Day 2 in Paris we got up, breakfast on the go and headed out the door to go see everything we could before the day ended. We saw a lot and walked a lot (13.25 mi to be more accurate).
This is the "gas station". Curb side gas I suppose.
Tombeau De Napoleon
Our first stop was Napoleon's tomb. It is another building inside the Les Invalides. Les Invalides is a complex of buildings with monuments and museums relating to the military history of France. The buildings here were used as a hospital and retirement home for war veterans.
We arrived at Napoleon's Tomb and were the first in line. We were the only ones in the building for the first 5 minutes or so. It was great being able to take pictures without a thousand other people inside.
They don't do anything simple here. It's all very ornate.
Rick Steve's says, "You walk to a marble banister that circles the room and look down. Directly under the dome, under rays of sunlight that seem to clash like heavenly swords, sits what looks like a giant loaf of homemade bread, about the size of a UPS truck: the final resting place of France's beloved "Little Corporal."
This little Emperor is buried inside 6 layers of caskets. Again, nothing simple!
Inside the courtyard
This was a breast plate that was supposed to protect the guy wearing it........this is the whole a cannon made through the vest.......not sure the guy lived!
Rodin Museum
Next stop was Auguste Rodin's Museum, a French sculptor. He willed his studio to France and now it is a museum which holds the largest Rodin collection (more than 6,000 sculptures).
The Garden's where some of Rodin's favorites were made into larger pieces and placed here where he could admire them outside.
"The Thinker"
The larger "Thinker"
Group shot. Behind us was Rodin's home.
On our way to Notre Dame
We then hopped on the subway toward Notre Dame. It sits on the eastern half of Île de la Cité which is one of the 2 natural islands in the Seine River.
Lisa and I on the subway....it was a treat to sit down!
Grabbed some crepes at a crepe stand. They have crepe stands like we have hot dog stands.
We tried a crepe with chicken......I think I'll stick to the Nutella and strawberries next time!
The Notre Dame is a Gothic Catholic cathedral which houses the cathedra (official chair) of the Archbishop of Paris. They started the construction of this cathedral in 1163 and was finally complete in 1345. Almost 200 yrs under construction. It was one of the first buildings in the world to use the "flying buttress" (arched exterior supports). This type of architecture was not intended but because of the stress fractures on the building became necessary for support. It was one of my favorite cathedrals that we saw. Very cool!
If you look close, you can see this is "Point Zero". It is the very center of France and used to be the very center of Paris.
Lock your Love.....this has become popular in Europe. You lock your love on a bridge with whatever you can find. I think it's supposed to be an actual lock that has your names on it but if you don't have one of those in your pocket, use what you can find.
We used our lips!!!!!
Hey, we're in Paris! The City of Love!
Walking to La Sainte Chappell
We then started walking toward other sights but couldn't help but take picture after picture.
Typically we would throw cheese that looked like this in the garbage. Little did I know I could stick a high price sticker on it and sell it. It's a delicacy! Now I know I don't have to waste cheese when it looks like this!
Inside the Sainte Chappell. The exact date of construction is unknown. They know it started between 1239-1243. It was complete in 1248. No, not quite as big as the Notre Dame, but still, quite a difference in the time period of construction. It was built to house Louis IX's collection of precious relics of Christ.
The stained glass was one of the most impressive here.
Here we are reading about it from Rick Steves
Sacre'-Coeur Basilica
We then headed to the Sacre'-Coeur (Sacred Heart). A Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is located on the highest point of the city. The foundation stone was laid in 1875, consecrated in 1891, and fully completed in 1914. It was a gorgeous church. Very light and again, very ornate.
I loved how people would grab a bottle of wine, a baguette, some cheese and head to a grassed area to enjoy the city in which they live in. Anytime there was grass and some sort of monument, people were gathered doing just this.
We took the narrow stairs to the dome of the basilica which was some 234 steps. A fantastic view. On a clear day (which we had) you could see for nearly 20 miles.
Walking to dinner
Sarah had a friend who lived in Paris and recommended this great place to eat. We got out our map to find it. And find it we did.....along with more picturesque streets. I loved the cobblestone streets, flower boxes on most windows, and little tiny compact cars parked on the sides.
We walked and walked and found Un Zebre a' Montmartre.....dinner at last. I think this was one of my favorite meals on this trip, Lyonnaise beef with potatoes and green beans.
After dinner, we walked up and down streets just taking pictures.
These are some of my favorites. My husband hasn't changed since the day we married! (Some of you may recall a very similar picture on our wedding day)
Again, we are in Paris.....The City of Love
Just a few tributes to Sasha!
and the Karate Kid!
Nights in Paris were gorgeous. Great lighting and great backgrounds! What a great city!!!!!!!!!
