The Eiffel Tower is so quintessentially French and says "Paris" faster than you can speak it. Here are some various shots near, by or on the Tower.
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
Above: on top of the Eiffel Tower, Paris laid out below, 1996.
Another instantly recognizable landmark is the Cathedral of Notre Dame on Ile de la Cité, in the Seine.
Left to right: In front of Notre Dame in spring with cherry trees in bloom; on a bridge over teh Seine leading to Ile de la Cité; arriving on Ile de la Cité from the Metro (note the classic Art Nouvea design of the Metro entrance; in front of Notre Dame; with Jeff at the top by the famous gargoyles.
2008
2008
2008
1996
1996
Left to right: in front of the Carrousel du Louvre, 2008; in front of the I.M. Pei glass pyramid which serves as the modern entrance to the Louvre, 1996; posing with statuary from antiquity in the Louvre, 1996.
Clockwise form top left: in the Musée d'Orsay, 1996; on Ile St. Louis, 2008; with Jeff on Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais behind us, 2008; taking in the view from the window of a friend's apartment on rue de Grenelle, 2008; in front of Versailles, 1996.
In April of 2008, we went on a culinary tour of Paris with our friend Sherry. See her website at Culinary Getaways!
Left: Jeff and I with world-renowned chef Dominique Bouchet in his private cooking atelier. Center and right: Dominique prepares for us a spectacular four-course meal!
Our culinary tour included visits to food markets and cooking instruction with world-class French chefs. Left and right: stunning cheese stands with every kind of cheese imaginable and fresh fruit stalls on rue Cler, 2008. Center: private cooking class at Chef Martial's atelier.
On our final evening of our tour, we had the pleasure of dining at Chef Samuel Cavagnis' lovely restaurant Le Versance--with only one seating a night! Left, Jeff and I at table. Center: a surprising violet-flavoured Kir Royal! Right: the gorgeous original windows in the second floor dining room. The menu was extremely imaginative and Chef Cavagnis was a delight.
The accomodations provided for us on our culinary tour were at the charming Hotel de la Tour Maubourg, located next to Les Invalides and a short walk to the Eiffel Tower. Left: an evening shot of the hotel. Below: the view of the little park from our room--across the street is Les Invalides. Right: the view from our room of the golden dome of Les Invalides, which houses Napolean's tomb.
Au revoir to Paris--for now; we are going to "Angleterre!". Left: waiting for the Eurostar in the first-class lounge at Gare du Nord. Center: preparing for lunch on the train before we enter the Chunnel--still on the French side. Right: enjoying champagne and biscuits on the Eurostar.
