Paris 2009: Tuesday, March 17

Several museums are housed in this structure.

More statuary between the Trocadero and the Tower.

This is the most scenic approach to the tower.

The tower is impressive, but it was too crowded to be worth standing in line to go up.

Taken from the gardens that extend from the other side of the tower.

We were a bit early, but there were some signs of Spring.

This walled palace was built in the 14th century and housed several of France's famous kings.

The keep was the original structure. Louis IX (St. Louis) lived here, and it was used as late as WWII as a prison.

This was modeled on Sainte-Chapelle on the Ile de la Cite, and closely resembles it.

We walked a lot of ramparts on this trip!

These two opposing buildings were built for Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette in the mid-1600s. They lived here sporadically before moving more permanently to Versailles. There is also a huge wooded park -- Bois Vincennes -- behind the palace, which includes lakes, paths, and a zoo.

A state visit by the President of Lebanon was taking place at the Arc.

The French Tri-Color flying under the arch.

A view from the top after a strenuous climb up a narrow circular stairway. This is the Champs Elysee, one of 12 streets that converge on the traffic circle around the arch.

A longer walk than it looks, as we discovered.

Typical traffic congestion, but not as bad as you might expect.

Busy sidewalks as we walked back to our hotel once again (about a mile and a half from the Arc).

A place to take a break. The home of the French President and the American Embassy are right next door.