Photos from Paris

Mark at one of Paris' many fountains

L'Arc de Triomphe

The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles

Here we are in the "backyard" of the palace at Versailles

One of the main fountains at Versailles. You can see the stormclouds in the distance - we managed to get out just in time

La Tour Eiffel - the first time we went was a comedy of errors.

The weather looked fine before we left; we got there early and got a good spot in the line at one of the feet of the tower. We figured we'd go up to the first level, and if the weather held out we'd buy tickets to the other levels or walk. About 5 minutes before opening, though, we were told that this foot was stairs only, so there was a bit of a panic as we (and many others) tried to maintain a good position in line at another one of the feet. We did manage that, though; the line moved quickly and we were soon at the door of the elevator, ready to enter for only the second trip of the day. And then we waited..., and waited..., and waited. Eventually they told us that the elevator was malfunctioning, so we had to go to a third foot. By this time, of course, the lines had grown considerably longer, and we worried that all our efforts to avoid the crowds by arriving early would be for nought. However, when we all got to the third foot, someone else was brave enough to play the whiny tourist and went to the front, complaining that we'd been bumped because of a malfunction; miraculously, they let us go to the head of the line. And soon we were in our elevator - and then we waited..., and waited some more. Once again, we were told there was a problem with the elevator; again, some tests had to be run, so we left the elevator while they did that... and waited some more. But finally, the elevator returned, we got in, and a cheer arose as the elevator began to ascend. And in no time at all, we were on the first level.

Of course by then, it had become completely overcast and had started to rain. We didn't even bother to take pictures or stay very long. But we vowed we would return...

The magnificent front of the cathedral of Notre Dame

A stained-glass window in Notre Dame

Musée d'Orsay. This was once a train station, now a superb museum of 19th and 20th century art. A particular highlight was the Rodin sculptures - amazingly lifelike and expressive.

A highlight of the Musée d'Orsay was seeing this Monet (Regatta at Argenteuil). We have a print in our living room, but this is the real thing!

The Champs Elysées by night

We chose this because it was "recommended by Lenny Kravitz" (it says that in red on the yellow sign at right, but unfortunately you can't quite make it out from this picture). Later we found out that this was the exact falafel place our friends Ian & Wendy recommended, even though we couldn't remember the name!

Musée Picasso

This is a miniature replica of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. It faces west, towards America

This is a replica of the torchlight on the Statue of Liberty, but it has become a makeshift memorial for Princess Di - directly behind it you can see the entrance to the tunnel where she died

The new entrance to the Louvre

We got to the Louvre early and rushed right in to see the Mona Lisa. Here's Shirley showing her version of the "Mona Lisa smile"!

The famous Venus de Milo

It's not that small - is it?

The lunch patio at the Louvre

Our second trip to the tower turned out much better than the first. We went in the afternoon and the lines weren't too bad; we walked up to the first and second levels, and then took the lift to the third. This time it was great for photos, and we took lots.