Paris 2009: Friday, March 13

Our hotel, on a quiet side street just steps from the Rue de Rivoli.

One of the main arcaded streets along the Jardin Tuileries.

Crossing the bridge over to the Musee d'Orsay on the other side of the Seine.

This museum houses art mainly from the Impressionist period.

The building was originally a train station.

A sculpture of the sculptor sculpting!

Marble sculptures made from differing materials.

Walking along the river to the nearest Metro station.

They really know how to design a bridge around here.

Free public toilets are few and far between in Paris. These can be found occasionally and have a high-tech self-cleaning feature.

One of the more famous landmarks in this part of the city.

This was our guide for our walking tour: a young American who finds that living in Paris giving tours and having a French girlfriend is an ideal way to spend one's 20s.

The cemeteries consist of above-ground vaults.

Dalida was apparently a very famous singer with a tragic life story. Known all over Europe (or at least France), but she did not sing in English and is pretty much unknown to us.

An interesting character. He died not long after Dalida, who apparently kept him quite busy.

A typical street in this section that is famous as the home of many artists and musicians, especially in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

One of the remaining windmills (moulin) that used to provide wind power up here on the heights.

This sculpture was inspired by a short story written by an author who lived in an adjacent building.

Another climb along this street, with a view of Sacre Coeur in the distance.

This small vineyard produces the only wine that is actually made within the Paris city limits.

This beautiful church is at the highest point in the city and can be seen from almost anywhere. It also provides a great view of the city below.

This obelisk is over 3000 years old and was given to France as a gift from Egypt.

The famous avenue at night.

The tower at night, taken from the Place de la Concorde near our hotel.