The Pantheon around the corner from our hotel. It's not that old, but neo-classic architecture is always nice.
Plaza in front of the Pantheon. Typical strecth of Parisian houses/apartments.
Notre-Dame. There are a million shots of it because I kept stumbling upon it throughout the trip.
Front facade from the first night.
While we were standing there, the lights came on so I dashed back to take another picture.
The guy holding is head is St. Dennis. I had to take a picture for my boos, Dennis.
Saint Dennis!
Inside Notre-Dame. It's so hard for me to justify taking pictures of a religious symbol, so I don't have many--especially during a service.
Tall ceilings.
A pretty governmental building.
There's a river that runs through Paris, so we're always crossing bridges. Notre-Dame is on the otherside of this bridge on the island (Ile de la Cite)
The Mayor's Offices (or 'Hotel' as they say in French, though it's not a hotel in the english sense)
You can ice skate outside his place!
We loved this ad and saw it everywhere. Who'd use a lion to advertise for shampoo?
The Sorbanne is on the left. First French university and perhaps the first in Europe (still a touchy/debated topic today).
I love markets! Everyday of the week there were stalls set up and even the crappier, convenience-type places had fresh produce displayed.
See, the stalls go all the way down this street. Seafood, cheese, produce, meat, wine, bread, pastries--each has it's own shop.
Instead of renting cars, you can rent these bikes like Philly Car Share! Just wave your card and wah-la.
Bikes, motos, and scooters are very popular here.
Another view of Notre-Dame. Facade is on the left.
It's right next to the river. The island is tiny.
More French houses.
Outside the hotel (green door o nthe left). On the right is the other side of the Sorbanne University.
Inside the Sorbanne for our tour...it was in French and exceptionally long.
On the staircase there are gold emblems representing all the provinces in France.
Alternating with the provinces is this image of knowledge coming right from the hands of God. The star is not a Muslim thing, either.
Inside the most famous amphithetre, preserved from the initial construction of the building and through all the renovations they have done.
My attempt at a panaramic shot.
If there is a famous lecturer or a debate (like planning for the Olympics, I think he mentioned), then it's done here. But otherwise students never see this room so we were given a special treat to be here.
Note that there are no desks in the hall and there are hard benches--that's becase they didn't want students to fall asleep.
Mr. Sorbanne.
Where you would defend your thesis. Another off-limits room. We wanted to see classrooms, but they wouldn't let us.
Plaza inside the Sorbanne. It's also the initial place the university was built. It was just one house back then and now it's brick pavement,
The Louvre.
Government building on the otherside of the river from the Louvre.
Insdie the main plaza. I took a picture from the top window that you will see if you keep clicking through.
The building is still the Louvre and the pyramids were additions underneat the plaza to give the museum more space for art by moving all the tickets and stuff underground.
Looking through a pyramid outside.
Looking through it on the inside. Down here there is a whole new world--Metro stop, shops, restaurants, ticket booths, elevators, auditoriums, post office--you name it.
The window I was telling you about. Fountain is just below me.
It's massive. so we were there til dusk I didn't like how overwhelming it was.
I caught the moon and the top of the Carousel arch.
Bad shot of the Carousel. I was trying to keep moving--it was cold!
Stilll the Carousel but I was intrigued by the shadows of the people standing there.
You'd never believe this was at night only a few seconds after the Carousel ones. The camera can surely deceive!
Walking through the Jardin de Tuileries to the Arch de Triumpe and the tower is L'obelisque.
L'obelisque
Arch de Triumphe. Yes I'm in the middle of the street. It's a crosswalk, don't worry.
No title needed. On the hour it 'sparkles' and the spotlight is always going, making for some interesting pictures.
View from the very top. There are three levels. Of course, you take the elevator up--the main reason why the French showcased it for the World Fair in 1898 (I think).
Arch de Triumphe from above. The spindle is evidence of lots of city planning.
Sparkling lights--view from the second level.
Notre-Dame from the backside.
Bastille. I went on a walk in the morning. More water!
Another market!
Sorbanne from the other end.
This was a complete accident, but I really live it. It's Sacre Coeur.
Proper shot of the back side of Sacre Coeur. No one was here.
Gargoyle!
But on the front side, everyone was here. It reminded me of the Mirador of Colon in Granada.
Pigeons on the hill I went down to get a few pictures. And of course had to climb back up.
Montmatre has lots of (touristy) side streets leading up to Sacre-Coeur.
Eiffle from the hill on Sacre-Coeur.
I played with car windows for a bit because the light was just right for it.
This is one of the few Moulin Rouge windmills still around.
I had to take a picture.
There was this art plaza where you could get charactures and cheap paintings tucked behind the basilica. This is one of the streets just off it.
Inside the Musee d'Orsay. I liked this place better than the Louvre.
That is Sacre-Coeur in the background.
The Orsay was a train station until not too long ago. Now it has really cool architecture AND art from 1890s-1914.
Walking past Notre-Dame again and we saw a pigeon man...
Observe flying butresses.
We visited the island connected to Ile de la Cite where ND is. I liked it. Lots of cute shops on Ile de San Louis (not related to our school name as all the French liked to think).
Inside the Pompideu.
outside the Pompideu. It was designed to look like the inside was on the outside and to be a place for kids to go late at night (open til 11pm most nights and longer in the summer). Those are the escalators dipping up and down.
Escalator in the Pompideu, Kind of like hamster tubes.
Inside it now.
Modern art is at the Pompideu.
Section of a painting.
These were for sale--500 something each!
See Eiffel in the corner? The official name of this buildign is the Inst. of France.
