Woke up with Mitul bhaiya's taunts. Last night was fun, but really unwise because I was the joker. Drowned into self-pity, I was thinking what happened last night. It was nothing serious though, just kept on drinking till I got myself floored. No offense to anyone, but I bet the topics I have raised in that fun discussion was obnoxious. And now the headache was agitating me to my nerves. Mitul bhaiya (M) started hurrying as we were about to miss our breakfast. Quickly had a shower, dressed up and dashed towards dining area.
On top of the never ending headache, Michelle and Sam's face was nothing but a twinge of guilt. Apology was the best medicine and then some french croissant, yummy. Twitching my head, pulled my mind to somewhere productive; lets fix some plans for today. Although M told me all the plans last night, but today, we need a little recap. you know why!
We are at Porte de la Villette (district 9) and we will be dropped off at Louvre, which is close to Musée du Louvre (district 1). After Louvre we will be heading for some other attractions, but everything depends on how quickly we can finish Louvre. So lets just hop in the bus.
Louvre is huge and daedal 12th century construction, used a palace till 1682 when Lois XIV moved to Palace of Versailles and leaving Louvre Palace primarily for exhibition. And then, from 1793 the Louvre Palace started its journey as The Musée du Louvre. Although in the night it looked glorious, the morning look wasn't that dull with so much of crowd. The waiting period for the entry can be easily comparable to the boxing day sales queue, in Central London or possibly the queue for visa applications in Bangladesh. To beat that we have arrived pretty early and now entered through the glass pyramid which is apparently the main entrance and bought our tickets. Finally we are now at the middle of no where, walking around blithely, where to go to enter the museum.
Now we know we have 3 huge galleries, each gallery with 3 different floors. Snubbing the vastness of Louvre we started walking for the nearest gallery, Denon, where they have, La joconde, the Monalisa.
Monalisa was the most crowded exhibit one could ever be. Honestly, I dont like her, she does not look seductive, sexy nothing at all that would interest me in her. But yet, dashing towards her, was exciting, looking at her was a feeling like, meeting a long lost friend after a long wait. It was worthy. The museum pass is valid for 1 whole day, means, if you leave the museum, you can still come back inside once again before the museum closes the doors for the day. And I already long to come back to see her, before the day ends.
As we have a plan to be in the Museum till lunch, we still have enough time to take a stroll around. So we just keep on walking. Back in my mind I have Da Vinci Code, just to see where Mary Magdalene's tomb would be although I doubt those incidents to be true. But at least, I can find out where the filming took place.
Another beautiful section apart from Sculpture and Paintings is Napoleon III's (Not to be confused with Napoléon Bonaparte who was Napoléon I) luxurious Apartment which I'd highly recommend and rate as five star.
It is really not entirely possible to visit every exhibit and know the story behind, in just one day. There are different departments such as, Egypt, Rome, Greek Antiquates, Muslim Art, Painting, Sculpture, Decorative Arts, even Eastern Antiquates, you just name it, and visiting according to your taste and interest is the best way to enjoy Louvre. As long as you know where your desired exhibits are, it will be a lot easier to find your fun in Louvre. Also, a little browsing on internet to make your visit worthy, would be very wise.
Louvre cafeteria twitched us back to routine dimension from serenity, stomach was urging for food and the smell the lunch time preparation was not really being helpful. It was time to leave.
Local McDonalds, spent €12 for large meal, chomped everything in no time. And then headed for Notre-Dame which was just some blocks away in district 5, nearest station St-Michel Notre-Dame.
Notre Dame de Paris (means Our Lady of Paris), also known as Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the famous cathdrals in Europe carrying the Cathedra of Archbishop of Paris. Being constructed in 14th century, Notre Dame carries evidences of lots of history, violence like French Revolution in 1790 is one of them, and still offering mass and prayer services as a living cathedral. Enter the cathedral to have a spiritual visit with holy background musics, performed live. Entry is free and so is the tower. Climbing up 387 steps towards the top of the tower should not be missed, as it gives you a unforgettable view of the city of lights.
We had an earlier plan of a picnic next to Eiffel Tower, which Lyndsey disclosed to us at the drop off point. As we have pretty much of time left, we can always take a stroll instead of metro. It wont be a much of walk though, we'll be walking through district 8, walk past Assemblée Nationale towards district 7 for Eiffel tower. We are little limping, however, hope it will be fine for a this little walk.
Eiffel tower came into our view after several wrong turns and guidance, which was a lot to pay only for a gourmet picnic on time. Although the sight of Eiffel tower was once again triggering. Upon forgetting the spot where we needed to wait, we stood right underneath the tower, and trust me that is the most amazing feeling you could ever get if you wanted to be here for so long.
By Mehraj Anik COPYRIGHT © Mehraj Anik, 2010-11 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHTED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION. NO PART OF THIS SITE MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC OR MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER.
On top of the never ending headache, Michelle and Sam's face was nothing but a twinge of guilt. Apology was the best medicine and then some french croissant, yummy. Twitching my head, pulled my mind to somewhere productive; lets fix some plans for today. Although M told me all the plans last night, but today, we need a little recap. you know why!
Paris Metro Map (click to larger version)
Paris main tourist attraction (divided into districts)
We are at Porte de la Villette (district 9) and we will be dropped off at Louvre, which is close to Musée du Louvre (district 1). After Louvre we will be heading for some other attractions, but everything depends on how quickly we can finish Louvre. So lets just hop in the bus.
Louvre is huge and daedal 12th century construction, used a palace till 1682 when Lois XIV moved to Palace of Versailles and leaving Louvre Palace primarily for exhibition. And then, from 1793 the Louvre Palace started its journey as The Musée du Louvre. Although in the night it looked glorious, the morning look wasn't that dull with so much of crowd. The waiting period for the entry can be easily comparable to the boxing day sales queue, in Central London or possibly the queue for visa applications in Bangladesh. To beat that we have arrived pretty early and now entered through the glass pyramid which is apparently the main entrance and bought our tickets. Finally we are now at the middle of no where, walking around blithely, where to go to enter the museum.
Queue at Louvre (collected)
Under the glass pyramid, at the entrance
Louvre (site link and wikipedia) is the biggest and one of the most visited museums in the world, having around 8.5 million visitors in 2009. I dont doubt that after all, seeing the way, it exhibits, serves people as we were rescued by the central information booth which was right next to us, by handing us an English map of Louvre.
Ground floor map
1st floor map
2nd floor map
Now we know we have 3 huge galleries, each gallery with 3 different floors. Snubbing the vastness of Louvre we started walking for the nearest gallery, Denon, where they have, La joconde, the Monalisa.
Archways, Louvre
Louvre painting gallery
Monalisa, Louvre
Monalisa was the most crowded exhibit one could ever be. Honestly, I dont like her, she does not look seductive, sexy nothing at all that would interest me in her. But yet, dashing towards her, was exciting, looking at her was a feeling like, meeting a long lost friend after a long wait. It was worthy. The museum pass is valid for 1 whole day, means, if you leave the museum, you can still come back inside once again before the museum closes the doors for the day. And I already long to come back to see her, before the day ends.
La Joconde (aka Monalisa)
As we have a plan to be in the Museum till lunch, we still have enough time to take a stroll around. So we just keep on walking. Back in my mind I have Da Vinci Code, just to see where Mary Magdalene's tomb would be although I doubt those incidents to be true. But at least, I can find out where the filming took place.
Louvre largest painting
Size: 32' x 22'
Fresco at Louvre
Napoléon's Grand Salon
Napoléon's dining area
It is really not entirely possible to visit every exhibit and know the story behind, in just one day. There are different departments such as, Egypt, Rome, Greek Antiquates, Muslim Art, Painting, Sculpture, Decorative Arts, even Eastern Antiquates, you just name it, and visiting according to your taste and interest is the best way to enjoy Louvre. As long as you know where your desired exhibits are, it will be a lot easier to find your fun in Louvre. Also, a little browsing on internet to make your visit worthy, would be very wise.
Cour Puget, Musée du Louvre
Cour Marly, Musée du Louvre
Louvre cafeteria twitched us back to routine dimension from serenity, stomach was urging for food and the smell the lunch time preparation was not really being helpful. It was time to leave.
Local McDonalds, spent €12 for large meal, chomped everything in no time. And then headed for Notre-Dame which was just some blocks away in district 5, nearest station St-Michel Notre-Dame.
Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame de Paris (means Our Lady of Paris), also known as Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the famous cathdrals in Europe carrying the Cathedra of Archbishop of Paris. Being constructed in 14th century, Notre Dame carries evidences of lots of history, violence like French Revolution in 1790 is one of them, and still offering mass and prayer services as a living cathedral. Enter the cathedral to have a spiritual visit with holy background musics, performed live. Entry is free and so is the tower. Climbing up 387 steps towards the top of the tower should not be missed, as it gives you a unforgettable view of the city of lights.
Mass outside Notre-Dame
Inside Notre dame 1
Inside Notre Dame 2
Inside Notre Dame 3
We hit the french roads once again and this time, Arc de Triomph is our destination. M was already shattered, stoically keeping the pace with me. Possibly it was God who listened to M's prayer, rain started pouring down so heavily, it almost felt like a rainstorm. We tried to shed ourselves from the heavy rain, but still getting wet and watching the rain dancing along the wind like Samba. I so wished get myself wet in the rain, but obligations ... so many of them, at least when you have a fourteen days of plan ahead to stay out of home, on a tour. So headed back to B&B hotel.
Just a quick change and back to the station, Port de la Villette. Next stop Charles de Gaulle Étoile for the Arc de Triomph in District 17.
Arc de Triomphe is the most famous monument in Paris, built in the remembrance of those who died in French Revolution and Napoleonic wars. It is said that, after the French revolution in 1848 when Napoléon III came back to France he constructed this to welcome himself and his soldiers. Also there are tombs of unknown soldiers who died in World war I beneath the vault. Read more about Arc de Triomphe by clicking here.
Arc de Triomphe is the most famous monument in Paris, built in the remembrance of those who died in French Revolution and Napoleonic wars. It is said that, after the French revolution in 1848 when Napoléon III came back to France he constructed this to welcome himself and his soldiers. Also there are tombs of unknown soldiers who died in World war I beneath the vault. Read more about Arc de Triomphe by clicking here.
Arc de Triomphe
We had an earlier plan of a picnic next to Eiffel Tower, which Lyndsey disclosed to us at the drop off point. As we have pretty much of time left, we can always take a stroll instead of metro. It wont be a much of walk though, we'll be walking through district 8, walk past Assemblée Nationale towards district 7 for Eiffel tower. We are little limping, however, hope it will be fine for a this little walk.
Streets in France
Arts on streets
River Seine
Street life, Paris 1
Street life, Paris 2
River Seine and Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower close up
Writing a lecture about Eiffel Tower is surely a waste of time. Who doesn't know it? But certainly there are a lot little things, you may care to know or something, that will amaze you. Just log on to Eiffel tower official site to see its history, unknown facts, ticket prices and things you need know before visit. Also Wikipedia stores a lot informations which may interest you. But there is one thing you may find nowhere. Every year in average 4 people jump off or hang themselves from Eiffel Tower, making it one of the top most popular suicide spots. You'll find heavy duty clothes are hanging at the bottom of the tower, not to catch the suicide-rs, but to catch the dead bodies, so they do not make major disruption for travelers. Anyways, back here, we have finally found out our group, thanks to wonderful Greg, now its picnic time!
Lyndsey working hard to serve food while others just watching her struggling ...
... And as soon as the food was served ...
Last night at Paris. Heavy drinks are very much expected and the plan was so. We had an option to go for a tour on river Seine by a cruise, on-board drinks are free! Who could have been a man enough to avoid those free pints? No one but me! No more of terrorist chatting being drunk. So a little walk by the river and then off to the roomy hotel's clumsy bed. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day. Its Switzerland, our next destination.
River Seine and Eiffel Tower at night
Pont Alexander III aka "The Kissing Bridge"
See you tomorrow, on board, on the way to Switzerland ...
By Mehraj Anik COPYRIGHT © Mehraj Anik, 2010-11 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHTED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION. NO PART OF THIS SITE MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC OR MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER.
Lovely experience! Like the shots A LOT!!!
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