Best Western Folkestone Opera

Festive holiday trip to the city of lights

by kph100

"Eurostar - oh so easy"

travelled down from Cheltenham to Ashford, Kent on Christmas Afternoon after lunch at my parents. 2 1/2 hour journey - no traffic surprisingly - not.

Stayed in travelodge for £15 per room special.
Caught the 9am Eurostar to Paris gare du Nord arriving about 2 hours later.

Straight to Best Western Folkestone Opera near to Madeleine Square.

Afternoon metro to Sacre Couer.

"Louvre again"

day 2 - morning spent in Louvre, go via the mall entrance.

day 3 - Versailles. Buy the Forfait Loisirs Chateau de Versailles - 19 euros.

"Eiffel of course"

Day 4 - Eiffel tower, Notre Dame,

Day 5 - La Defense, bastille, train home.

TO BE UPDATED

Venus de Milo

by dixonchan

In spite of lacking attributes, the size and the attitude of this statue allow its identification as a goddess: Aphrodite, often represented half nude, or Amphitrite, goddess of the sea, venerated on the island of Melos. The style is characteristic of the late Hellenistic period, which revives classical themes while innovating. Thus the slipping drapery on the hips entails a closed stance and introduces an instancy to the figure. It hides the joint between the two blocks of marble that were sculpted separately, as were the left arm and leg, according to an utterly new technique. WARNING!!! Be there early or end up squeezing with the crowd to see this legendary statue

The Mansard style in Paris architecture

by kris-t

A mansard or mansard roof (also called a French roof) is a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof made to create additional habitable space.
The style was named after architect Francois Mansart (1598–1666), who use this style a lot in his designs.
It became particularly characteristic of French Renaissance architecture .

Nowadays traditional mansard roofs are all over Paris. "In the French language, mansarde can be a term for the style of roof, or for the garret living space, or attic, directly within it...
A Parisian law had been in place since 1783, restricting the heights of buildings to 20 meters (65 feet). The height was only measured up to the cornice line, making any living space contained in a mansard roof exempt."

Instant Caricatures

by Jacquelynn

I don't know how the young artists in front of the Louvre compare to those around the Sacre Coeur, but these guys were fun, friendly, and fast.

As with most things touristy, do not pay the initial sum requested. These quick sketch artists accepted 10 euro for two.

Suggestions for a visit to Paris in January

by Diana75

Compared to other places in Europe buried in snow in this period of the year, we've been lucky during our stay in Paris.

The weather was quite ok, the temperature was around 5-6 degrees above 0 and we had a light rain in two days, but nothing that could stopped us walking all day long.

As I said before, Paris is not a small town and for sure the pair of comfortable shoes was my best friend.
I haven't got a hat but when I climbed Tour Eiffel was windy and it would have been great having one.

For a perfect journey in Paris in this period of the year it's mandatory to have: a pair of comfortable shoes, hat, umbrella, warm clothes, a small bag (for not having problems with the pickpockets in the metro or in other crowdy places), but also an elegant outfit for a nice night out.