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| Beautiful Eiffel Tower at night. (2015) |
My idea of warmer weather wasn’t exactly what we received. I think Mother Nature went a little overboard. France and many parts of Europe are under extreme heat advisories. Being from the USA we typically heed the warning and stay inside.
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| Looking up through the middle of the tower waiting our turn to ride to the top (2015) |
The problem that arises in Europe is many homes here do not have air conditioning. Like the the place in which we are staying. Being close to the coast has helped us. We open the doors/windows in the morning and when the temperatures start to rise, we shut the doors and curtains to contain as much cool as possible. Here in Deauville, the temperature was in the mid-high 80’s F/25-29 Celsius.
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| View from the Tower overlooking the Seine river (2015) |
We moved our trip to Paris from Thursday (today) back to Tuesday when it was only 95F/35C. I am so thankful we made that decision. Today it is predicted to be in the 100’sF/37C. We were miserable on our trip to Paris.
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| A different view from the top of the tower (2015) |
I can say that we didn’t enjoy it as much as we did the first time but we still saw the sites we didn’t see the first trip so it was worth it but cooler weather would have made it easier.
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| Looking straight up the side of the tower (2015) |
Some of my photos are “washed out” meaning it was so hot and bright they aren’t as good so I’m including some of the photos we took in the fall of 2015 when we were there. I’ve noted that under the picture.
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| Sacre-Coeur Basilica (2015) |
On our first trip over, we didn’t make it to Notre Dame or to see the Arc de Triomphe so we made sure we were at those two locations above all others.
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| One of the horsemen on guard at the Basilica (2015) |
Paris still had that romantic feel but just not as enjoyable as we had the first trip.
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| Sacre-Coeur Basilica also known as the Sacred Heart of Paris (2015) |
Notre Dame, a famous cathedral in Paris, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture on which construction began in the 12th century and is the symbolic heart of the city of Paris.
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| This is what the Notre-Dam Cathedral looked like before the fire (stock picture from the internet) |
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| Notre-Dame Cathedral |
This year, April 15, 2019, the roof and the spire were completely destroyed in a horrific fire but the beautiful gold cross was left standing in the midst of the ruins. The efforts to rebuild began immediately.
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| A lot of construction but a lot of the structure is still there |
During our visit, the cathedral was completely blocked but we were able to see where they were rebuilding. We could see where the fire took place but they are progressing well into the cleanup. Its still beautiful from the outside, you just have to use your imagination and see past the scaffolding and cranes scattered about.
It was heartbreaking to see the damage but knowing they are rebuilding, makes it not so sad.
Our next stop was The Louvre. It is not only beautiful on the outside, its just as amazing on the inside. The grand palace that houses the museum, which dates back to the late twelfth century, is a true lesson in architecture The most innovative architects have in turn built and developed the Louvre between the years 1200 – 2011. This royal residence was also home to French heads of state until 1870 and is one of the major backdrops to the history of Paris and of France. Some of the most famous artifacts are “the Mona Lisa”, The Venus de Milo and The Winged Victory of Samothrace.
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| Outside the entrance to the Louvre – Pyramid built by Chinese Architect I.M. Pei |
Entering the Louvre, more people were in the water fountains than outside admiring them. Still a beautiful place but today it was a sauna with all concrete inviting the sun to its direction.
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| The Louvre is a grand palace and massive is size |
I planned out our route via the Metro on an app on my iPhone. I highly recommend this. You can save the routes as favorites and it takes you to each location.
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| The museum has an amazing architectural design. |
We planned an almost perfect circle around the city and did great in seeing all we wanted in the time we had.
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| An arch on one side of the Louvre museum with horses and chariots. |
The metro trains don’t have A/C, so of the few we rode that did not have the windows open or were in an enclosed underground area, the air was stifling and the smell of sweaty bodies was awful.
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| Inside looking up through Pyramid |
I don’t think they could have invented a deodorant strong enough for that many people on that particular day.
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| It amazes me how much attention to detail was paid to every inch of this once castle. Even the ceilings were carved in beauty. |
We stopped for a bite to eat, inside. Typically everyone wants to sit outside but today, if you were eating you could sit inside in the A/C.
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| The Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci |
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| The Winged Victory of Samothrace – Greek stone sculpture -Artist unknown |
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| Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova |
The Eiffel tower was blocked with a tall 10 foot bullet proof glass barrier. This wasn’t here on our last trip.
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| The ceiling of one area of the Louvre museum |
You would have to go through security to get into the tower. This is all due to the terrorist attacks. When we were there in 2015, we left Paris a few days before the November 13 bombing on restaurants and concert hall.
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| Palais Garnier Opera House – East side |
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| Palais Garnier Opera House – West side |
Our hotel was actually one street over from the bombings. Thankful and grateful that we were leaving when we did.
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| This Opera House is still in use today but only for ballet |
Our last stop was the Sacre-Coeur Basilica. I didn’t think we had seen this Basilica on our last trip and really wanted to see it. The problem I made in planning was it was the last stop for us.
To get there, we took the Metro as we did to every location and a little walking. When we exited the train, we typically try to take the stairs until we need a break, then we take the elevator.
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| Wanted by Napoleon in 1806, the Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated in 1836 by French King, Louis Philippe, who dedicated it to the armies of the Revolution and the Empire. The Unknown Soldier was buried at the base of the arch in 1921. |
What we didn’t realize was the train was 3 floors below ground on this particular stop. To get to the outside we started walking and the spiral staircase just kept going and going and going.
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| A view inside the arch |
We took many breaks. It was approximately 100 steps from what I can gather on Google. We had the Basilica in sight and started to walk towards it and saw another long path of steps.
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| Sainte Chapelle is a royal chapel in the Gothic style once the residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century, |
Chuck counted and there were another 70+ steps. We both looked at each other and shook our heads. Today is just not the day. We were physically and mentally drained.
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| French restaurant with English menus! Great food! |
We looked at other trains to see if they got any closer but you still had to go up many steps to get there. When we got back to our apartment,
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| Various sculptures along our route |
I looked it up and we had already been there once so I didn’t feel so bad. Next time, we’ll time that as our first stop when we have more energy!
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| I’m surprised no one had their head under this water |
Our train was finally here. We had second class so we “shared” a room with 3 other French speaking ladies and 1 cute little girl. The room holds 8 people. We were fortunate there were only 6 of us in this one. Again, NO AC and minimal moving air. You just had to be still and hope the 2 hours went quick. I’m thankful it wasn’t full of sweaty boys. When we arrived in Deauville we exited the train to about 65 degrees! It was AWESOME!! We breathed in the cool air and by the time we walked home (1 mile), Chucks shirt was finally dry. The cool air felt so good after a hot, stifling day!
Paris will still be the most romantic city in the world but when I say it was HOT, I’m not talking sexy!
We’ll always treasure our adventures no matter how good or bad they are.
May God Bless you all!
Chuck & Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 
