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| Some hitchhiked to Amsterdam |
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| Our group on the bus |
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Friday after classes we had close to 2 hours to shower, pack, and head to the train station. Yikes. Most of the group decided they were walking over to the station, but since we were already running a little later we biked over...and then we all had to rush and buy our tickets and literally run to catch the train...a little exhilarating. We took the train to Amsterdam's central station and then a tram to the bus station a little ways away, met up with the rest of our group that came to the city earlier (some hitchhiked to get there cheaper). From there our awesome cheap bus took us to "Paris via Brussels" which took about 7 hours 15 minutes give or take.
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| Train ticket |
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| Tram tickets |
The bus ride there was just fine, hard to sleep but still a nice easy ride. We got into Paris just after 6am, and decided to start sightseeing right away. So we headed for the subway/metro and got on the one that would take us to the Eiffel Tower.
<- Maps of
Paris ->
Eiffel Tower
The Tour Eiffel, aka The Iron Lady, was built in 1889 and is almost 1,000 feet tall. It was once the world's largest man-made structure, and is now considered the symbol of Paris. Originally it was built as the entrance way to the 1889 World Exposition and was supposed to be tore down soon after, it still stands proud today after many years of controversy. All such protests came from contemporary artists who feared the construction would be the advent of structures without 'individuality' and despite the many people who feared that this huge 'object' would not fit into the architecture of Paris....man were they wrong.
Now because we were a little adventurous, we decided we wanted to "climb" or walk up to the first two platforms/floor of the tower. Depending how technical you get its either 668 or 710 steps.
Steps Breakdown * accessible to public*
If you consider 710 the total. If you consider 668 the total.
9 steps to the ticket booth at the base 328 steps to the first level
328 steps to the first level 340 steps to the second level
340 steps to the second level
18 steps to the lift platform on the second level
15 steps to the upper observation platform.
The Cathedrale Notre-Dame, aka Cathedral of Our Lady, was built between 1163 and 1345 sits in the Île de la Cité - the oldest part of Paris. It is the "ancient heart of the city" and Notre Dame is a lasting memory of such times. It is widely considered one of the best examples of French Gothic Architecture, as well as one of the most well-known churches ever built.
The Sainte (Ste.) Chapelle, was built between 1243 and 1248. Built in "Rayonnant Gothic Style," all that remains is the chapel of the royal palace of Louis IX and is now surrounded by the Palais de Justice. The building consists of a lower and an upper chapel. The lower chapel was used as a parish church for the palace staff, while the upper chapel was intended as a private chapel for the king and his retinue. Now the story for why this Chapel was it was commissioned by King Louis
IX of France to house his collection of Passion Relics, including the Crown
of Thorns - one of the most important relics in medieval Christendom. Although damaged during the
French revolution and heavily restored in the 19th century, it retains one of
the most extensive in-situ collections of 13th century stained
glass anywhere in the world.
Crepes! ~ yummm
The Square Court
The La Cour Carrée (and I could be wrong on this name..) is the square in the middle of the Louvre Palace. We were in awe when we walked through the archway of one of the main louvre buildings into the large square and saw the big glass pyramid at the center. These buildings surrounding the square were part of the old fortress built in the late 12th century by Philip II. http://www.360cities.net/nl/image/france-paris-louvre#736.88,-23.05,50.0 **see link for a 360 night tour of square**
Something so simple is hard to describe. I didn't know what to expect when we first saw it, but I can definitely saw I thought it was going to be smaller....and was glad I was mistaken. The pyramid and the underground lobby beneath it were created because of a series of problems with the Louvre's original main entrance, which could no longer handle the enormous number of visitors on an everyday basis. Visitors entering through the pyramid descend into the spacious lobby then re-ascend into the main Louvre buildings. Sitting in the square beside the pyramid with the Eiffel Tower just visible in the background was the perfect setting for a quick packed lunch. I highly recommend this area if you are ever in Paris and want to just sit and relax for a while. (Another great spot is in the Champ de Mars, or large grassy square, in front of Eiffel Tower).
Just past the pyramid is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate him and the military's victories of the past year (1805). After the Arc du Carrousel is the Jardin des Tuileries, or Tuileries Gardens, which were the gardens of the former Royal Palace. Nowadays all that's left is the gardens, and because of their placement between the Louvre and the Obelisk it is one of the most visited parks in Paris. It also provides a great view from the big fountain to the Arc all the way down Champs Elysees. Right after the Gardens is The Place de la Concorde, a major public square. The center of the Place is
occupied by a giant Egyptian obelisk decorated
with hieroglyphics exalting the reign of the pharaoh Ramses II. It is one of two the Egyptian government gave to the
French in the nineteenth century. (The other one stayed in Egypt, too difficult
and heavy to move to France with the technology at that time. In the 1990s, President François
Mitterrand gave the second obelisk back to the Egyptians).
Just after the obelisk and square is the famous Avenue des Champs Elysees. With its cinemas, cafés, and
luxury specialty shop, the Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets and
one of the most expensive strips of real estate in the world. The avenue
is just over a mile long (1.18mi) and comes to an end at the arc.
Originally the Arc de Triomphe was also commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate his victory at Austerlitz, however now it has been to honor those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. (Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I).
Eiffel Tower ~ at Night..
Little did we know at every hour on the hour, for 5 minutes, the Eiffel Tower lights up with hundreds of thousands of flashing lights. (Video soon to be posted...)
Now because we were a little adventurous, we decided we wanted to "climb" or walk up to the first two platforms/floor of the tower. Depending how technical you get its either 668 or 710 steps.
Steps Breakdown * accessible to public*
If you consider 710 the total. If you consider 668 the total.
9 steps to the ticket booth at the base 328 steps to the first level
328 steps to the first level 340 steps to the second level
340 steps to the second level
18 steps to the lift platform on the second level
15 steps to the upper observation platform.
We considered 668 but that's us. And then for safety issues you must take one of the lifts to the top floor also known as the "summit." (Which back in the day when you could walk up, it was 1,665 or 1,710 depending on which side you started on).
Now because I have so many photos from this trip, I've made mini collages instead of posting every individual photo.
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| On way to top |
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| Summit and views |
Notre Dame
The Cathedrale Notre-Dame, aka Cathedral of Our Lady, was built between 1163 and 1345 sits in the Île de la Cité - the oldest part of Paris. It is the "ancient heart of the city" and Notre Dame is a lasting memory of such times. It is widely considered one of the best examples of French Gothic Architecture, as well as one of the most well-known churches ever built.
We were fortunate enough to arrive at the beautiful Cathedral during one of its masses. You may still come in and "tour" the interior, you must just be silent, and turn off your flash on your camera, etc. The interior is just as impressive as the intricate exterior. "Admire everything from the twin towers and buttresses to the symmetry to the facade rose stained-glass window.
Holy Chapel
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| Sainte Chapelle |
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| The Palais de Justice |
We had not realized we had passed it until later that night (because we were too hungry) and so I myself have no interior photos and have "borrowed" the one seen on right. I highly recommend you google this church, or click on link here https://www.google.com/search?hl=nl&tok=CceV-zBzxbC_lbQo-1Z-IA&cp=7&gs_id=x&xhr=t&q=sainte+chapelle&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=617&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=ZNllUMX8IMaH0AWa_4HQBQ
Crepes! ~ yummm
I want to take a brief break from the history and landmarks to talk about a delicious French snack we had. Yup! Crepes :) The following collage shows the steps that are taken in making a Chocolate Banana Crepe ~ courtesy of Charla's choice. (I had a cinnamon crepe, not as interesting to be seen being made...).
The Square Court
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| About to enter the square |
The Louvre Pyramid
Something so simple is hard to describe. I didn't know what to expect when we first saw it, but I can definitely saw I thought it was going to be smaller....and was glad I was mistaken. The pyramid and the underground lobby beneath it were created because of a series of problems with the Louvre's original main entrance, which could no longer handle the enormous number of visitors on an everyday basis. Visitors entering through the pyramid descend into the spacious lobby then re-ascend into the main Louvre buildings. Sitting in the square beside the pyramid with the Eiffel Tower just visible in the background was the perfect setting for a quick packed lunch. I highly recommend this area if you are ever in Paris and want to just sit and relax for a while. (Another great spot is in the Champ de Mars, or large grassy square, in front of Eiffel Tower).
Now this next part I am unsure how to split up so I'm just going to sum it up as "the rest" and all the way down Avenue des Champs Elysees to the Arc.
The Rest...
The Rest...
Just past the pyramid is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate him and the military's victories of the past year (1805). After the Arc du Carrousel is the Jardin des Tuileries, or Tuileries Gardens, which were the gardens of the former Royal Palace. Nowadays all that's left is the gardens, and because of their placement between the Louvre and the Obelisk it is one of the most visited parks in Paris. It also provides a great view from the big fountain to the Arc all the way down Champs Elysees. Right after the Gardens is The Place de la Concorde, a major public square. The center of the Place is
occupied by a giant Egyptian obelisk decorated
with hieroglyphics exalting the reign of the pharaoh Ramses II. It is one of two the Egyptian government gave to the
French in the nineteenth century. (The other one stayed in Egypt, too difficult
and heavy to move to France with the technology at that time. In the 1990s, President François
Mitterrand gave the second obelisk back to the Egyptians).  |
Originally the Arc de Triomphe was also commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate his victory at Austerlitz, however now it has been to honor those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. (Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I).
By this point it was starting to get dark...if you couldn't tell by the dimming of the light in the photos. So we figured we would head back over to the Eiffel Tower to see it all lit up at night.
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Eiffel Tower ~ at Night..
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By this time we had been out and sightseeing all Paris had to offer for close to 15 hours, and so after enjoying a little wine under the shimmering lights of the Eiffel Tower we were back on the metro heading for our accommodation; a Polish Convent in the outskirts of Paris.
See Part 2 for day 2 and rest of weekend in Paris.
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