Well today is mom’s birthday and no I will not let you know how old she is. I have just passed the 3 month point on my trip. It really has just flown by. After I slept in a little tiny bit today I grabbed a couple croissants from the breakfast room and headed to the metro. The first stop of the day would be the Eiffel Tower. The sun was shining a bit this morning so I was hoping the views would be ok.
Looking up at the Eiffel Tower from the centre of the base.
No problem with the train at all and it got me right to where I needed to go. There was a bit of a line to get up the tower….and then I realized that was only if I wanted to take the elevator. I opted for the stairs….I had to let's face it. The trip was actually not too bad. I made it to the first level and took a few pictures, checked out the Ice Bar and then headed up the next set to the second level.
The ice Eiffel Tower at the Ice Bar.
Looking down at the Champ de Mars from the first level of the tower. The Champs de Mars is named for the Roman god of war (that being Mars) and was originally used as a parade ground for the nearby Military Academy.
Once again a great view and I got some good pictures but I had no choice but to continue on to the summit. I think I was suppose to get another ticket but I didn’t and they still let me up so I am not going to say anything.
The Arc de Triomphe.
Me with the Jardins du Trocadero.
Of course you cannot take the stairs all the way up so I took the elevator the rest of the way. I did not enjoy the ride so much. You can see way too much of the ground from there so did not enjoy the view at all. Once at the top I took a few more pictures and then quickly took the elevator back down to the second level. Once I started down the steps to the first level I started to notice the heights were starting to bug me. I tried to walk along the inside rail so I could not see the ground so well but people did not seem to want to let me do that. Part way down to the ground I actually had to stop because I almost threw-up and then almost passed out. I really hate vertigo and am not sure I remember it being this bad before. Anyway, I was not going to let that ruin my visit to the Tower. It was still great.
This is the Basilique du Sacre Coeur. Not sure if I will make it there or not.
Looking down at the Jardins du Trocadero. It looks very nice now but I am sure it looks even better in the summer when the flowers are in bloom and the fountains are running. Above it you can see the Palais de Chaillot.
An old spiral staircase. Of course I could not climb up it but I can imagine a time when this would have been the only way up the tower. Not sure I would make it.
Once on the ground, I took a few deep breaths and really felt a lot better. I attempted to find a city map but could not find one. Up to this point I have been travelling around Paris with only my little tiny Lonely Planet maps and just mainly using landmarks to get around…..and it actually has been working. Maybe I should have dumped the maps a few countries ago.
Looking up at the tower.
This picture is taken from above the Jardins du Trocadero next to the Palais de Chaillot.
Anyway, I made my way over to the Arch de Triomphe. I confirmed there that I should have paid more to climb the tower because getting into the Arch actually cost more. I also reconfirmed that I look younger than I am because I have been paying the cheaper rates (up to 24 years old) at all these places…..yeah to looking younger. I climbed to Arc because I had to (I was there) and took a picture down Champs Elysees but decided I would visit it later. I had another destination in mind.
The Arc de Triomphe. It was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories. It remained unfinished when he started losing battles and then entire wars and was not completed until 1836. In 1920 the body of an unknown soldier from World War I was lain beneath the arc. He and countless others are commemorated by a memorial flame at the site.
The staircase. It was awesome.
From the top of the Arc.
Looking down Champs Elysees from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.
I then hopped back on the metro and made my way over to the Catacombs. This is a very cool, very creepy, very everything place. Basically when Paris cemeteries were overflowing and disease was spreading, bones were exhumed and stored in old unused rock quarries under the city. So basically you walk about half a kilometre underground (or something like that) down these old tunnels that are damp and sometimes actually have water dripping from the ceiling until you get to the orssay.
Part of the walkway down into the Catacombs. Really was creepy.
Here you find rows upon rows of bones piled on top of each other. It is truly creepy to see. If you are ever in Paris I tell you this place is a must unless you get really creeped out by small dark spaces and the remains of dead people…then skip it and go some place else.
Some of those piles of bones.
It was really hard to get good pictures down there because you can't use a flash but here is a little video that might give you an idea of what it was like to walk through it.
I then made my way back to my hotel for a little rest. I am down to my final few days of this trip and fighting a cold and determined not to let it knock me out…until I get home. After a short rest I hopped back on the metro and headed to the most famous street in Paris….Champs Elysees.
I took this from close to the Arc de Triomphe.
I decided to head there in the dark when everything would be all lit up. Plus it is close to the Eiffel Tower so I figured it would be easy to head over and check out the Christmas decorations on that as well. The street was very, very busy. Many of the shops were still open so lots of people shopping…making me excited for my shopping tomorrow. Of course there were a few too many people for my liking so I decided not to stick around too long.
They were closed so it was ok.
Yes this is a giant Louis Vuitton store. I didn't go inside.
I headed to check out the tower and get a couple pictures. Found some nice Brazilian boys to take a couple for me and then back to the area around my hotel for a look see. There are a few buildings there including the Pantheon (yes, just like in Rome) and of course everything is so pretty this time of year with all the Christmas lights and stuff (I know I have said that a lot but I really like Christmas).
A look at the tower at night. It really was nice to see.
Eventually I had to find some dinner and then to bed. I have a lot planned tomorrow as well including a visit to some grand times of the past and a little bit of retail therapy.
The church outside my hotel. Always looks a little different in the dark.
Julie
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