Next Destination - Paris France! Bonjour!!!


 



The 'golden" Metro ticket

Ahhh -- a four day weekend in Paris.  As we left the airport, we quickly learned two things – keep a close eye on our guide S, and that the metro is one of the most quick and efficient ways to get around to see Paris – and that the two are very closely related.  As to not draw attention to the fact that we were a group of Americans, S would only signal us that the next stop was ours with a quick nod of his head.  A lesson in staying alert! 





Paris Metro







Our tour guides for our time in Paris have been S and P.  They live and work in Normandy in a retreat center that hosts many groups throughout the year, there and in Paris.  (More about the center later …)  S is an American who has lived in France for 15+ years serving as Director of the Normandy Center and P is Austrian, lives near the center and serves as Associate Director of the Center for the past several years.  They are very knowledgeable and speak French fluently, beautifully and perfectly.  We have been SO blessed to have them as guides for our group!  





Night walk to the tower

I won’t go through each hour of each day, but we have seen so much in a very short amount of time.  Our first evening was concluded with a walk to the Eiffel Tower to see it lit up – an absolutely beautiful and incredible sight to see!!!  It was almost magical to stand and look at it.  Am I really here?  Am I looking at the “big screen” somewhere?  (NOTE:  Pictures simply cannot do justice to the amazing places, churches and monuments we are seeing!)

Notre Dame, a definite stop!  This building epitomizes the history of Paris.  It was built on the site of a Roman temple in 1159.  Below are the crypts that expose the excavation of the Roman ruins and temple.  It is a model of  French Gothic architecture. The Sainte Chapelle -- The Sainte Chapelle (chapel/church) is called “a gateway to heaven.”  There are 15 magnificent stained glass windows separated by pencil-like columns, 50’ high.  They portray more than 1,000 scenes, telling the Bible story from beginning to end.  To stand and look at these windows was nothing short of awe inspiring. 

Notre Dame



Notre Dame





 

Notre Dame Interior







Sainte Chappelle



Sainte Chappelle



Story of the Bible in stained glass





Along the MANY steps of our tour, we stopped at an old little restaurant that served crepes – meal crepes and of course dessert crepes.  I have to tell you that one my most favorite things to eat in Paris is a fresh crepe served with sprinkled sugar and a squeeze of fresh lemon.  There are not only creperies but also small stands along the sidewalks serving them up HOT and fresh.  Mmmmm!!!  Of course, what would a meal be without a café? (a coffee.)



Spinach, cheese and egg crepe









 

Sugar and lemon crepe







A stop at the Historie de Paris (Museum of History in Paris), gave us many remarkable facts and here, a look at Adam.  We all have wondered over the years what he looked like, right? 



 As we were walking toward a bridge to cross the River Seine and visit the Louvre, I noticed a woman selling locks as we approached.  Interesting, I thought!?!  Why is she selling locks?  Then I saw it… from both sides of the bridge’s guardrails were 1,000’s of locks -- all locked onto the guardrails.  S proceeded to explain that on this bridge lovers would come, attach a lock and together throw the key into the river below declaring their everlasting love to each other.  Very interesting, had not seen anything like that before…  The rest of the story on the bridge …S had just explained the locks, I knelt down to take a picture, stood up and I along with the entire group (about 10 of us) did not see our guides S & P!?!  They simply had vanished.  Okay, we wondered if this was a “test” for us to see how well we follow our leaders?  Or if they were watching us to see what we would collectively do?  Since I was with a smart group of MBA students, we decided to stay together and wait – good to do when lost.  It turns out that S & P and a faculty member were walking and talking and were oblivious to the fact that the entire rest of the group was missing!?!  We all had a great laugh as they turned around and saw that no one was behind them.  J 





Locks covering the guardrails



Lost!



We only had a short time at the Musee du Louvre (One of the most impressive art collections in the world housed in a fortress/palace built in the 1190.), so we journeyed to see the “queen” -- well, the Mona Lisa herself.  She was still there waiting for us along with all the other 100’s of museum goers.  We were able to take in a few more art pieces as we walked through.  Truly you need to take at least a day to walk and graze the many masterpieces.  We enjoyed our quick visit.  Our adventure ended that evening as J, M and I made our way back to the hotel (safe and sound), managing the metro system on our own! 

View from inside the pyramid (modern) to the palace outside (old)



Mona Lisa



A visit to Paris would not be complete with a trip out to the Chateau de Versailles.  The present palace began in 1668 grew around what originally was a hunting lodge of Louis XIII.   The lavish interior is breathtaking and a feast for the eyes.  The gardens are beautiful with the geometric layouts, fountains and miles of green landscape.  The Hall of Mirrors is a favorite of mine with all its glittering beauty.  The great room held grand occasions along with the ratifying of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 ending WWI.  Wish I could convey the incredible over-the-top opulence of this place.  Only a few pictures will have to do...













Hall of Mirrors

What would Paris be without a walk down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees (the “triumphal way”) lined with beautiful designer stores, trees, and cafes?  We enjoyed le café (a coffee) as we watched people pass by.  Our destination was the Arc de Triomphe which was begun to be built as the first stone was laid in 1806 after Napoleon promised his men “go home beneath the triumphal arches.”  It completed in 1836 and in 1920 the body of the ‘Unknown Soldier’ was placed under the arch to commemorate the dead of WWI.  M & I conquered the several hundred steps to get to the top and look over the city of Paris.  What a sight to see!  Twelve avenues forming a star all converge at the base of the Arc.  The day was hazy, but you can see abit of our view.

Arc de Triomphe



View from atop the Arc de Triumphe

What a privilege to be here!