adventure – Travelbyjaed

As part of my trip to Paris in May 2016, I visited the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur Bascilica and went on a night-time cruise on the River Seine. This post covers those experiences and shows you the great sights I saw.

Eiffel Tower
We paid approximately £14 for our tickets for the Eiffel Tower, we didn’t pre-buy our tickets, I really wish we had as we queued for 1 hour 30mins to get out tickets and then another 30 mins to get into the lift that took us 3/4 of the way up. Getting to the top requires two separate lift journeys. One from ground to 3/4 up the tower and another to take you up to the topmost viewing platform.

The Tower is an amazing structure and a remarkable feat of engineering. The views from the tower are stunning. Paris is even more so a beautiful city when viewed from the tower, especially when the mostly white buildings that make up the city glisten in the sun. It was very calming on the tower even though it was busy with lots of people around. The air and the scenery allowed me to escape into a place serenity. It is truly a worthwhile activity to do, but book your tickets in advance and go early to get the most out of the experience.

Up Close of The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Night Cruise on the River Seine
We wanted to see the city by night and we felt the best way to experience the city would be on a cruise on the River Seine as the cruise take you through the heart of the city and past iconic landmarks. We paid approximately £20 for the cruise which includes a hot drink and a crepe. The night cruise was well worth the money, I personally being on the water as I find it very calming. The boat wasn’t busy so i was able to move freely to get the best views.

The Eiffel Tower at Night from the River Seine, Paris, France — The Eiffel Tower at night from the River Seine, Paris, France

Notre Dame at Night From the River Seine, Paris, France

Paris France by Night on the River Seine

Paris, France by Night From the River Seine

Sacré-Cœur
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, is more commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica or often simply called Sacré-Cœur. Sacre-Coeur is a popular landmark, Parisian landmark and located in the summit of the art district of Montmarte. The Basilica is worth a visit for great views of the city, to get a Parisian caricature from a street artist and to spend some time in the park and gardens located at the base of Sacre-Coeur.

Street Art, Paris, France — Street Art Montmarte, Paris, France

Overall
There are loads to do in Paris, the city is chic, artsy and romantic. It may be a while before I return to the city but I am sure I will visit again to enjoy Parisian culture. Want to know other things to do in the city check out my previous blogs here and here.

If you’ve enjoyed my review or not leave a comment.
Or if you want any advice for your trip drop leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.

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My Trip to Paris in May 2016 would be the third time visiting the French capital. I have posted a blog (here)on my previous experiences in the city and it is worth a read for tips on what to do in the city of style.

This blog is going to focus on my visit to the Louvre Museum. In my previous post I stated that the old Grand Palace of Louvre and the museum was an impressive, beautifully preserved and a stunning piece of architecture. The historic palace buildings wrap themselves around the magnificent modern glass pyramid of the Louvre Museum. The old and new work together in harmony and is testament of how historical and new architecture can compliment each other. And my previous sentiments still remain the museum and the palace are truly astonishing.

Louvre Palace, Paris, France — The Old Grand Palace and Louvre Museum, Paris, France

The Old Grand Palace and Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Inside the Louvre Pyramid, Paris, France

Me outside the Louvre Museum, Paris, France

We bought our ticket for entry into the museum online for approximately £13. We joined the queue, only to get to the front and be old to go collect our tickets from an outside kiosk. I should have read the note on the website more carefully as it did say that the collection point for the tickets is from a newsagent kiosk outside the museum. Nevertheless we made the 10 mins detour to the kiosk, rejoined the queue and was inside the museum within 30 minutes.
It is as impressive inside as it is outside, but somewhat overwhelming after all it is the largest museum in the world. We had particular pieces we wanted to see, the Mona Lisa being at the top of the list followed closely by the Venus de milo

Inside the Louvre Museum, Paris, France 3 — Inside the Louvre Museum, Paris, France

The Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is tiny and it was hard to get a good view of, in a melee of elbows and flashes, I took the photo below and got out the mix quickly. I wasn’t moved by the painting, I have seen several Rembrandt self portraits and they have a pull and enchantment that the Mona Lisa did not have for me, perhaps the crowd of people diminished the experience. Still it was good to see in person what is arguably the most famous painting in the world.

The Mona Lisa, Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Venus de milo
I developed a desire to see the Venus de milo because of an anime I had watched, I can no longer recall the name of the anime but story surrounded an artist desire to capture perfection he had seen in the Venus de milo. From there I desired to see the real thing and in some ways I wish she had remained out of reach because I was rather underwhelmed by her. However I still suggest you go see her as your experience may likely differ to mine.

Venus de milo, Louvre Museum, Paris, France

I believe the Mona Lisa and Venus de milo are victims of their own success, they are so well know and their images are used all over the world, that the power of the first encounter with a piece of art is severely diminished with them. I really do believe my experiences with the pieces would have been different if I knew nothing or had not see them before.

Other Pieces in the Museum
I had a great time in the Louvre discovering new pieces of art some of which are shown below.

Diane à la biche (Artemis with a Doe), Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Vénus et Vulcain, Louvre Museum, Paris, France — Venus et Vulcain, Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Saint Pierre pleurant devant la Vierge, dit aussi Les Larmes de saint Pierre, Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Sculpture Yangere, Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Easter Island Sculpture, Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Sculpture Fon, Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Sculpture, Kwakwaka'wakw, Louvre Museum, Paris, France — Sculpture, Kwakwaka’wakw, Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Sculpture Bamendou, Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Overall the Louvre Museum is a great place to visit, the vibe is electrifying the amount of creativity and history located in the museum vibrate of the walls. I could happily spend a whole week in the museum intoxicated in the creative and brilliance of man.

If you’ve enjoyed my review or not leave a comment.
Or if you want any advice for your trip drop leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.

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Tag: adventure

Eiffel Tower & Sacre-Coeur – Paris

Louvre Museum – Paris

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