Paris, you are one sophisticated beauty!
In search for an answer...What is it about this city? Paris is without doubt an architectural masterpiece. Uniformity is maintained diligently. Nothing messes the views. It is all about harmonious continuity. When the architecture changes, it’s internal or hidden away. Architectural styles blend in Paris beautifully.
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| Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine |
Still in search...What is it about this city? The place is flooded with people across the planet for good reasons. It’s gigantic, vast, and breathtaking. Remember, I am in search to answer that question what is it with Paris? Paris is grand in the truest sense. She makes other cities seem naive in comparison even though she is smaller than many others. The boulevards, the parks, the buildings and the monuments are seriously grown up. There is nothing dinky or cute or fragile or fake about Paris.
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| Pont de Bir-Hakeim |
Huge! I can keep looking at the intricacies of this work for days. After his victory at Austerlitz in 1805, the high point of the Grande Armée’s conquest of Europe, Napoleon told his soldiers: ‘You will return home through arches of triumph.’ True to his word they marched through the Arc de Triumph, the largest triumphal arch in the world.
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| Arc de Triomphe |
Just quietly enjoying the beauty of Arc de Triomph and the ‘activities’ 😜📷 around it.
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| Avenue des Champs-Élysées |
Mornings like this when streets are quiet in our neighborhood in Paris.
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| Rue Saint-Dominique |
What is it about this city? Most cities have cafes, but these cafes are different. Parisian cafes are as much about taking time to observe life as they are about coffee and croissants. Food made with love from freshest ingredients, presented and displayed with care.
Cafes let you soak it up, to sit facing the street, alongside each other, rather than face to face as we normally do. We all want to people watch and that’s what Paris lets us. People watching is a French sport and a national pastime.
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| Cafe lined unmarked round-a-bouts where traffic and pedestrians move uneventfully |
Refined gothic architecture at its finest. Even without the spire, it stands beautiful on Ile de la Cité surrounded by ever calm waters of the Seine.
The stone three-arch bridge, Pont Saint-Michel over the calm waters of Seine offers spectacular views of the old Latin Quarter on the left bank and Old Jewish Quarter on the right bank with Cathedral of Norte-Dame in the center.
See who has an Insta-wife 😜! These narrow streets are intriguing and lead to the most scrumptious alleys of north-of and south-of Mediterranean food stalls.
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| Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche |
Instead of walls it’s all marvelously laid out stained glass meant to frolic with light, your senses and in tribute to faith of millions. Built in the 13th century to house the Crown of Thorns.
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| Sainte-Chapelle de Paris |
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Sainte-Chapelle de Paris
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The 618 sq. meters of stained glass windows in the upper chapel show biblical scenes from both testaments. They depict 1,130 biblical figures.
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| Sainte-Chapelle de Paris |
Still in search...What is it about this city, The City of Lights, everyone loves. The Locals! They are fascinating. The Parisians are urban creatures who make no secret of their way of life. As travelers it is unusual to witness daily life first hand in most big cities but in Paris it’s possible. They are on the street buying bread, having their first coffee, walking their dogs, shopping for food, eating their lunch, gossiping with friends, exercising in the park.
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| They love outdoors. Hôtel des Invalides |
First a castle, then a prison during the revolution. The large and open long rows of columns and low vaults of Hall of Guards of medieval interior are quite neat to see.
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| Conciergerie |
The famous "inmate" Marie Antoinette spent her last hours here before she was guillotined during the ‘reign of terror’ during French Revolution.
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| La Conciergerie |
More insta-wife vibes 😉 just enough reverence to Marie Antoinette without glorifying her.
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| La Conciergerie. Holding on to his HistoPad to travel back in time. |
Three blocks of Little Jaffna. We stepped out of central Paris to visit our people in La Chapelle, fondly referred to as Little Jaffna. This unique cultural landscape in Paris’ 10th is due to the civil war in the 1980s when many Sri Lankans fled their motherland, landing in France. Today, an estimated 100 000 Sri Lankan Tamils live and work in France.
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| Little Jaffna |
Still in search...What is it about this city? Paris is aristocratic, elegant, sophisticated and poised. Paris can make people feel clumsy. Her refinement highlights unsophistication. This could be why some people like us are intimidated by Paris. It’s not intentional it's who they are, what Paris is about. Another is her style. Paris has a distinctive style. Her ability to merge the old with the new and the eclectic with the classic in unlike any other. It became even more evident to us with our visit to Palace of Versailles.
Breakfast reservation at Ore with direct access to Palace of Versailles 🤫 is one of the best $ decisions to avoid the long, real long lines, to enter the palace and to have a formal breakfast over-looking palace gardens.
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| Trying to improve their Instagram popularity... |
Hall of Mirrors 1678. The German Empire was declared here in 1871. The Treaty of Versailles, the peace document was signed to end the World War I by the Allied and associated powers and by Germany on June 28, 1919.
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| The Hall of Mirrors. Château de Versailles |
Unbelievable opulence! Must be seen to be believed.
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| Château de Versailles |
Of course a single level chapel was not enough 😅. These places are as much about the greed of the kings and the queens, they are about the artists of various vocations that brought visions to life. Can you smell the sweat, the blood, the tears?
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| Lower level of the chapel |
While visiting the palace we thought it was time to move from minimalist living to glitzy. Just checking out a front door for our home 😜
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| Château de Versailles |
There are monuments everywhere you look in Paris.
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| Pont au Change |
Such a lame picture of a fantastic work of art built to strengthen Franco-Russian relationships in the late 1800s
Still in search...What is it about this city? Paris is an artist’s dream, a photographer's fantasy, a writer’s inspiration but she is also very much a cultural haven for the people. Evening walks are the best in this city. Nothing obstructs a thing, even the construction that came after the industrial revolution.
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| Pont de la Concorde |
That conspiracy theory in Da Vinci Code...The Inverted Pyramid! Also the best way to avoid the lines and enter the Louvre with a time fix tix.
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| Pyramide inversée du Louvre |
Morning before a day at the Louvre 😜
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| Rue Saint Dominique |
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| Pyramide du Louvre |
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| Musée du Louvre |
The Louvre, originally a royal palace, now the world's largest museum. They say if you spent 60 seconds looking at each of the objects at the Louvre, going steadily for eight hours a day, it would take you 75 days to see them all. It is simply enormous. So we went in with small list of pieces we must see in addition to the most visited by everyone.
David and Goliath by Daniele da Volterra 1555...On a side note I think this is the first ever muscle shirt 😜
This was not on our list but it was fascinating to see a painting of an art gallery in a gallery of paintings.
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| Musée du Louvre |
Thank these two for their original interpretations of esteem work displayed here 😅
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| Musée du Louvre |
Her back is such a work of art too.
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| Venus de Milo, The Louvre |
When all the history and art start to blend together and saturate their brains they resort to child’s play. Hope these two are not escorted out 😬
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| Musée du Louvre |
Nike to the Greeks and Victoria to the Romans. The placement of this piece makes a huge difference in our perception of it. The detail of the soft fabric clinging on to her curves...👌🏽🥰 2nd century B.C.
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| La Victoire de Samothrace |
Another one from our list. The unofficial national painting of France -Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix 1830
The sphinx is a fabulous creature with the body of a lion and the head of a king. At least one of the SL politicians would love one of these if elected again I guess 😜. 2600 BC.
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| Great Sphinx of Tanis |
...And there was that famous lady too.
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| What is it with you lady? |
Views of Louvre from inside Louvre
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| Musée du Louvre from the second floor of Musée du Louvre. Humans for scale. |
This is an untouched picture taken from inside Louvre when the outside temperature was 90+ degrees.
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| Carrousel Du Louvre |
Louvre was a Royal Palace before a museum and it’s so ornate, beautiful, huge and grand every where you look -beyond its art, statues, and artifacts. Louvre from inside Louvre.
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| Musée du Louvre |
There are macarons and then there are classic single flavors at Ladurée laid out in a Belle Époque store. Perfection in a bite 😋 Perfect sight 😍
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| Ladurée |
Still in search...What is it about this city? The Food for the sweet tooth! The chocolates, candies, macarons and patisseries are sublime. The fruit paté, marzipan, glacé chestnuts are awe-inspiring.
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| L'Eclair de Génie. Honestly we didn’t like the SE Asian-style macarons and eclairs, though the eclairs were works of art. |
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| Pierre Hermé for more modern seasonal combined flavors |
Morning walks can’t get any better. Missing our walking buddy 🐶
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| Les Tuillerie |
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| Les Tuillerie |
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| Les Tuillerie |
Give me some simple basic ‘home’ 😋 When you have had too many fine French breakfasts, you crave for a simple idli or dosa with plain coconut chutney. For now this will have to do.
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| McDonald's Paris Louvre 1er |
A sight to behold! The Monet's eight water lily canvases, painted 1909-26, and donated by the artist, in their full panoramic splendor displayed in special elliptical rooms.
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| Musée de l'Orangerie |
The basement has the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection of impressionist and Ecole de Paris paintings, including original works by Matisse, Renoir, Derain, Rousseau and Soutine. Best 9€ you will ever spend in your life. If you are early, you have the place all to yourself too.
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| Musée de l'Orangerie |
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| Musée de l'Orangerie |
Still asking the question...What is it about this city? The Flowers! There are flower boutiques all over Paris, on every corner and the blooms were exquisite, so much prettier than the same flowers you have seen anywhere else. Also, Paris is lavish when it comes to flowers. Like many other things, Parisians don't skim on their arrangements with nonsensical fillers.
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| Retirement ideas? He loves flowers and foliage way more than I do. And it's a good thing! |
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a 272 feet Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris. It is a masterpiece of grace and grandeur. Built at the end of the 19th century in the Romano-Byzantine style. 300 head-spinning spiral steps up the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre for this view from inside the basilica. 😅💪🏽
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| View from Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre |
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| View from Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre |
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| View from Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre |
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| Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre |
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| Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre |
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| Outside details of Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre |
Near the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the twentieth, during the Belle Époque, many artists lived in, had studios, or worked in or around Montmartre, including Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Suzanne Valadon, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso.
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| Montmartre |
Glad we did the 300 narrow dark spiral steps up the dome. More than the stress on knees, the sight and other senses felt like they took time to adjust as we headed up. Going down was challenging because of fear of slipping. At this age it’s no fun hitting the back on solid rock. Yay, to mission accomplished.
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| Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre |
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| Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre |
There’s so much more about Montmartre than Basilica du Sacre-Coeur! Its narrow alleys, cobble stone streets, its little details, artists, artists' galleries, its soul are some of the things that make Montmartre so unique. A walk in Montmartre is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s a walk to remember.
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| La Bohème du Tertre |
All 300 artists are licensed by the City of Paris after they have proved artistic ability, and there is a 10 year waiting list for new artists to set up an easel here. All artwork must be original and painted by the resident artist—no reproductions or dealing of other art. So, yes, it’s street art, and it’s the real deal.
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| Place du Tertre |
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| Place du Tertre |
Dalí Paris exhibits over 300 artworks by Salvador Dalí from a private collection.
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| Dali Paris |
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| Needs only 8k-15k for a certified collector’s reproduction |
Also, it's very easy to navigate Paris using the metro. Google navigation system combined with a Navigo Pass is the best.
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| Concorde Metro Station |
Both of us couldn't eat even one more bite of this fine foods of France and needed some chili and spice (or some Mexican food-non existent here). We decided to go to Little Jaffna again in search of some soul food.
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| Little Jaffna -La Chapelle |
After looking at few places we narrowed down on Jaffna Cafe. I am not sure I will venture out to this area alone in the night because you rarely see a woman around. It’s not scary as in a threat to your safety like in some parts of LA or NY where druggies and homeless panhandle. It’s an unexpected vibe. Takes sometime to orient yourself to the rhythm of your people from back home. The big dark Tamilian was with me speaking a version of Tamil unfamiliar to Tamil spoken around here.
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| Jaffna Cafe |
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| Little Jaffna |
Note the sign between the street names. Hopes of liberation seem to be alive. My hope is my people here, look around, learn, pursue an education somehow and assimilate with the culture and people of their new home. Take the good, give your good back, make it better for the new home and for yourself.
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| Rue Louis Blanc |
Still in search? Starting to get it...What is it about this city? The Specialty Stores. Paris is all about the small boutique stores and the unique product. Helloooo China, this is your worst nightmare. There are many well known chain stores and designer boutiques but old-fashion shopping experience still rules.
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| E. Dehillerin |
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| Breakfast |
Much more relaxed second visit to Louvre in the night. On Wednesdays they are open till 9:30 pm and by early evening tour groups have left.
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| Musée du Louvre |
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| This woman is apparently breastfeeding her father sentenced to death by starvation. Musée du Louvre |
One of the deserted areas of the Louvre. The Early Islamic Art. The wealth and breath of artistic creativity of Islamic lands and people of Arabia that emerged in 7th century.
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| Pyxis of al-Mughira. Ivory carved container made in the year 357. |
Islamic art is represented by calligraphy, architecture and furnishings of religious buildings, such as mosque lamps and Girih tiles, woodwork and carpets. Islamic art is relatively free of visual imagery compared to Christian art.
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| Musée du Louvre |
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| Musée du Louvre |
The foundations of the original fortress and royal palace that’s Louvre today. This section is what was once the watery moat.
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| Pavillon de l’Horloge |
Isn’t this woman way more beautiful than ML? Woman from Antinoopolis, Egypt -fourth and fifth centuries.
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| Musée du Louvre |
The Code of Hammurabi was one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes, proclaimed by the Babylonian king Hammurabi, who reigned from 1792 to 1750 B.C. The Code of Hammurabi includes many harsh punishments, sometimes demanding the removal of the guilty party's tongue, hands, breasts, eye or ear. But the code is also one of the earliest examples of an accused person being considered innocent until proven guilty.
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| The Hammurabi Code |
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| A close look at The Hammurabi Code |
Paris is fashion! It’s not what they wear. It’s HOW they wear it. Simple, sometimes not so simple, forms and the combinations. The elderly women, so classy! I can watch them all day. They are my favorites. They are not afraid of fashion. They stay in the decade, they are not frumpy and clumsy. Their hair, especially the eyeglasses, their accessories are the latest but their basics are classic! They are fearless confident fashionistas.
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| Galeria la Fayette...Just go see even if you don't buy anything |
A whole bunch of Sri Lankans work here at this restaurant with a very cool neo-classical decor and it was easy to communicate Giri’s peculiar food needs.
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| L Imperial Rivoli |
Paris we get it! You are amazing. Our love for you is complex, respectful, deep, and long lasting. Until next time...
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| ...We are leaving our 'heart' with you. |
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| L . O . V . E |
Hope to return many more times to get to know you better.
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