Finding Old Photos: France Edition

Well, I've been here before. A slow month. I could write about a lot of health things or political topics but I don't want to and you probably don't want to read them. So, it's back to revisiting the travel photo archive!

La Tour Eiffel!

There probably isn't much I can say about the Eiffel Tower that hasn't been said before. Built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, the tower was scheduled to be only for the event.

Gustave Eiffel designed the tower and it met with a good deal of bad press. "There's no way to avoid seeing it," author Guy de Maupassant said.

At the time, it was the world's tallest building, and remained so until the Empire State Building was constructed.

So, why does it still stand? It all has to do with the radio towers on the top of the building! All of a sudden it was practical!

I've never been up inside the tower -- partly because of height issues and partly because of timing (and, in 2009, lines). But there are lifts that can take you up three levels, the top being 905 feet! There are other stops as well, including the Jules Verne Restaurant on the second level.

My guide book tells me that the complex patter of pig-iron girders comes from a need to stabilize the tower in strong winds.

It wouldn't matter to me -- I find it beautiful!

The first time we saw it was on the road, leaving for Brittany. Then, on our car-ride through Paris, Jerry dropped us off at Trocadero, which has an amazing view, so we could get some photos.

When we returned several days later, it was raining, as usual. We were on the way to dinner at Tribeca in Rue Cler. We wandered through the Champ de Mars, which is on the south side of the tower, and because not many others were out in the rain, were able to get some good close-ups and put down the umbrella for a photo op!

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When we returned at sunset, we were clearly in for a treat.

The later it got, the more beautiful it became!

And then the lights came on! I'm told that generally on the hour, they twinkle for 10 minutes. It didn't do that while we were there, but that was fine with me!

 

And, as we left, we couldn't resist one last photo!

Tower Tips

1) There is an admission charge to go up in the tower. They say some of the best views of Paris are here. If you're not for heights or admission, enjoy a picnic on the Champ de Mars and walk around the base of the tower, which is fascinating in itself.

2) Try to get there in the evening so you can enjoy the fabulous sunsets and lighting that we did.

3) Jerry was right -- the best "photo op" view is from Trocadero, because you can get the entire tower in the photo background.

4) While you're in the neighborhood, head east a few blocks to the enchanting Rue Cler, a two-block area that includes lots of street vendors and some excellent restaurants. If the weather is nice, you can easily find your picnic treats there!

This post is part of Bookbath and Thyme for Tea's "Paris in July" party! It's also part of my "vacation post" drawing, which will conclude whenever I get through it all! Please link HERE to a marvelous of over 25 "Paris in July" participants!

A Walk Down the Avenue

Back to Paris! After recuperating from our road trip, Jerry took us on an auto tour of the city.Of course, he dropped us off at Trocadero for a photo op! (Note -- we STARTED this day with sun, sort of!)

What a great place for a wedding -- if you liked lots of people watching you!

Then it was around to various sites including Rue Victor Hugo and Victor Hugo Place, continuing our theme! You can see Arc de Triomphe in the background!

Eventually he dropped us off at the end of the Champs Elysee and we enjoyed a "walk down the avenue." The sky was almost an unbearable, beautiful blue!

The stores are lovely. It was a Sunday and most were closed (probably a good thing, given the sticker shock!)

But we did enjoy looking at the new Toyota Prius...

... and this tiny thing!

Then we continued on to Arc de Triomphe. It's pretty impressive with an amazing history. The first ston ewas laid by Napoleon in 1805 after the 1805 Battle of Austerlitz, but because of the demise of Napoleon's power, it wasn't completed until 1836.

It stand 164 feet -- and is incredibly imposing. The site of key events, Victor Hugo's body lied in state under the Arc in 1885. In 1919, Allie armies paraded through the arc after WWI.

The Arc de Triomphe is located in Place Charles de Gaulle, named for the World War II general, who, during the Liberation of Paris in WWII led the crowd from the Arc. 

A dozen avenues converge at the arc in the center. One of these is Avenue Victor Hugo. If you remember from earlier posts, he is one of Rick's heroes. So of course, we took lots of photos!

All that walking makes a girl tired, so we settled in at a cafe in Place Victor Hugo for a fabulous chocolat chaud for me and espresso for Rick.

I had heard the hot chocolate in France was unlike anywhere else. I can't speak for the world, but let me say, it is no Swiss Miss. It's nearly as thick as chocolate sauce and twice as decadent!

Then it was back to watch the crazy traffic parade at the Arc. I'm amazed there aren't numerous crashes there daily. This cyclist seemed to know what he was doing, but I wouldn't have done it.

After more looking, and with a driving rain that popped up, of course, we decided to get dry and check out the McDonald's to see how it was different. The McCafe was to die for. I only got this one photo before they told me 'no photos.'

However, upstairs, we did get a bit of a view of the street. It was raining at this time (of course; blue sky one minute, rain the next!) so there aren't so many people out!

We made a quick stop at the Swarovski crystal store and did a good deal of window shopping. 

Then we moved on to the famous Haussmann Blvd. and over to the Opera House. I'll talk about that in more detail later. From there, we moved south, toward Place Vendome, notable for its towering monument.

My friend Judy wanted a photo of Coco Chanel's original atelier.

I was pleased we found it!

The Ritz is located there as well, and one couldn't help but recall Diana's flight from the hotel, leading to her death. 

From the front it's not terribly imposing.

We ended up taking the Metro to an area called St. Paul in the Marais and dined at a charming restaurant -- and I've gotta say, it felt darned good to sit down!

 They showed Laurel & Hardy silents on the wall and much of the decor was old movie posters -- I felt right at home! My boeuf burgongoine wasn't quite as good as Julia's but tasty and Rick's pork chop was to die for!

A long walk home and we were ready to crash, once again!

Travel Lessons

I've said this before: Basic operating equipment -- good shoes and an umbrella.

A good map helps, too. I'm hoping to get my favorite Paris guide and map books on Chopsticks and String within the next few days. I'll let you know when it's posted!