Today is Paris outing day, a city which is deeply romanticized. When I think of Paris, I think of fashion, perfume, art, of exquisite nature, beyond my reach. Now, I get to see this city first hand on what it really is.
Mood dampener alert:
Here again we were warned of massive traffic jams and pick pocketers. What is on your back (your backpack or backpocket) is not yours, we were told. That worried me. I planned to stay close to the group.
Paris is 10 km wide on either side of Seinne river and is designated as Right Bank and Left Bank.
Our first stop was the Eiffel tower. A massive expanse of wrought iron lattice work standing at 300 meters height. It had an observatory which added another 30 meters. Even before we got off in front of it, I could see it playing hide and seek beyond buildings as we moved through the city.
We had to traverse through long snaky security and ticketing lines before we could make it to the elevators which took us to the second floor for a view of the city of Paris. It took us about 1.5 hours in total which we were told is way less than 4-5 hours it usually takes. So lucky us! Like everywhere else, Indian tourists outnumbered every other country.
We got a glimpse of the Paris city, its old and new buildings, the church spires, the cathedrals and the modern glass facades. I had been to topmost floors of One World Trade Center in New York and some other tall buildings and it was a similar experience, except that this is Paris, where folks come for the romanticism of old times blending with the new, with the city limits falling off our view in the distant horizon.
After coming off Eiffel tower, it was time for a city tour.
The first prominent structure was the Arc de Triomphe which honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Only the victories are mentioned though. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WW1. It is a symbolic gesture in honor of all the unidentified soldiers who had died fighting for France. Earlier this Arc was the site for military marches and victory parade, but after this interment, any kind of military victory parades have been avoided through the arc.
We also witnessed placing of a wreath and the rekindling of the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This takes place at 6:30 pm every evening since 1923. This is performed by one of the veterans’ associations and on that day, few school children were leading the march carrying wreaths.
It has a marked resemblance to our own India Gate and we were told ours is a copy. Well, we inherited that from our colonial days so maybe it is. We stood near the Arc admiring its structure, though we were deterred by the chaotic traffic around, to move freely.
The Arc is on the western end of Champs-Elysees, which is the 1.9 km long famous avenue lined by cafes, theaters and outlets of leading, luxurious fashion brands. I had heard of this street so much, and here it is, but can I be bold enough to enter any of these luxury stores? Only movie stars go in, is what we are told. I had a different mental image of a gorgeous, extravagant, full of pomp and show about this place. While it is gorgeous, it still had that feel of an old world charm but wearing todays fashionable trends.
On the other end of this avenue is the Obelisk of Luxor, at the center of the Place de la Concorde. This Obelisk was an official gift from Ottoman Egypt in 1830 although the French had tried to bring it over since their Egyptian conquest. The site selected for its re-erection was where the guillotine of King Louis XVI and Mary Antoinette had taken place. The obelisk glittered in the sunshine proudly emanating its Egyptian inheritance, amongst all the curvy shaped, with its linear precision.
Closeby is the Jardin des Champs-Élysées, a public park with the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais across. Both the Palaces are centers of exhibition halls and museums depicting French republican glory in art and culture. There are numerous museums in the city, perhaps just museums, monuments and galleries. Apartment blocks were few, most lived in the suburbs. Affordability is the chief factor.
We were soon crossing Les Invalides which is a complex of buildings containing museums (yes again!) and monuments on military history of France. The main section is a hospital for injured warriors and a retirement home for war veterans and thus the name. It was commissioned by Louis XIV in 17th century. The complex also has Dôme des Invalides, the tallest church building in Paris at a height of 107 meters, with a glittering dome you can spy from a distance. It is the final resting place of Napolean and few of his family members.
The Champs Elysees area is connected to the Invalides section through the Alexandre Pont bridge which is an ornate, arch bridge spanning Seinne. It has winged horses, nymphs and cherubs and was built by Nicholas II, after the Franco-Russian alliance. It is one of the many bridges joining Right and Left Banks but perhaps the only ornate one.
The church of St Marie Madeleine stands at a focal point surrounded on all four sides by columns in the Corinthian style. It looked desolate perhaps trying to retain the image of repentance and shunning all glory.
We stopped by Colonne Vendomme. This column was built by Napolean to commemorate the victory of Austerlitz. It is believed to be built from the bronze plates of the captured canons. Its green body was in stark contrast to the grey and beige colored buildings around.
The Paris Opera House or Palais Garnier stood majestically in one corner but it was covered up as it is going through massive restoration.
Louvre museum was not to be missed and is known the world over as the National Center of art and culture and yes, hosts Monalisa. To spend time within the museum would mean staying in Paris for months, so we satisfied ourselves by looking at the inverted pyramid.
I caught a glimpse of Notre-Dame cathedral from the Eiffel tower, a medieval Catholic cathedral dedicated to Virgin Mary and is an example of French Gothic architecture.
The last thing on our list was to see the illuminated and sparkling Eiffel Tower in the evening. We reached Trocadero on time for the sight. Trocadero is a place across the Seinne from the Eiffel Tower. At 10 pm, 11 pm and 12 am, it sizzles and is a sight to behold. We were there to see the view at 11pm.
Well the day after is our departure, so we took full advantage of our Paris tour and night views before ending our day.
On the day of our departure, we had a choice to visit the city again. I had Seinne river cruise and a visit to the Louvre in my bucket list. But didn’t venture out, because of the traffic jams and reputation of mugging and thuggery. Instead spent some time at Aeroville, a mall near the airport. The mall had major international and local brands not much different than what we have in India. I was accosted by a lady who wanted to find out whether I am happy in life. Instantly on my guard, I told her politely that I do not need her help.
This trip had been rewarding, rejuvenating and educational for me.
Looking back at the Europe trip, I would rate the Alpine mountain experience the highest and very bewitching and quite different from any I have had so far. I would want to go back to those mountains or similar ones anywhere in the world and spend some more time.
I have visited all the tourist spots of these European countries, but what remains to be done is to go back and spend some quality time savoring the art, culture and cuisines of the places.
Till that time …. !
TheEbbandFlow 