Da Vinci's mischievous Mona Lisa. I wonder why people say it's hard to get near her when we managed to do it quite easily. No big deal but snapped some shots nevertheless!
Was walking towards Champs Elysee, when we chanced upon Princess Diana's memorial. It was at the underground tunnel where her car crashed. Lots of flowers surrounding the memorial. This year marks her 10th death anniversary. A pity that a young beautiful lady like her died so young.
Arc de Triomphe, standing in the centre of Places Charles de Gaulle, smack in the middle of one of the largest roundabouts in the world. It was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon to comemorate his victories before he started losing battles and then entire wars, and wasn't completed until 1836. Also, a body of an unknown soldier from WWI has lain beneath the arch as shown below. There would be a memorial flame rekindled each evening around 6:30pm.
Met up with Songjie, and we went up the hill of MontMarte, where the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur sits on. Also Montmartre is apparent the place that attracted numerous artists including Picasso! View was very beautiful, where all the lights of Paris come on.
View from the top of MontMartre
Our very fantastic dinner once again, at Ordeon. There were dancing too! It was only then I knew smashing plates are a way for the French to mark a good performance and happy occassion.
On the metro back to the city centre
Eiffel at night. Beautiful, but I wasn't very amazed by the sparkles like how Mich did though. haha. Some historical facts: Built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle World Fair. Nearly torn down in 1909 but fortunately not! Imagine how much money the Eiffel earns from tourist every year for Paris.
At a bridge with Notre Dame, the French Gothic masterpiece and the focus of Catholic Paris for seven centuries. Begun in 1163 and largely completed by middle of 14th century, in the background.
The Grand Palais of Paris. There was a long queue if you want to get in the building! Apparently, some exibition going on but we realise the crowd was rather ... old, so we gave it a miss.
Hotel Des Invalides // Built in the 1670s by Louis XIV to provide housing for 4000 disabled war veterans. Quite interesting walking through the World War era and to when France finally attained peace.
The Tomb of Napoleon. Guess how many people laid in the tomb.
Last day @ Versailles// Thanks to the crowd, we nearly missed our flight. However, the trip there was worth it as we get to see another glorious landscaped garden (I prefer Luxembourg though). This is France grandest chateau and was the kingdoms political capital and royal court for more than a century from 1682 to 1789 when Revolutionary mobs massacred the palace guard and dragged King Louis and Marie Antoinette to Paris where they eventually got their heads chopped! Gosh, the place is really huge with cute cone trees! The interior was just very usual palace-cy.
Some of my favourite pictures before I sign off. Thank god we didn't miss our flight and not affected by the strike which they had on our departure date! *phew*
//Outside the Royal Palais, near Champ ELYSEES.
Jardin du Luxembourg. Goodness heavenly place to chill and relax. Love at first sight!
and lastly, the Eiffel Tower again. Goodbye Paris.
