date: 07/02/2008
Like the Cartier boutique in New York, where it is located on Fifth Avenue, the Paris store is on Champs Elysees.
Chez Clement Restaurant
On Champs Elysees
Date: 07/02/2008
You know how the experts warn you not to eat in restaurants in tourist areas. Yes, it is almost always true. But what do you do if you are in the middle of a tourist area and you or your family members get a hunger attack. That is exactly what happened to us. We were having a great time walking on Champs Elysees. We were a little tired already and were getting hungry, and we did not want to look for a place and then have to return to the area. So when we saw a whole bunch of French women eating there, we knew it was the right place, even though it is in the middle of the action. The service was great and we had a great French meal at the price that we would pay in any cafe or brasserie. We did dine on the sidewalk but when I went to use the restroom inside the restaurant, it is a big and very beautiful place. So you can also choose to sit inside and eat.
Citadines Bastille Marais Kitchen Counter
Complete with all appliances
Date: 07/02/2008
We chose an apartel (apartment plus hotel or as they are sometimes called serviced apartments) because we could not imagine eating every single meal in a restaurant. The Citadines Bastille Marais was an excellent choice because it comes with a kitchen. Here you can see that on the counter there is a water heater to boil water for tea or coffee and there is a toaster in the back. Oh and that bag from Fauchon has all the delicious breads and pastries we bought there and ate in our room.
Citadines Bastille Marais stove
You can actually cook a meal
Date: 07/02/2008
The Citadiens Bastille Marais kitchen is complete. As you can see it has a stove and pots and pans. There is also a dishwasher to do your dishes. And you can see the wine we bought, plus the bag of French coffee.
Citadines Bastille Marais hotel desk
Bring your laptop along
Date: 07/02/2008
I have said enough good things about the Citadines Bastille Marais Kitchen. It also comes with a cable that you can connect to your laptop to access the Internet. Great if you want to download the photos or video to post on your blog. If all you want to do is to check your email, there is a free computer in the hotel lobby. The only problem with the guest rooms is that the beds are not comfortable and they are pull-out beds that don't make a great way for a couple to sleep, particularly if you are on a romantic vacation.
Comedie studio in Paris
Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
Date: 07/02/2008
It is the so-called Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and contrary to its name it is located on Avenue Montaigne. For those of us who enjoyed watching the French movie (Fauteuils d'orchestre) with the same name, this is the place where Jean-François (Albert Dupontel) used to perform and Jessica (Cécile de France) would bring his order. The Bar des Théâtres is still very much there and though it looks somewhat out of place in the midst of all the designer boutiques it was nice to see it.
Creperie Beaubourg
Great place to eat crepes and close to Centre Pompidou
Date: 07/02/2008
If you vacation in Paris you better eat crepes and this is the place to go. You can combine it with a trip to the edgy museum Pompidou Center.
The bottom of the Eiffel Tower
You feel tiny
Date: 07/02/2008
Wow, it is big and unlike other tall buildings in New York, for example, the Iron Lady sits all by herself and there is nothing around for miles. You feel so small there. As you can see, it is majestic, and this is just the ground level.
Gardens around the Eiffel Tower
Aerial view
Date: 07/02/2008
The Eiffel Tower is not just a steel structure, it is literally a neighborhood full of gardens like no other in the world. Take a look at this photo taken from the first floor of the Tower. See how well the gardens are laid out.
Buildings around Eiffel Tower
View from the top
Date: 07/02/2008
If you visit the Eiffel Tower you will not only enjoy the extensive gardens but there are also a huge number of buildings that you can see from the top. This is one view from the top and you can see Seine River as well.
Eiffel Tower from a distance
You cannot miss it
Date: 07/02/2008
Since Paris is not a city of skyscrapers, it is nearly impossible to miss the Eiffel Tower. In fact, from most parts of the city, once you are on the terrace of a house or have a window on a higher floor of an apartment or hotel, you are bound to see the Iron Lady. I took this picture on a day with a mix of sun and clouds.
Seine River seen from the Eiffel Tower
Majestic views
Date: 07/02/2008
I work in an office building on the 50th floor and have been in many tall buildings all over the world. I have also been to the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, the Toronto Tower, and the Tokyo Tower. So I was not sure if I wanted to be on top of the Eiffel Tower -- it wasn't the money or as if I am afraid of heights; I just was not sure that I wanted to line up that long. In the end it turned out that the lines were not that short and the views were worth the pain. This is a view of the Seine River.
Eiffel tower and the sky
Is it really that high?
Date: 07/02/2008
I took this picture of the Iron Lady by literally lying on the ground at the bottom of the tower. Indeed it makes it appear as if you the tower touches the clouds. Definitely a different perspective than the Eiffel Tower from the distance.
Emanuel Ungaro boutique
On Avenue Montaigne in Paris
Date: 07/02/2008
What I liked about the Avenue Montaigne area is that all the designer boutiques are concentrated in one place. I think to complete all your shopping you will need a whole day. Remember that there are not many places to eat except restaurants in Hôtel Plaza Athénée and a few cafes.
Father child sculpture in Versailles
Art is everywhere
Date: 07/02/2008
Versailles is not just a great palace, it is also a great place to admire art. Obviously, there is some art that you cannot touch but then a lot of statues and sculptures are scattered outside and you can actually touch them. I liked this a lot because of the pool in the background.
Versailled fountains on a cloudy day
Are they touching the clouds
Date: 01/06/2005
As you already know, Versailles is full of fountains and on selected days and times they are turned on and classical French music is played on the public address system. It is a memorable time. When I was there it was just such a cloudy day and the mist of the fountain made it appear as if the fountain was touching the clouds.
French hot mom
What is the French word for MILF
Date: 07/02/2008
I think I am starting to understand why French women are so sexy. I saw this mother with her baby and if you look carefully notice that if she was not with her child, you would never think that she gave birth to a baby. Pay attention to her trendy outfit that includes a Burberry skirt with boots. The important thing to remember for a mom is that just because you have so much to do, it does not mean that you should start mistreating yourself.
French mannequins displaying summer dresses
Is orange the color for summer?
Date: 07/02/2008
It is not easy to shop in France because everything is so expensive. I love the fact that we always have sales in the United States and everything is heavily discounted. That does not mean that window shopping is a crime. I was glued to this display of spring and summer fashion in the windows of department stores.
French models
Modeling clothes at the Galeries Lafayette fashion show
Date: 07/02/2008
If you have any interest in fashion, make sure to attend the free Galeries Lafayette Fashion Show. Sign up before you leave for Paris and show up when asked to. This is your best hope to attend a fashion show with real models. I created this montage based on my preferences. As you will notice the dresses you will see how Hollywood celebrities get their fashion ideas.
French tomatoes
Taste that lasts
Date: 07/02/2008
One of the things that I have noted over the years is that our fruits and vegetables have little taste and flavor. I have tried to switch to organic fruits and vegetables but not everything is available in organic form. That is why I was "shocked" to find out that vegetables tasted so good, particularly ones that you can buy in the farmers' market. The one that I went was right on Boulevard Richard Lenoir in Bastille Marais neighborhood right outside the Citadines hotel.
French woman admiring art
Open air exhibition in Lexington Gardens
Date: 07/02/2008
Art is everywhere in France and the French people are not opposed to spending taxpayer dollars for promoting art and introducing children to art. I guess that is what makes France so good at art, particularly literature and film. For instance, just a stroll in the Lexington Garden made me realize that you could enjoy art without spending a Euro. Here is this great moment that I captured of an elderly French lady admiring a work of art.
Galerias Lafayette dome
A work of art in a department store
Date: 07/02/2008
Being impressed by arches and domes in the Notre Dame Cathedral is one thing but being able to admire a dome in a department store is an altogether different thing. Yes Galeries Lafayette is no ordinary store. The building is an architectural landmark that also happens to be a great place to shop. Oh, also do not forget to go grab a bite on their top floor cafeteria -- gourmet food and great views of Paris, including those of the Eiffel Tower.
Galeries Lafayette balconies
Enjoy the show while you shop
Date: 07/02/2008
Once you have admire the dome in Galeries Lafayette make sure that you spend a few minutes admiring the spectacular balconies. This Parisian department store is known as much for its architecture as for its choices for shopping.
Galeries Lafayette department store
Must visit Paris department store
Date: 07/02/2008
I have shown photos separately of the Galeries Lafayette dome and the Galeries Lafayette balconies. This is one of the views of the exterior and the main entrance of the store.
Girl at a fountain in Versailles
Date: 07/02/2008
The palace of Versailles may be a historical building but it is such a romantic place too, particularly with all the fountains. When I saw this beautiful girl all by herself I was wondering what is wrong with men -- why was she single?
Gosselin bakery in Paris
Great selection for bread and pastries
Date: 07/02/2008
Do you want me to say yet again that I went on a vacation in Paris to eat French pastries? Apart from Laduree, Dalloyau, and Fauchon, add the name Gosselin to your list.
Isabelle Adjani
In a commercials
Date: 07/02/2008
I think if Isabelle Adjani were to sell me garbage I will buy it. She is just so beautiful -- did I say that she is a French woman. Well she does not push garbage but often stars in commercials for designer products. I saw this poster on Champs-Elysees.
Jean Louis Scherrer couture boutique
In Avenue Montaigne area
Date: 07/02/2008
The great thing about Avenue Montaigne designer shopping boutique is that you can find shops that are not in every part of the world. For instance, Jean Louis Scherrer couture atelier is there and just a few blocks away from all other stores like Chanel, Valentino, and Emanuel Ungaro.
Legion Dhonnevr Musee in Paris
Another museum opposite the Musée d'Orsay
Date: 07/02/2008
Of course, everyone goes to the Dorsay Museum, but what about this tiny, but very impressive, museum just across the street? If you have a half hour to spare, make sure that you pay a visit.
Luxembourg Gardens art
In Paris art is there to watch everywhere
Date: 07/02/2008
As I said before in many other photos of Paris, you do not even have to pay sometimes to admire French art. Walking around the Luxembourg Gardens, you could simply enjoy great sculptures everywhere.
Luxembourg garden angel statue
Must visit in the Jardin du Luxembourg
Date: 07/02/2008
Yet another sculpture in the Luxembourg Gardens of Paris. Make sure that when you visit the park, bring along a packed meal and then simply enjoy the day watching people and admiring art.
Sculptures in Luxembourg Garden in Paris
What a great piece of art!
Date: 07/02/2008
In the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, one of the most popular of the many gardens in this beautiful city, do not just enjoy the people and the greenery; there is art scattered throughout the park.
Palais du Luxembourg
Home of the French Senate
Date: 07/02/2008
Wait, I am insisting that you enjoy the art in the Luxemburg Gardens in Paris but there is no way you can miss the Luxembourg Palace which is now home of the French politicians in Paris -- yes, that is where laws are written.
Luxembourg Jardin statue
Weird but beautiful
Date: 07/02/2008
As you stroll the gardens of Luxembourg in Paris you will notice many sculptures and of course many French artists spend their time painting.
Louis Vuitton store on Champs Elysees
In the fashion capital of the world
Date: 07/02/2008
While this is a closeup of the windows with the display of all Louis Vuitton products, this photo is of the actual building on Champs Elysees where the boutique is located. It is probably one of the largest stores that I have been to and while it is full of tourists, people are also shopping as if there is no tomorrow. Obviously, the choice is huge and this is one of the few stores that carries not just their trademark bags but also apparel for men and women, shoes, leather products of all kinds, and scarves.
Louis Vuitton Paris store
What's in the window?
Date: 07/02/2008
If for any reason you cannot or do not want to go inside (do not go if you are not properly dressed -- I know it is a big trade-off to be comfortable and stylish as a tourist, particularly in Paris where you have to walk so much) the Louis Vuitton store on Champs Elysees in Paris, you an always take a look at the display window.
Louise Bourgeois exhibition at the Pompidou Center
Visit the quirky museum anyway
Date: 07/02/2008
I know many people have not heard of the great artist Louise Bourgeois but that is not why I visited the Centre Pompidou in Paris. For many people it looks like a refinery, others compare it a chemical factory, but in reality it is just an edgy design for a building.
Artist resoring paitings in Louvre
Painstaking but rewarding work
Date: 07/02/2008
When we go to a museum, we do not realize how much effort it takes to keep all the art in mint condition. How many times have I seen people bitching about the high entrance fees to museums and art galleries! And almost no one likes to make donations to museums. Were it not for all those wealthy people we wouldn't be able to enjoy all this art. Here is an artist in the Louvre Museum working to restore a painting.
Louvre building
What a majestic palace!
Date: 07/02/2008
Many people do not realize that Louvre was originally a palace and that is why it has the same opulence that you see in the Versailles. Maybe we get too absorbed in associating it with Mona Lisa or Venus de Milo or The Da Vinci Code movie or the glass pyramid that we forget its beautiful buildings. So when you are in the grand courtyard look around you and take some time to admire the architecture.
Louvre glass pyramid
It is nice to see the sky
Date: 07/02/2008
I fail to understand why the controversy. Indeed the glass pyramid looks somewhat out of place in what is a very old building but this unique combination of old and new gives us something to think about.
Man bleeding at the Louvre
He is not real, silly
Date: 07/02/2008
See this peeping Tom with blood pouring out of his body. He looked real but at close inspection I found out that he was just a work of art. Scary; isn't it.
Mannequin at designer boutique
What a pretty dress!
Date: 07/02/2008
A great way to admire the fashion in France is to attend a fashion show like the one at Galeries Lafayette. Of course, you will also see a lot of great fashion in in restaurants and on the streets, particularly Champs-Elysees or Avenue Montaigne. What I also found that admiring the mannequins in designer boutiques is also a great way to see what are rich people buying.
Metal sculpture in Luxembourg gardens
Abstract art
Date: 07/02/2008
One of the great things about France that it supports artists. That allows artists to showcase their work not just in art galleries and museums but also in other public places. If you get to visit the Luxembourg Gardens, make sure that you seek the art exhibits and spend a few minutes. This aluminum structure was part of an exhibition at the park.
Mother child sculpture at Versailles Palace
Centuries old work
Date: 07/02/2008
Versailles is a must-go destination for anyone on a vacation in Paris. Yes, it is a little cheesy and by visiting you are somehow approving of the lifestyle of the rich, the famous, and the royalty, but I went to see it for its historical value and art that can't be seen elsewhere. I mean Look at this beautiful sculpture -- it does not matter who commissioned or how the royals may have restricted the bourgeoise from admiring it but it is a work of art regardless and deserves to be appreciated.
Moulin Rouge Paris
A unique Parisian landmark
Date: 07/02/2008
If you did not know, the French word Moulin Rouge means "red windmill." And it is very obvious from this snap. If you didn't know it you would be wondering why this windmillis sitting in the heart of Paris. It is a very lively area at night and definitely worth a visit just for the fun of people watching. Even though this neighborhood is full of those adult places it appeared to be safe. A lot of people were having a great time and I recall a group of middle aged German female tourists lifting their dresses to pose like cabaret singer with the building in the background.
Muse dorsay main building
The famous clock
Date: 07/02/2008
This photo of Dorsay Museuem is from the side facing the Quai Anatole France that runs parallel to the River La Seine and you can also see the Jardin de Tuileries (or Tuileries Gardens). See that massive clock on the top. If you decide to eat a meal in the museum cafeteria Café des Hauteurs upstairs you will actually sit behind this clock. Talking about food, while the cafe is more affordable, if you real want to eat like the rock stars, check out the Musée d'Orsay Restaurant -- somewhat expensive but a similar meal in a similar restaurant will run you three times over.
Musee Dorsay courtyard statue
Great work of art in the open
Date: 07/02/2008
When you visit the d'Orsay Museum, unless you have planned ahead, depending on the time of the day and year, plan on waiting for a while in a line. Due to fears of terrorism, everyone has to go through a security check. It is a great opportunity to speak to fellow visitors (I ran into a British family that also had family in France) but if they don't speak your language, try admiring some art.
Musee d'Orsay relief art
White marble
Date: 07/02/2008
In the d'Orsay Museum, you will see a lot of works of art that have been removed from old buildings and now preserved. This white marble collection shows the art popular during the Renaissance era.
Musee Dorsay sculpture
Majestic statue of a woman sitting
Date: 07/02/2008
Like this statue in the d'Orsay compound, and yet another statue of a woman sitting, this piece of art can be admired right when you are waiting to get in.
Statue at the entrance of d'Orsay Museum in Paris
Sitting in style
Date: 07/02/2008
Remember this statue and yet another one, this dark color stone statue is worth taking a look at from close. I also like the way people living in those apartments in Paris behind get to admire art daily.
Marble statue of a girl in Museum Dorsay in Paris
Sad but beautiful
Date: 07/02/2008
It is amazing how an artist can showcase so many human emotions by just shaping a piece of stone.
Body language says more about you than you think. You can see this feature in the statue of yet another young girl.
Dorsay Museum girl statue in metal
What is she thinking?
Date: 07/02/2008
Like the statue of this woman in white marble, this girl too demonstrates that body language says a lot more about you than you think.
Paris apartment building
Date: 07/02/2008
My wife wanted to spend a month in Paris. She thought that we could rent a furnished apartment, cook our own meals, work for several hours immediately after getting up (and still be able to speak on the Vonage phone with our colleagues in the US who would be getting to work), and enjoy Paris the way Parisians do -- we did that in Montreal and it worked out great. In the end due to lack of time we spent less time and stayed in Citadines Bastille Marais, an apartel, but this is the view of a very typical apartment building on Boulevard Richard Lenoir. Maybe next time.
Cafe in Paris
Great food and people watching
Date: 07/02/2008
While French may have the best food in the world, they have also turned the task of eating a meal in an art. Each meal must be cooked as if it were your last meal and then eaten at leisure while having a great conversation with people you like or if you are alone by engaging in their other passion: people watching.
Convenience store in Paris
A place to find what you need
Date: 07/02/2008
Like any other large cityyou will see stores like Monoprix or Franprix stores, but there are times where you do not want to go to a store as large as these; you are better off entering a Tabac, a word that literally means tobacco but can also refer to a convenience store that sells cigarettes and all other things that we are used to seeing in a Seven Eleven, for example.
Evening fashion in Paris
Too much black?
Date: 07/02/2008
Alright, I did take tons of pictures during my trip to Paris, when it comes to people, it is hard to take great photos of fashionable people. I took this photo of two ladies shopping on Avenue Montaigne but on other occasions I had to rely on capturing the latest fashion by photographic mannequins.
Women doing luxury shopping in Paris
Avenue Montaigne neighborhood
Date: 07/02/2008
Alright, there were lots of tourists like me on Avenue Motaigne, but we thought that we wanted to see what it was like to shop at boutiques where millionaires shop. So something that you buy at Macy's -- Chanel No. 5 perfume -- we decided that we might as well buy it at the Chanel boutique on Avenue Montaigne.
This is our experience. The store did not look as awesome as we expected. The carpet was not spotless and the customer service was not the best. We also paid a lot more than we would have at Macy's or at a duty free store in Charles de Gaulle airport.
Paris opera house
A beautiful building
Date: 07/02/2008
Earlier I talked about how Bastille Opera House is the place to enjoy opera, musicals, and other art performances in Paris, but that does not mean the world-famous Paris Opera House is no more. It is still standing there in all its glory and there are occasional performances. Plus, you can also visit it during the times when there are no performances going on. For those of you who enjoyed the movie or the musical "Phantom of the Opera," it is a must visit place because the mystical place where the phantom lived is supposedly beneath the opera house.
Portrait artists in Paris
They take their work seriously
Date: 07/02/2008
The French like to think that they are artists and they are mostly right. Unfortunately the world of art is brutally competitive and not everyone can make it. Sadly enough, many of them are forced to make a living on the streets. These are a group of portrait artists and their tourist clients hoping to get their faces painted in Paris.
Paris street artists
A tourist gets his face painted
Date: 07/02/2008
As I showed in a separate photo of street artists making portraits of tourists in Paris, this is another picture of a male tourist sitting patiently in front of Pompidou Center for his face to be captured on a canvas.
French people relaxing Luxembourg Gardens
Great place to spend outdoors
Date: 07/02/2008
As I have said previously if you want to take a walk of one of the world's most famous parks in the middle of a city, the Luxembourg Garden in Paris is a must-visit destination. Here you can see a group of people just enjoying a nice spring day.
Plaza Athenee Hotel in Paris
Located on Avenue Montaigne
Date: 07/02/2008
The Avenue Montaigne has many famous designer boutiques, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and of course this hotel, all shown in the film Avenue Montaigne (Fauteuils d'orchestre).
Pompidou Center in Paris, France
No it is not a chemical plant
Date: 07/02/2008
The Centre de Pompidou is not just an art gallery, it is also an architectural marvel. Sitting in the middle of very old Parisian buildings, this building that is made to look like an industrial building.
Elephant statue outside Pompidou Center
Playing in the water pond
Date: 07/02/2008
This is a sculpture of a colorful elephant in the nearby Stravinsky Fountain (Fontaine des automates) -- you can see the Centre Pompidou in the background -- features works by Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint-Phalle.
Woman's lips in fountain outside Pompidou Center
Art in the Stravinsky Fountain
Date: 07/02/2008
In the Fontaine des automates outside the Centre de Pompidou in Paris and just in front of many Creperie Beauborg. Each sculpture points at one of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky's plays. Niki de Saint-Phalle and Jean Tinguely, both artists, built this masterpiece in 1982. I mean those lips are plump and red.
Mermaid sculpture in fountain outside Pompidou Center in Paris
Wacky art in the Stravinsky Fountain
Date: 07/02/2008
What fountain can be complete without a mermaid? Apart from the red lips sculpture this one was also my favorite.
Stravinsky Fountain sculptures
Outside the Pompidou Center
Date: 07/02/2008
This view of the Stravinsky Fountain shows as many sculptures as I could possibly accommodate in the frame. I think the only way I could have gotten them all is by trying aerial photography but I guess till I am able to buy a private jet, that will need to wait.
Printemps department store in Paris
Date: 07/02/2008
I first went to a Printemps department store in Japan and when I moved to the United States, I completely forgot about it. When I realized that Paris had one of them, I had to go despite my plans to visit the designer boutiques on Avenue Montaigne, Louis Vuitton store, and Galeries Lafayette. Definitely recommended for shopping.
Royal bed in Versailles
Bed where Marie Antoinette slept
Date: 07/02/2008
When you visit the Versailles Palace, you are literally shocked by its grandeur and size, but you will be amazed by the size of the bedroom and the bed itself. It is decorated in very fine embroidered silk and those of you who watched the movie Marie Antoinette will recall that the royal couple had no real privacy when making love in this bed.
Chest in Versailles Palace
Majestic piece of furniture
Date: 07/02/2008
Well, while the bedroom in the Versailles Palace, there is nothing else lacking in grandeur. Take a look at this chest that the royal couple used it in their private quarters.
Saint Chapelle church door
Simple but a work of art
Date: 07/02/2008
It may be a little bit of an anti-climax to enter the complex of the St Chapelle Church and find out how small it is and how expensive it is to enter, we were impressed that the long wait, the security lines, and the fees were all worth it. Look at this gate and the art that it has on the latch.
Saint Chapelle gate
Gothic architecture at its best
Date: 07/02/2008
As I said earlier, we almost missed the St Chappelle Church the first day (it is next to the French Supreme Court) and since it is in the midst of French government buildings it was impossible to make out that there was a place of worship inside. Since Rick Stevens had recommended it so highly, we tried it again the next day and when we saw a large number of tourists lining up, we knew we were in the right place. The gate below shows the excellent artwork on the gates.
Saint Chapelletower
Gothic spires
Date: 07/02/2008
Apart from the gate at St Chapelle, the doors, the staircase, and the tiles, make sure that you take a look at this tower jutting into the clouds.
Sculpture in the midst of fountains in Versailles
Foutains and sculptures
Date: 07/02/2008
To visit these sculptures, you will need to go to the side from Petit Parc. There is an entrance after Allee du Printemps and before the Bassin d'Apollon. The architecture seems to be inspired by Greece and Italy.
Tourist boats on Seine River in Paris
View from the top of the Eiffel Tower
Date: 07/02/2008
Paris is one of the best subway systems in the world (it is clean, safe, well connected, punctual, and not packed too tight most of the time) but if you want to really see the city without walking all day, the bus trips and a boat cruises are two great ways to do it.
Bridge on River Seine
Not just for crossing the river but also a great way to admire the river
Date: 07/02/2008
The Seine River is a delightful place whether you are taking a boat cruise or just relaxing on its banks on a date or relaxing after a day's work.
Island in Seine River
Yes, it is only a river but still has tiny islands
Date: 07/02/2008
Indeed, this river has many such islands and this one is visible from the top of the Eiffel Tower. The road that goes through the small piece of land is called Allee de Cygnes. The island runs roughly between Pont de Bir Hakeim and Pont de Grenelle.
Pont d'lena and Palais de Chailot
View from the top of the Eiffel Tower
Date: 07/02/2008
This is a view of the Pont d'lena that connects the Eiffel Tower and the Palais de Chailot garden on the other side of River Seine.
View of the Seine River and surrounding neighborhoods
From the top of the Eiffel Tower
Date: 07/02/2008
You can clearly see the River Seine and all the crowded neighborhoods around the tower in this photo. I took this picture when I was soaking in the great views from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
St Chapelle floor tile
Art even on the floor
Date: 07/02/2008
Some of the things to pay attention to when you are visiting the St Chapelle cathedral are the staircase, the gates, the stained glass windows, the and the door, but don't just walk around without looking down. Even the floor tells a story.
St Chapelle gate
Admire the Gothic architecture
Date: 07/02/2008
Some of the things to pay attention to when you are visiting the St Chapelle cathedral are the staircase, the stained glass windows, the and the door.
St Chapelle stained glass window
These are the windows that create magic inside
Date: 07/02/2008
Those of you who followed my recommendation to visit the Trinity Church in Copley Square in Boston will recall the magic of stained glass. You see the same in St Chappelle Church. These are the windows seen from the outside.
St Chapelle staircase
Spiral staircase made of stone
Date: 07/02/2008
Apart from the gate to the church, floor tiles, the doors, tourists to Saint Chapelle may want to take a moment to admire this spiral stairway.
Supreme Court of France
Admire those majestic columns
Date: 07/02/2008
Liberté, égalité, fraternité is the French for "Liberty, equality, fraternity" and is the motto of the country. You will see the inscription on the main building. This majestic building is in the same complex as the St Chapelle church.
Tourists in Paris
There are so many of them everywhere
Date: 07/02/2008
Like New York or London, Paris is full of tourists from all over the world. There are so many couples on honeymoon (like the couple in this photo studying the map) or on a romantic getaway. I guess it is as much fun to watch them as it is to watch French women who by the way do not get fat. Really; I am serious.
Tourists outside St Chapelle cathedral
Be prepared to wait in a long line
Date: 07/02/2008
Like Versailles or the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre Museum, plan on spending time in a line waiting to get in. Due to stricter security procedures, expect to pass through a metal detector and your bags will be checked too. So bring plenty of material to read or an iPod to listen to music. It also helps to have your own drinking water and a snack. The other tip I can give is to use the restroom before you line up and to figure out the nearest rest-room in case the wait is too long. Paris is very good with public toilets on streets, though, lines can be long sometimes and they may not be clean. So it is best to use those inside restaurants and other public buildings.
Traces du Sacre
Exhibition at Pompidou Center in Paris
Date: 07/02/2008
Traces du Sacre was an exhibition organized at the Pompidou Center in Paris and brought together some 350 major works by about 200 famous artists.
Trendy French girls
Walking the Champs Elysees
Date: 07/02/2008
There is no doubt that French women are sexy and love art. And from what I saw French girls are very stylish. They often dress in the latest fashion and that is obvious from these two ladies.
Valentino dress on display
On Avenue Montaigne boutique
Date: 07/02/2008
Like many other major labels, Valentino has a huge boutique on Avenue Motaigne. This is one of the finest dresses that I have seen.
Versailles ceiling
No you are not in Vatican
Date: 07/02/2008
If you are one of those people who don't get easily convinced then this view of the ceiling inside the Versailles Palace should be enough to show you the grandeur of this place. It shows how the French royals wanted to impress the world.
Versailles columns
Surrounding the fountain
Date: 07/02/2008
Those of you who were lucky to explore the fountains off the Petit Parc just after the Allee du Printemps. If you are there at the time of the Grandes Eaux Musicales de Versailles then you will love the show.
Fountain in the courtyard in Versailles
The water and the music
Date: 07/02/2008
A lot of people just walk along the Petit Parc but I was adventurous and decided to explore what was hidden. That is when I ended up in this tiny alley right after the Alee du Printemps and was treated to spectacular show of music, water and sculptures.
Versailles fountain
You will have too many choices for fountains
Date: 07/02/2008
I cannot understand how a trip to Versailles can be complete if you do not get to admire the fountains. Even more fun if you go during warm weather. I did go during May and packed a fleece vest but my wife wanted to dress up for her trip to the palace of fashion icon Marie Antoinette. The net result: I was freezing while she wore my vest. Here is another awesome fountain on the grounds.
Fountains in the Versailles Palace
One of the biggest fountains that I have seen
Date: 07/02/2008
If for any reason, you cannot see the actual Versailles Palace (the lines to get in can be so long sometimes that if you have just a few hours you might not be able to make it), try to at least see the gardens, particularly if you go in spring or summer. While not always, the lines for just the gardens can be somewhat short.
Panoromic view of the Versailles Gardens
Petit Parc seen from a higher ground
Date: 07/02/2008
The main building of the Versailles Palace is at a higher elevation than the gardens and this is a photo that I took from that height. It captures the Petit Parc and the fountain, especially the one on Parterre d'Eau.
Golden Gate to enter the Versailles Palace
Notice the intricate artwork
Date: 07/02/2008
The Versailles Palace was meant to showcase all that was great about France at the time. That is why Louis wanted a palace that not only allowed him and Marie Antoinette to live in luxury but also enable them to show visiting dignitaries what French people were capable of doing all the way from construction to arts to painting to glasswork to sculpture.
Versailles grand fountain
Not just water jutting out but actually a sculpture
Date: 07/02/2008
In the Grand Parc area you will see some massive fountains especially after the Bassin d'Apollon. Make sure that you get some time to relax there and take some photos.
Versailles Palace main entrance
The grand buildings
Date: 07/02/2008
This palace is so massive that it is hard to figure out how many entrances and exits it has -- it actually has too many and this is the view from the side facing the gardens.
Versailles palace side view
On a quiet day you can see the reflection in the pool
Date: 07/02/2008
Unfortunately the day I was there it was a bit cloudy and rather windy and the water in the reflecting pool was going nuts eliminating any chance for me to photograph the palace as a reflection.
Versailles courtyard panorama
Perfect spot for tourists to take pictures
Date: 07/02/2008
Similar to this panoramic view of the Versailles Palace, this view is yet another angle and as you can see there are many romantic couples posing for their memorable trips to Paris and Versailles.
Versailles Palace side view
Can you now see how big this building is?
Date: 07/02/2008
There is no doubt that Versailles Palace is huge, bigger than the White House or Buckingham Palace, but this picture demonstrates how massive this building really is.
A marble statue in the gardens of Versailles
Art is everywhere
Date: 07/02/2008
Versailles is a destination that you will never forget. The things that you will remember are the massive palace, the incredible gardens, and art everywhere. See this beautiful statue hidden in one of the gardens. What I don't want to remember are dirty toilets in Versailles.
Dirty toilets in Versailles
How could they be so negligent when the entrance fee is so high?
Date: 07/02/2008
Versailles draws millions of tourists each year to France. The fee to enter is very high and there is a long wait to enter the palace or the gardens, but the authorities have to do a better job of helping the tourists. For instance, when you are waiting to get inside, the lines are so long but using the toilet is a problem. There are no visible signs to the rest room and there are huge lines outside the restroom. When we ended up at a restaurant inside to eat, apart from the chaotic atmosphere in the restaurant (poor service, overwhelmed staff, dirty tables, wrong orders, etc.) the toilet was so dirty that no decent human being could use it.
Tourists waiting outside Versailles
Lines are long
Date: 07/02/2008
Almost all books, particularly by Rick Stevens, recommend that you arrive as early as possible to the Verasilles Palace. You can also buy your ticket at a train station or at many other places before coming (use the information in your guide book or talk to your concierge). That way you won't waste time in buying a ticket and join the security line right away. Bring something to read or listen to if you are alone, plenty of water and even a snack to eat. Use the rest room before you line up and figure out where the toilet is before you line up. It will be a long wait.
Panorama of the Versailles Palace in France
The mian building, fountains, and the gardens
Date: 07/02/2008
While you may be tempted to make it short and sweet while visiting the Versailles Palace, my recommendation is that if you have the time, give yourself one full day. Get out after an early morning breakfast, enjoy the lunch inside (even better bring your own sandwich, cheese and wine for a picnic), walk around the palace and the gardens, and then leave in the late afternoon. As this picture shows, it is a big place.
Sculpture on the wall of Saint Chapelle
Gothic art
Date: 07/02/2008
I was reluctant to visit the Saint Chapelle church due to the long line but in the end I am glad I did. Take a look at this marvelous piece of work on the walls outside.
