La belle Paris

I've traveled to Paris many a time while I've been learning French, mainly during the summer holidays with my mum and my sister. So, I thought I'd put up a few photos and stories here to give you guys some encouragement to go! It really is a lovely place, easy to get around and offers you all the best things about France in one convenient city. That, and it's literally a quick trip on the Eurostar from Kings Cross St Pancras International! I've also heard that the coach company Megabus offers a coach from Cardiff to Paris for £20 return! Bargain!

The view from my apartment on one of my holidays, on the Rue de Rivoli at the Lion D'or

One year, there was a fairground in the park round the corner to my hotel and I convinced my mum to get on this huge Ferris wheel, which resulted in some awesome pictures from a height

La Tour Eiffel

That little bistro in front of my apartment was absolutely beautiful. Best food I have ever eaten in Paris, and not well known!

Ferris wheel shots, to the left there is part of the Louvre, a famous French Museum (featured heavily in the DaVinci Code!)

Another view from the Ferris wheel showing the rest of the fair

In the distance there you can see Montmartre, which was and always has been a hub of artist activity. The steep steps up the the church are an iconic French image

And here we go, I just had to take a picture of the steps!

Here's the view onto the Paris below from Montmartre.

At the bottom of the stairs, I found this great street art. Whether it was commissioned or illegal, I have no idea. Lots of talent, though.

Montmartre itself

The famous pyramid of the Louvre off to the right (again, more DaVinci code things ...)

Hotel Ritz to the right, where Coco Chanel called home for 37 years

The Louvre

Under the glass pyramid of the Louvre is another smaller one.

Picturesque scene of the Siene, the river that runs down the center of Paris

L'Arc de Triomphe

... that bus looks almost like a London bus, but anyway, here's the Eiffel Tower.

View from the 2nd level of the Eiffel Tower. I'm surprised my mum went on it, she's terrified of heights...

This was kind of odd, but all the way up the Tower, there are statues of workers, a little bit frightening as you're walking up all the stairs and you see them just hanging there. I think it must be a memorial to the workers who made it. To this day I'm still not very sure. 

This is the Pont d'Iena bridge right in front of the Eiffel Tower, which connects it to the Trocadero district.

Many of the buildings in the heart of Paris don't have lifts, and the hotel that we often stay at (the Lion d'Or) is no exception! The view from so high up is lovely, but lugging suitcases up those stairs isn't.

This is taken at Parc Asterix. I've been there many times, but I've only been to the dolphin show once, and it was really, really good!

Ahhh, le Metro...

I had the chance to go on a river cruise down the Seine once, and it was such a treat. You get to see Paris from a totally unique view. One of my favorite points was going under the beautifully lit bridges. 

La Tour Eiffel de nuit.

And finally...

Any DaVinci Code readers know what this is?