New Years Eve

I counted down to the new year with thousands of others on the Champs d'Elysees, then walked down to the Place de la Concorde(where Marie Antoinette and many others were executed during the Revolution)which was jammed with people. nicely lit up, and littered with empty Champagne bottles.

Eiffel at Night Part 2

The view from the top.

Eiffel at Night

I had an amazing trip up the Eiffel Tower on New Years Eve. I arrived at 6ish and stood at the base along with thousands of others hoping to go up that night. The line was so long(in December! I hate to imagine the high season) and I waited at least 45 minutes in line without getting more than a few feet ahead. A couple comes up and asks if I'm alone, and then offer me a free ticket to the top, as they had won free passes and had an extra, and asked me to come along with them. Very cool. Being a VIP ticket, we cut the lines and went straight up. Made for a nice suprise. Sorry about the same shots above...

The Maison d'Eugene Delacroix

An old studio in the 6e where Eugene Delacroix had stayed was made into a museum.

Obscene but funny

Just thought I'd throw this picture in for comic relief. I was walking in the tapestry rooms at the Louvre and saw this lovely bit in the corner of one. I suppose the needlewomen were dedicated to making the tapestries as realistic as possible.

Upper Chapel of Ste Chapelle Part 2

Upper Chapel of Ste Chapelle

The Upper Chapel of Ste Chapelle, where the Royals and their posse got to church themselves. It's wall to wall stained glass, which makes for a very nice viewing just as the sun goes down.

The Lower Chapel of Ste Chapelle

Right next door to the Conciergerie is Ste Chapelle, one of the prettiest churches I've seen so far. This is the lower chapel, where commoners were allowed to worship.

The exterior of the Conciergerie

Cosy Cafe

A cafe on Ile de la Cite that leaves out fuzzy blankets to wrap yourslef up in, should you feel chilled.

Sully

The romantic and ancient Pont de Sully that links the Left and Right Banks to Ile de la Cite.

The Gendarmes Hall

This is the Gendarmerie, an old dining hall for the soldiers. The arches are truly beautiful. The space now houses a contemporary art exhibition.

Interior Courtyard Conciergerie

This is the interior courtyard of the Conciergerie, also called the women's courtyard. Women prisonners had the advantage of a fountain for bathing, whereas the men did without.

Conciergerie

The Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was held in the weeks before her execution. The actual cell she was held in was destroyed after the Revolution but they reconstructed it(complete with stuffed dummy).