Chamonix, France

In January I was lucky enough to travel to Chamonix, France.  This place is simply incredible.  The terrain is about as dramatic as I have seen anywhere.  I could write an essay on why this place is amazing but I’ll save you the task of reading it and let you do your own analysis through these pictures.

Le poste final de Paris

Sunset from the Eiffel Tower

I won’t write too much about Paris in this post as I feel I have already written enough about the city for this trip in my posts; ‘Paris est à venir’, ‘Paris est Belle’ & ‘A building or two in Paris’.   Most of the photos in this post are either (obviously) of the Eiffel Tower or taken from the ‘Tower’.

The Eiffel Tower is definitely one of the most visited attractions in the world.  In it’s time it has had over 250 million visitors.  It was built in 1889 and stands at 324 metres (1063 ft) tall.  It was also the tallest man-made structure in the world for 41 years.  It is certainly an impressive sight.

Sacré Cœur de Basilica

As well as being blessed with an outrageously strong wind at the top of the tower, we were also graced with stunning sunset.  I attempted to capture it, although sunsets are one of my weak areas.  If anyone has any advice feel free to let me know!

Finally, after we had visited the Eiffel Tower, it was on to the Arc de Triomphe, another one of the more famous sights in Paris.

 

Paris est belle!

Looking over the city from Sacre Coeur

As it transpires, I took an overwhelming amount of photos while wandering the streets of Paris.  As I work my way through them, I now realise that it must have really tested the patience of my girlfriend’s family (thanks guys).

I have decided to break the post up into two.  I just had way too many photos to put into one post.  The first consists of photos from around the city with a lot taken near Sacré-Cœur.  The second will primarily focus on the Eiffel Tower with a couple of shots of the Arc de Triomphe as well.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Sacré-Cœur Basilica, commonly know simply as Sacré-Cœur is an incredible Roman Catholic church situated at the top of Montmarte.   Construction began in 1875 however it wasn’t completed until 1914.

Guarding the entrances to the church two impressive equestrian figures representing King Saint Louis and Saint Joan of Arc.

Saint Joan of Arc

King Saint Louis

Saint Joan of Arc

On Montmarte, leading up to Sacré-Cœur, is a really cool square with several artists peddling their work.  The artwork includes portraits of nearly any style, cityscapes and attractions just to name a few.

Artist working to a great backdrop

Ahhh…the music of Paris!!

Eventually we ventured towards another very famous building.  Along the way we came across a cool collection of fountains.

Next to the fountains was an impressive bit of artwork.

There is certainly no shortage of impressive buildings, statues, windmills and of course quirky buskers.

Bird feeding buskers at Notre Dame

 

One of the most famous buildings in Paris is definitely Notre Dame de Paris or Notre Dame Cathedral.  Translated as ‘Our Lady of Paris’, this incredible building is situated on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris.

Completed in 1345, it is 69 metres (226ft) tall at the towers with it’s spire;

reaching 90 metres (300ft).  A supreme example of French Gothic architecture, it took almost 200 years to erect.  It’s almost impossible to walk around this building an not be overcome with awe.

Simply incredible.

 

A building or two in Paris

Paris is a truly incredible city in many ways, as I am sure everyone will know if they have been there.  So much old architecture still standing.  Nearly every street I walked down had an impressive building of some sort.  Of course there are the many famous ones that define the Paris cityscape.

One of my favourite buildings out there!

What impressed me however, was that even the apartment blocks and regular buildings were incredible.  From the doors,

to the windows with their gardens,

to the amazing brick buildings and all the chimney stacks,

to the practical corner buildings,

to the curved streets

and the straight,

it’s hard not to love this place.