Walking Amongst the Spirits

I have waited ten years to visit Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, so naturally I was quite excited to make our way on our last day in Paris. It was an unusual morning, as it snowed, a light dusting. It was quite pretty.

Tuileries Garden covered with snow

However, this small amount of powder was enough to shut the entire city down, including the cemetery, due to treacherous weather. I tried to use my being a funeral director to allow me special privileges, but the cemetery personnel really could care less. Anyway, I did get a few quick shots around the cemetery. I guess I'll just have to wait yet again to see this great cemetery. Hopefully, it's not another ten years.

Main entrance gates to Pere-Lachaise Cemetery

The only glimpse inside the cemetery I was able to snap.

Although this is the most famous cemetery in Paris, we were able to visit and walk around Montparnasse Cemetery, which opened in 1824, and was opened during the 'snowstorm'. One thing I noticed was that the older graves are on the perimeter, and the newer and even current burials are in the center. Here are some very unique monuments and their forever residents.

Charles Pigeon Family Tomb, who was a French industrialist and inventor, is quite unique as it depicts him in bed with his wife.

Andre Citroen, founded the famous French car firm (left).



Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty (right).

Swan Hennessy, composer of music

Spending the Day with Mona, Venus & Cupid

There were two places that I wanted to see when I was in Paris in 1999, however never got the chance. One of those places, a 'must-see' is the Louvre Museum. We happened to be in Paris, the first Sunday of the month, where many of the city's museums are free of charge. We arrived early in the morning and spent the entire day. The museum is divided into three galleries over four floors. And, we covered just about everything in a day's time. Below are just a few of my favorite shots.

Outside of the Louvre.

The famous pyramid, which is the new entrance into the museum, was featured in the movie The DaVinci Code.

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss by Antonio Canova (1787)

Mona Lisa, behind glass, as well a barrier 20 feet around here. I was amazed that we could even take pictures.

This was the crowd waiting to see Mona Lisa.

The Lacemaker (1665) by Jan Vermeer, it is one of the oldest pieces in the Louvre and my favorite piece.

Venus de Milo, was found in 1820 on the island of Milo in Greece, however is said to date back to the end of the 2nd century BC.

This is just one of the Marly Horses, by Guillaume Coustou, that used to stand near the Place de la Concorde since the 19th century. Replicas replace them and the originals are in the Louvre's courtyard.

St. Francis of Assisi, by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

The Writer

Amour menaçant (The Whispering Angel) by Étienne Maurice Falconet

Parlez vous francais?

It's been ten years this April since I was in Paris. I have fond memories and have been looking forward to experiencing the Parisian way once again. An early start to the morning as our train departed mid-morning. It was amazing to see the amount of people traveling just to Paris, and it was not the only train that day. Of course, as it is my first trip on the Eurostar I had to document the event. I'll admit, I was a bit nervous to travel on the train, as it does travel across the channel (under water). However, once traveling, sleep came quite easy and missed the whole tunnel experience. The ride itself to Paris' Gare du Nord station is a little over two hours. And what a difference a country, a city makes! I always bragged about Paris' transportation system and its colored-coordinated train lines taking you to all ends of the city and beyond. However, after experiencing London's transportation system, 'the Tube', I was quite disappointed and frustrated using Paris' system again. The stations are extremely old, just like London's, however, it seems the city has not bothered to perform any renovations, in the least bit. They are extremely dirty and their signage is misleading or non-existent. London's, on the other hand, was the exact opposite: clean, modern and quite organized. But...I digress.

We arrived at the station and purchased our METRO tickets to make our way to our hotel, Emeraude Hotel Louvre Montana, a lovely place in close proximity to the Louvre Museum and Rue de Rivoli. Being that I was in Paris 10 years ago, and that Darren lived in Paris for a time being, we both have seen a lot of the 'must-see' sights. We decided to get settled in the hotel and took a walk around Paris.

It was a brisk afternoon, however quite sunny. We walk from our hotel, down the Rue de Rivoli and to the Place de Concorde. We walked across the Seine in search of a quick bite to each before our big dinner this evening. This is one of my favorite pictures, as I took it myself (pretty good as I did get the Eiffel in the pic). We had a quick, late lunch at Cafe al la Dauphine on the Boulevard St. Germain and then we continue to walk across the Seine River and then through the Jardin des Tuileries, which is not particularly attractive at this time of year, but beautiful in the Spring and Summer, as I vividly remember from my 1999 trip.

Although we did not have enough time to stay for the entirety, we did make our way to part of the evening vigil Mass at Notre Dame. I was able to walk around the entire cathedral which I was unable to do before. The architecture is as stunning on the inside, as they out. Visitors still flocked to the Nativity scene, which would be up on January 6.

We made our way to the Montparnasse Tower for a special dinner at Le Ciel de Paris, which is atop of the tower. It was a beautiful and clear night. We had a corner table, with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. A light, similar to that of a lighthouse, circles around all of Paris. Every hour on the hour for five minutes the entire tower flashes in lights. This was a special addition for the millennium in 2000. We had a lovely meal and even met a couple from New York. I highly recommend making reservations if you are planning a trip to Paris.

We took a nice, long walk back to the hotel, which was much needed after our meal, and strolled down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées back toward the Place de Concorde. Aren't the lights just beautiful! It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful day. Tomorrow, we will go to where I've been wanting to visit for a very long time. Where? Well, you'll have to read my next entry...Au revoir et Bonsoir.