PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dec 23rd, off to Paris we go!!!!!! Philippe, Anna and myself headed to the city of lights for a full day and evening of sightseeing and that we did!

We drove, takes approx an 1.5 hr to get there from Beaumont Le Roger. Once we reached the edge of Paris we opted to park the car for the day and take the subway. If you come to Paris, that is the way to go, forget the car, especially in the heart of the city. It can take you longer to get to one point then if you were walk or take the subway. Parking for the day wasn't too bad, 26.00 (Canadian) for 11 hrs, cheaper then Toronto! :)

One tip about driving the highways here.............. THEY ARE FRIGGIN CRAZY!!!!!! Unless the speed limit is posted, the speed limit is 130 kms an hour and from what l saw, that was just the starting point... However just because they drive like maniacs here, the law is tough. They have radar machines setup along the highways and if you go 1 km over the limit you will receive in the mail a nice little ticket which will cost you points, yes for even 1 km over you will loose points besides a fine too.

First sight of the Eiffel Tower from the Highway


 It was the first experience for Anna to be on a a subway, she definitely got a kick out of that and we rode on a lot of trains during our visit

Philippe and Anna checking out the subway map


 The Eiffel Tower was built as the entrance arch for the 1889 World Fair - Exposition Universelle, which marked the centennial celebration of the French Revolution. It was said to be the 'symbol of our achievements in the field of science and engineering'. Out of a number of designs submitted as part of a competition, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel won, and was responsible for the construction of the Eiffel Tower. It was a temporary structure with a permit of 20 years, after which it was to be demolished - and that nearly happened in 1909. Had it not been for its use as a telecommunication tower, the Eiffel Tower would have had been long gone!

Our first close up of the Eiffel Tower!

Construction of the Eiffel Tower began on January 26, 1887, and was eventually completed on March 31, 1889. It took 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days, for the 300 workers involved, to complete the Eiffel Tower.

Palaise de Chaillot, street level view

Palaise de Chaillot, houses 4 museums.


the Musée national de la Marine (naval museum), the Musée de l'Homme (ethnology), the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine and the Musée national des Monuments Français

 A Christmas Market and yes an artificial skating rink too!

 

Double level Carousel

Anna going for a ride, she picked the top level to ride on.

The Seine River view as we walked towards the tower.

Yes l took this shot!

What an amazing structure!

We are in line waiting to up the Eiffel Tower!
Another thing crossed off my "bucket list"!





Waiting to get on the elevator to go to the top of the Tower! Cheaper then going up the CN Tower by a long shot! Was only $53.00 Canadian for the three of us.

Seine River from above

Ecole Militaire

Palais De Chaillot

Arc De Triomphe

Roue de Paris, ferris wheel

The Tower at night!

Views at night

View was absoutely breath taking to see at night

After seeing Paris at night,
you understand why it gets the name "City of Lights"

Approx every hr the tower will have
flashing lights going off for about 10 mins.

From underneath the tower, looking up.

Street view

Palais De Chaillot


 As you can see, we really enjoyed touring the Eiffel tower especially being able to see it at two different time periods, day/night... Looks totally but equally beautiful at the different settings.

So now we are off to the Arc De Triomphe and  Avenue Des Champs Elysees. Once again another subway ride for Anna and of course for our tired feet!

Arc De TriompheThe Arc de Triomphe (Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile) is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle (originally named Place de l'Étoile), at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. The Arc de Triomphe (in English: "Triumphal Arch") honours 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.

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a prestigious avenue in Paris. With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets and one of the most expensive strip of real estate in the world. The name is French for Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed dead in Greek mythology. The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is known as "The most beautiful avenue of the world", La plus belle avenue du monde in French.

Just an example of some of the window displays we saw during our tour of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

There were many car dealerships right along the avenue. They are not like at home, no car lots  here! You would think you were going into a high end clothing or Jewerely store by the looks of the store fronts, not a car dealership!.

Cartier

In case you can't remember the price of the watch..... it's only  just over 41,000 Eu which works out to be roughly 57,400 Canadian....

Ok, not finished posting pics from our Paris visit but l am calling it a night. Will continue with the visit tomorrow!