A weekend in Paris ( Sept 19th to Sept20th) Photos at picasaweb.google.com/madhuri008

We traveled from London to Paris in Euro star from St Pancreas, London to Gare De Nord, Paris. We booked at Hotel called St Fracias at Nord. The reason is Nord is the place which is near to Railway stations and near to all attractions in Paris. After two days I feel this is the best decision I had made. Euro star travel is quite comfortable and fast. Do not expect to see much of country from Eurostar as the travel is inside tunnel. Service is good and they served breakfast and drinks. When we entered France we were scared a little as everybody is taking in French but we were able to figure out taxi stand. The station in France is no better than any Indian station and I saw some people trying to ask for money.

I had shown address to taxi guy he bought us fast to hotel. Euros is currency here and had bought couple of 100 Euros. We freshed up and went to Grey line tours office for tour. Our experience here is not that good with greyline guys. The tour guide sophia did not show any interest in guiding us. That afternoon tour included tour to Concord, arc de triumph, Siena river cruise and Eifel tower. All these places are within couple of miles distance and there is no need for a bus too. On that day we finished all by 6:30 went to hotel and came back for shopping at champ de elesys (Pronounced as Shan de dj). Concord is nearby and took photos in night. Next day the tour was for Louvre museum (Pronounced as Lou). Here I did it on my own as tour guy was walking fast and my kid was not able to keep up with him. We did it at our own pace and was able to cover all important paintings/sculptures. There are some beautiful paintiangs and sculptures. Visit picasaweb.google.com/madhuri008 for photos. I am planning to write about the art for art lovers seperately about the arts/artists and what they tried to present to us. Credit for Louvre goes to Francis 1 who bought art from Leonardo and other Italian painters. In sculptures you can find Venus of Milo, Winged Victory of Somantrace, Marriage at Cana, Adam and eve.

Now one thing I found is all the places to see in Paris are in 2 miles distance and there is no need for any guide if you do some research. The order on this road is Louvre museum (Prevously French kings Palace) Tulireas garden (Kings need a garden so it is right in front of the palace), Concord (Where there is fountain built by king so it is in front of garden), Concord also has a historic gullitone used to cut the heads off during French revolution and this is right in front of the fountain. King and the queen were also beheaded there. Then the shopping/fashion center of Paris Champ de elesyss starts. The road ends at Arc de truimp built by Napolean to celebrate his victories. Louvre museam has finest paintings from all over Europe and I am amazed to see such collection. The collection starts from Egyptian relics (3000 B.C), Greek Civilizations (Around 400 b.c), Rome is next in order and Paris is capital for art with paintings of Mona Lisa, Works of Michael angelo they have great collection which I can write seperately.

Paris highlights:

Champs-Élysées (Pronounced in French as Shan de dj)



An eatery at Shan de dj - 09/19/2009

Prestigious avenue having luxury shops, cafes, theatres highest rents in world $1.5 million per 1000 square feet.This avenue has chestnut trees and termed as most beautiful avenue in the world. If you are deep in pockets visit this place.


Place de la Concorde: (Pronounced as COCO)


The Concorde where the Revolutionists killed King Louis XV1 (Guillotine)
Photographed on 09/19/2009

View at Concorde. This has fountains and Eiffel tower.
Photographed on 09/19/2009

Historical place with monuments and fountains. Largest square in France. During french revolution the king Louis XV1 is executed with Guillotine. In one month almost 1500 people were executed here during the revolution. Must see if you are inspired by French revolution. I grew up appreciating the people revolutions against tyranny and the French revolution is one of the most influencing events in history.

Arc de triomphe:



Napoleon's arch of Truimph
Photographed on 09/20/2009


It was commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napoleon at the peak of his fortunes. Laying the foundations alone took two years, and in 1810 when Napoleon entered Paris from the west with his bride Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, he had a wooden mock-up of the completed arch.From the top there is a panoramic view of Paris, of twelve major avenues leading to the Étoile and of the exceptionally busy roundabout in which the Arc stands.

Seine river:

Many of Paris most famous monuments are on the Seine river banks, including Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel tower.


Eiffel Tower:


Photographed on 09/19/2009

From the time of his project proposal in 1886, Gustave Eiffel knew that the Tower’s service to science alone could protect it from its enemies and extend its life span. At the beginning it was meant to last 20 years and then be destroyed! Eiffel therefore spelled out the uses he had in mind: meteorological and astronomical observation, experimentation in physics. Must see place.

Louvre Museam:

All these photos at Louvre taken on 09/20/2009



Main attraction of Louvre My Lady Lisa --- Monalisa
by Leonardo da Vinci (An italian bought to France by King Francis)


Best artists, best paintings and best sculptors. French were able to acquire them because of the colonies they ruled and their kings artistic sense. Francis 1 is responsible for the collections of Lenordo. Must be in ur itenary if you appreciate art.



Michaelangelo's --- The slave





Venus de Milo - The goddess of Love and beauty of Romans Created
160 b.c left arm is supposed to have apple and right arm
supposed to hold drape by Alexandros of Antioch




Antonio Canova's statue Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss
a scene excerpted from Lucius Apuleius' The Golden Ass in Louvre





The winged goddess of Victory standing on the prow of a ship
overlooked the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on the island of Samothrace
2nd century B.C.





The Wedding Feast at Cana - At the center is Christ, who is
performing his first miracle by turning water into wine by
late Renaissance Italian painter, Paolo Veronese. This is a
massive painting way taller than any one of us.