Paris Bus Tour Pictures

 

Laura at the Eiffel Tower during the first stop of our bus tour through the city of Paris.

 

The statue above is of George Washington.  Throughout Paris, there are many statues of and streets named for US presidents including Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Kennedy.

 

The Arc de Triomphe is a monument built in honor of soldiers who dies in wars defending France.  The tomb of an unknown soldier is located at the base of the arches.

 

Napoleon wanted everyone that viewed the monument to be in awe of his successes as well.  Carved on the interior of the arches are the locations of the battles in which Napoleon's armies were victorious.

 

One of the major boulevards through the city of Paris is the Champs Elysees where city workers were preparing for the Bastille Day parade that would take place a few days later.  Flags lined either side of the street as well as bleachers for those invited to view the parade.

 

The royal palace that was the home of the kings of France before the construction of the Palace of Versailles.  It was also where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned prior to her execution.  The palace was located at the base of the one of the 36 bridges that cross the Seine River in Paris. 

 

The Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris was completed 850 years ago.

 

The famous rose stain glass windows are located on three sides of the cathedral.

 

The day was so warm that they even opened sections of the stain glass windows - look to the left.

 

Often, the cathedral could be well enough lit through the large windows, but there are chandeliers sprinkled throughout the main corridors of the cathedral.  They are now wired with electricity. 

 

The large doors at the entrance are more than two times taller than I am.  They are very thick and the filigree design is iron.

 

There was a great line with many people waiting to enter the cathedral.

 

Laura is patiently waiting for me to get my pictures while holding my bags - again!

 

Details of the exterior sculptures - all done by hand.  During the French Revolution, the heads of many of the saints were broken off because they were believed to represent the nobles and kings.  After the revolution, they were repaired.

 

The cathedral is next the Seine River.

 

The granite Egyptian Obelisk of Luxor is located in the Place de la Concorde at the base of the Champs Elysees which is the largest public market square in Paris.

 

When we began cruising out of the city of Paris, we passed the Eiffel Tower as well as a replica of the Statue of Liberty.  The replica faces west toward the Statue of Liberty in New York City.  It is about a tenth of the size of the original and made from copper.