France 2k3

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Rue de Rivoli Rue de Rivoli in the Morning.

Egyptian Light Street Light at Place de la Concorde.

The Egyptian Obelisk at Place de la Concorde, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.<br />The Obelisk stands where Marie Antoinette was guilliotined during the French Revolution in 1789.

Parisian Vista The Egyptian Obelisk at Place de la Concorde, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The Obelisk stands where Marie Antoinette was guilliotined during the French Revolution in 1789.

A triumphal arch located at the western end of the Louvre.<br />Beyond is the Obelisk at Place de la Concorde, the Avenue Champs Élysées, and the Arche de Triomphe.

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel A triumphal arch located at the western end of the Louvre. Beyond is the Obelisk at Place de la Concorde, the Avenue Champs Élysées, and the Arche de Triomphe.

The pyramidial entrace to the Louvre museum was designed by famed American architect I.M. Pei.<br />It was an innovative solution to accomodate crowds entering and leaving the museum while also creating an area bathed in light.

Louvre Pyramid The pyramidial entrace to the Louvre museum was designed by famed American architect I.M. Pei. It was an innovative solution to accomodate crowds entering and leaving the museum while also creating an area bathed in light.

Pavillon Richelieu Detail of the northern wing of the Louvre Museum.

L'Ilot Vache A restaurant on the Isle St. Louis. Mike Scalora and I ate here with Chris Treadwell during EuroFest '90.

Rose Window One of the rose windows in Nôtre Dame Cathedral.

Cathedral Windows Upper stained-glass windows along the ambulatory.

Conciergerie

One of the original Art Nouveau Metro Stations, from the late 1800's.<br />This is the closest station to Nôtre Dame.<br />A flower market is visible behind the station.

Bouche de Métro One of the original Art Nouveau Metro Stations, from the late 1800's. This is the closest station to Nôtre Dame. A flower market is visible behind the station.

Gargoyle A gargoyle on the parapet of Nôtre Dame. Sacré Cœur is on the hill in the distance.

Museum Interior This is the central gallery of the Orsay Museum. This museum was formerly a train station.

Poppies Poppies; Near Argenteuil, France Claude Monet, 1873

I took this picture because this painting had a major role in the movie 'Mr. Bean'.<br />Barrett Edgington told me once that he thinks I look like him.

Whistler's Mother I took this picture because this painting had a major role in the movie 'Mr. Bean'. Barrett Edgington told me once that he thinks I look like him.

Bridge at Argenteuil The Bridge at Argenteuil by Claude Monet.

The Ball Ball at the Moulin de la Galette, Montmartre Auguste Renoir, 1876

Porte St. Denis The Porte St. Denis, early in the morning. The Porte St. Denis was commissioned by Louis XIV to commemorate his military victories.

Old print of the Port St. Denis.<br />Symbolically marking an entrance into 17th-century Paris at the site of an old toll gate, this triumphal arch served only an ornamental function.<br />The sculptures and bas-reliefs celebrate the King as a head of war.

Porte St. Denis, 1875 Old print of the Port St. Denis. Symbolically marking an entrance into 17th-century Paris at the site of an old toll gate, this triumphal arch served only an ornamental function. The sculptures and bas-reliefs celebrate the King as a head of war.

France's answer to the Volkswagen Beetle. The 2cv (Deux-Cheveaux) is a cheaply-constructed, utilitarian automobile.<br />You never see them in the US; they would never pass the safety inspections.

Citröen 2cv France's answer to the Volkswagen Beetle. The 2cv (Deux-Cheveaux) is a cheaply-constructed, utilitarian automobile. You never see them in the US; they would never pass the safety inspections.

This is the café in the movie Amélie; the main character works here.<br />It is on the corner of Rue Lepic and Rue Cauchois, a block north of the Moulin Rouge.

Café des 2 Moulins This is the café in the movie Amélie; the main character works here. It is on the corner of Rue Lepic and Rue Cauchois, a block north of the Moulin Rouge.

Moulin Rouge The famous Moulin Rouge, in Montmartre.

Art Nouveau Entrance This is one of the last remaining Art Nouveau Metro entrances. This one is located at Porte Dauphine, on the west side of Paris.

Parisian Façade A typical Paris building, with elaborate iron grillwork. This example is on the west side of the city.

The Musée Brignole-Galliera is devoted to costumes and fashion.<br />Unfortunately, we didn't see it. They were currently hosting a retrospective for a famous Vogue photographer.

Galliera Museum The Musée Brignole-Galliera is devoted to costumes and fashion. Unfortunately, we didn't see it. They were currently hosting a retrospective for a famous Vogue photographer.

Building Façade Another example of French architecture. Note the mansard roof, pedimented windows, ironwork and contrasting brick and stone.

Building Detail Detail of a building, showing the pediment over one of the windows and ironwork beneath another one.

Versailles Courtyard The courtyard in front of the Château de Versailles.

Versailles Courtyard Inner courtyard at the Palace of Versailles.

Detail of the gate at then entrance to the Château de Versailles.<br />The face surrounded by the sunburst represents King Louis XIV, the Sun King, who built this Castle.

Gate Detail Detail of the gate at then entrance to the Château de Versailles. The face surrounded by the sunburst represents King Louis XIV, the Sun King, who built this Castle.

Royal Crest Crest over the entrance gate to the palace.

Door Detail Detail of a door inside the Château de Versailles.

Chapel in Versailles The nave and altar of the royal chapel at Versailles Castle.

Door detail in the Château de Versailles.<br />The face surrounded by the sunburst represents King Louis XIV, the Sun King, who built the Castle.

Door Detail Door detail in the Château de Versailles. The face surrounded by the sunburst represents King Louis XIV, the Sun King, who built the Castle.

Chandelier A crystal chandelier in the Château de Versailles.

The Hall of Mirrors is the biggest room in the Versailles palace. It owes its name to the 17 mirrors facing the 17 windows and reflecting the gardens (to the right of the picture).<br />Used in the 17th century for royal celebrations, the Hall of Mirrors saw the 1871 proclamation of the German empire by Otto van Bismarck and the 1918 signature of the Versailles treaty which ended World War I.

Hall of Mirrors The Hall of Mirrors is the biggest room in the Versailles palace. It owes its name to the 17 mirrors facing the 17 windows and reflecting the gardens (to the right of the picture). Used in the 17th century for royal celebrations, the Hall of Mirrors saw the 1871 proclamation of the German empire by Otto van Bismarck and the 1918 signature of the Versailles treaty which ended World War I.

Hall of Busts A hallway in the Château de Versailles.

Neptune Statue of Neptune, in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.

Horse Ride Horse-drawn wagon, which carries tourists to the far-flung areas of the palace grounds at Versailles.

The Hamlet Marie Antoinette's Hamlet in Versailles.

The Hamlet Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet in Versailles. Here is where she would fantasize herself a peasant with perfumed lambs.

Lighthouse A lighthouse on the grounds of the palace of Versailles.

Water Wheel A water wheel at the Hamlet in Versailles.

Petit Trianon The smaller Trianon palace on the grounds of Versailles.

Gate Detail Detail of a gate at the Grand Trianon, at the Palace of Versailles.

Table Detail Detail of a table at the Grand Trianon at the Palace of Versailles.

Columns, Grand Trianon Columnade at the Grand Trianon, at the Palace of Versailles.

Candlestick Detail Detail of a candlestick on a fireplace mantle at the Grand Trianon.

Drawing Room One of the rooms in the Grand Trianon.

Corridor This corridor has a creaky wooden floor, some panels would sag down when you step on them.

Grand Trianon Grand Tranon Collumnade

Wedding Photos A French couple poses for wedding photos at the Grand Trianon.

Sacré Cœur The Basilica of Sacré Cœur at night.

A restaurant at Place du Tertre.<br />In the summer, the empty plaza in front of the restaurant is filled with additional seating for the restaurant.

Chez Eugene A restaurant at Place du Tertre. In the summer, the empty plaza in front of the restaurant is filled with additional seating for the restaurant.

Crêperie A Restaurant and Crêperie on the Place du Tertre. Matt and I had a great meal here.

These drinking fountains (there are 50 in all) were given to the city by an Englishman as a gift in the late 1800’s.<br />These Wallace Fountains are small, cast-iron “temples of four goddesses” (Simplicity, Temperance, Charity, and Goodness) with steady streams of water.

Drinking Fountain These drinking fountains (there are 50 in all) were given to the city by an Englishman as a gift in the late 1800’s. These Wallace Fountains are small, cast-iron “temples of four goddesses” (Simplicity, Temperance, Charity, and Goodness) with steady streams of water.

Chartres Cathedral The Cathedral looms over the city of Chartres.

The Façade of Chartres Cathedral.<br /><br />The left tower was built in 1160, the right in 1513 after the Gothic style caught on. The Rose window (center) was built in the 13th century.

Chartres Façade The Façade of Chartres Cathedral. The left tower was built in 1160, the right in 1513 after the Gothic style caught on. The Rose window (center) was built in the 13th century.

Astronomical Clock This clock is located on the North side of Chartres Cathedral.

Post Office This is the main post office (PTT) in Chartres.

Approaching Chambord The Château de Chambord has 365 chimneys. See if you can count them all!

This double helix staircase was reputedly designed by Leonardo da Vinci.<br />People can ascend and descend the stairs without seeing one another.

Helix Staircase This double helix staircase was reputedly designed by Leonardo da Vinci. People can ascend and descend the stairs without seeing one another.

Ceiling Detail Detail of a barrel-vaulted roof in Chambord. Visible are the emblem and Initial of King François I, who commissioned the castle.

Chambord Window Sunlight streams through a window at the top of Chambord's central staircase.

Column Cherubs Detail of a column on top of Chambord. The small black ovals at the top are carved slate.

Gary at Chambord I took this photo to go along with a nearly-identical one I took of me in the exact same spot nine years earlier.

Whimiscal Drainpipe The bottom of one of the drainpipes on the roof of the Château de Chambord.

Fun Candelabras Some claim these candlesticks are goulish and belong in Disney’s Haunted Mansion. I think they're whimsical.

Door Sunburst A door detail showing a face in a sunburst. My GU (Gary University) education tells me it refers to the King.

The Moat The moat directly in front of the Château of Chambord.

Chambord View of the Château de Chambord.

Private Drive This appears to be a newly-built château, located at the end of this private drive near Cheverny.

Château de Cheverny This castle has a hunting flavor, and is privately owned. The owners live on the top floor, but you can tour the rest of it.

Château de Chissay This is a castle-hotel, which you can stay in. We've tried to stay here several times, but it hasn't worked out.

Château de Beaulieu The château-hotel that Matt & I stayed in, just west of Tours.

Cool Castle This castle is just east of Villandry, near Savonnières. It now houses the offices of an insurance company.

Villandry Sign This way to Villandry!

The dining room in Villandry Château. We skipped the interior of this castle the first time we visit, based on advice from the guidebooks.<br />While not ancient, the interiors are nonetheless beautiful, and I would recommend them.

Dining Room The dining room in Villandry Château. We skipped the interior of this castle the first time we visit, based on advice from the guidebooks. While not ancient, the interiors are nonetheless beautiful, and I would recommend them.

Place Setting A place setting on the dining room table.

Turreted Staircase This is the roof of the old tower of the castle.

Gary at Villandry View overlooking the gardens.

Castle and Gardens

Stone Flowers A stone vase of flowers.

Ornamental Shrubs Shaped ornamental shrubs in the gardens.

Decorative Posts A pair of decorative fence posts framing the gardens and Romanesque Church.

Gary at Villandry Picture of me at Villandry Gardens.

Château d'Azay le Rideau One of France's best-known castles.

Surprisingly, this family Chateau was built in 1910 by the grandfather of the present owner.<br />This château-hotel was designed to be a hunting lodge.

Le Gerfaut Surprisingly, this family Chateau was built in 1910 by the grandfather of the present owner. This château-hotel was designed to be a hunting lodge.

Fontenay Manor An old sign for Fontenay Manor.

Château de Fontenay Vinyard and Fontenay Manor.

Fontenay Manor This is a manor that we spotted while driving. Hidden treasures are everywhere in the Loire Valley!

View from Turret There's a really neat walkway along & inside the top of the castle wall (like the one at Pierrefonds).

Doorway

Tile Floor Detail Detail of one of the floors in Langeais castle.

This diorama re-enacts the marriage of Anne of Brittany in this castle in 1491.<br />It’s an interesting story.<br />(see <a href="http://www.jack-travel.com/Loire/html/Langeais.htm">here</a> for more info)

Marriage of Anne of Brittany This diorama re-enacts the marriage of Anne of Brittany in this castle in 1491. It’s an interesting story. (see <a href="http://www.jack-travel.com/Loire/html/Langeais.htm">here</a> for more info)

Courtyard Decorative garden behind the castle.

Langeais Castle

Manhole Cover I liked the pattern of this manhole cover, on the road next to the castle.

Château des Réaux Entrance Another château-hotel.

Château des Réaux This is a Château-Hôtel that's been on my short list for some time.

A cool-looking castle, this one is illustrated in the famous “Très Riches Heures” a book of hours for the Duke of Berry. The courtyard is interesting, but the guided tour of the interior is not worth your time.

Château de Montgeoffroy The Château de Montgeoffroy appears at the end of this long driveway flanked by trees.

Château de Montgeoffroy This privately-owned château is open for tours in the summer.

Mont St. Michel Viewed from the causeway, Mont St. Michel seems to float above the tidal flats in Normany, France.

The Mount at Night

Sunrise The sun rises over the estuary surrounding Mont St. Michel. Photo taken from the window of our hotel room.

Worn Cross A weather-worn crucifix in a small cemetary at the base of Mont St. Michel.

Stained glass window in the church at the bottom of Mont St. Michel.<br />To me, it looks like a picture of St. George fighting a dragon, along with Mary and Baby Jesus.

Stained Glass Stained glass window in the church at the bottom of Mont St. Michel. To me, it looks like a picture of St. George fighting a dragon, along with Mary and Baby Jesus.

Abbey Church The apse in the Church in the Abbey of Mont St. Michel.

Ribbed Columns Ribbed columns and groin vaults in the ambulatory of the church in the abbey.

Carved Detail This carving is on the wall of the transept in the Abbey church.

Double Columns Double row of columns in the Cloister of the Benedictine abbey.

Abandoned Château An abandoned manor near Villy-Bocage.

Row of Urns An abandoned manor near Villy-Bocage.

American Cemetery

Espaliered Trees

Pierrefonds A pastoral Pierrefonds in the quiet of the morning.

Castle Top The turrets of Pierrefonds castle peek out of the trees at the edge of a field.

Stone Face Carved face on the Château de Jonval (a Vacation Center).

Casle Entrance Entrance to Pierrefonds Château.

Lizard Drainpipe Whimsical drainpipe in the form of a lizard in the courtyard at Pierrefonds.

Griffin A decorative building ornament on exhibit in the castle of Pierrefonds.

Rooster The rooster is a symbol of France. This decorative building ornament is on exhibit in the castle of Pierrefonds.

Angel with Shield One of the carvings in the arcade along the inner courtyard of Pierrefonds.

Blacksmith One of the carvings in the arcade along the inner courtyard of Pierrefonds.

Frog One of the carvings in the arcade along the inner courtyard of Pierrefonds.

Griffin One of the carvings in the arcade along the inner courtyard of Pierrefonds.

Harvester One of the carvings in the arcade along the inner courtyard of Pierrefonds.

Vintner One of the carvings in the arcade along the inner courtyard of Pierrefonds.

Dragon One of the carvings in the arcade along the inner courtyard of Pierrefonds.

Strange Beasts One of the carvings in the arcade along the inner courtyard of Pierrefonds.

Morning Mist A view of Pierrefonds castle early in the morning.