The Fantastic Louvre
by jrs1234
Unless you really, really don't like art, the huge Louvre museum is a must see. Don't worry about seeing it all - it is virtually impossible, unless you have several days to spare. Just try to do justice to the bits that interest you most. Of course you'll probably want to catch the Mona Lisa if you haven't before - but brace yourself for the crowds.
In my case it's the sculpture and French painting that are my personal highlights (of course my next visit might see a change of mind on that).
In summer it's worth buying a Museum pass just to bypass the long queues. For lots more information, check out the Louvre's comprehensive website.
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, but there's late opening (until 9.45) on Wednesdays and Fridays at present. Adult admission is 9 Euros - on the 1st Sunday of the month it's free.
Arc de Triomphe. Don’t try to...
by asantetravel
Arc de Triomphe. Don’t try to cross the street, use one of the underground walkway. You can also climb to the top but the view is not great. A bus ride around the Arc de Triomphe (the Arc is basically in the middle of the street so cars drive in a circle around it until they can get to the street they want)! We did this one night while that old song “Danger Zone” played – it was a trip!
Large intersections
by Nemorino
One of the scariest things about cycling in Paris is trying to get through some of the huge intersections with cars potentially coming at you from eight or nine different directions. Personally I am not too proud to get off my bike and walk it across the pedestrian crosswalks if the situation looks too dangerous.
Of course the local cyclists know the traffic patterns and just zip on through, but you shouldn't try to follow one of them because they also know the timing of the traffic lights, and they are liable to slip through just before the lights change, leaving you in the middle of a huge expanse of asphalt with cars coming at you from some direction you wouldn't have thought possible.
Second photo: In some places the city is starting to deal with this problem by painting these conspicuous markings on the asphalt, to show cyclists where to ride and to alert motorists to the fact that cyclists are likely to be there.
Third and fourth photos: Cyclists following the markings on Boulevard Henri IV, near the Place de la Bastille.
Fifth photo: Here's another example of how cyclists are guided through a once-dangerous intersection. The sign says "Cyclists to turn left follow the arrows", and these arrows of course have the additional effect of warning motorists to look out for cyclists. The building in the background is Les Invalides, by the way.
http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/cerclevicieux/index.jhtml
Musee d'Orsay - The Angel's Whisper
by riorich55
Benjamin Spence sculpted The Angel's Whisper in 1857 based on a poem by Samuel Lover, which tell's of an Irish belief that when a "baby smiles in their sleep they are talking to an angel".
Unlike many sculpter's, Liverpool born (4 other lads from here became quite successful in there own right) Spence did not base his figurines on Greek or Roman mythology, but on characters from Shakesperian or English novels or in this instance the Bible.
Versailles - Grand Trianon, erected in 1687 - 1688
by Jerelis
To be honest ... this is why I wanted to visit the Estate of Versailles -> Marie-Antoinette's Estate. It has always facinated me why she had this particular spot all to herself at this beautiful estate. So off I went for a hike toward the first section, the Grand Trianon, which was erected in 1687 - 1688 by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart to provide Louis XIV with a retreat at the far end of the park at Versailles, far from the constraints of power and the crowd of courtiers. It could be reached by boat along the Grand Canal, and it replaced a "Pavillon d'agrément" used to take refreshments, which had been built on the same spot by Louis Le Vau in 1670. As it was then covered with blue and white porcelain, it was called the Porcelain Trianon. I was really surprised by the fact that I seemed to be the only one undertaking this journey. The 30 minute hike towards the Grand Trianon was a solo one, but beautiful and I entered the gate of the Grand Trianon with really nobody in sight. Where was everybody?
Because of the "Passeport" (A ticket for non guided visits for the entire day) I was able to enter the Grand Trianon rather easily. I saw that this building with its Italianate architecture has merely a ground flooor, covered with a flat roof hidden by a balustrade. Pink Languedoc marble pilasters punctuate the facades. The palace consits of two wings joined together by a peristyle adorned with columns through which I could catch a glimpse of the ornamental and flower gardens. Once inside I followed the non guided tour (green signs). Most of all I was impressed by the Mirror Room (sorry ... no picture because of a guard!). But this large room used to be the Empress's study and still has some of its original furniture in place. The tour was a followed:
Louis XIV's Bedchamber - bedchamber and 2nd drawing-room of the Empress;
Chapel Room - Empress's first drawing-room;
Lords Room - the King's antechamber;
Peristyle - chamber with view at the courtyard side;
Round Room - sitting room for ushers attending the Emperor;
Family Drawing-Room - formerly a theatre;
Music Room - antechamber of Louis XIV;
Malachite Room - bedroom of the Duchesse de Bourgogne;
Cool Room - large private room of the Duchesse de Bourgogne;
Spring Room - Emperor's map room;
Cotelle Galaery - Large room with painted views of Versailles and the Grand Trianon.
Just before I ended the non guided tour I learned from a guard that all the rooms that I visited have kept their mural decoration dating from the time of Louis XIV, with finely carved wood panelling, painted in white and ungilded, as well as decorative paintings. It has been refurnished as it was during the First Empire, except for a few pieces dating from the time of Louis-Philippe. After that interesting history lesson I continued towards the ornamental and flower gardens. It's quite another formal garden, which was built on the site of a former village. Set in the midst of a lush garden, its primary lavishness was floral flowerbeds and they were changed daily, orange trees were planted in the ground, jasmine covered the bowers. Beautiful! Finally it's good to remember that I read that the Grand Trianon was brought back to life again thanks to a decision taken by General de Gualle. Important renovations were undertaken in 1962 - 1965.
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Notre Dame du Sourire, Paris
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