Sat 21 Feb 2009
Place de la Concorde at the end of the Tuleries Garden is a huge area. If you cross it, the Champs Elysees starts and continues on to the Arch de Triumph-a long walk.
One of the very ornate light posts there.
The Egyptian Obelisk, the oldest object in Paris. It was a gift from Egypt after a Frenchman was the one to discover the meaning of the Rosetta stone so Egyptian hieroglyphics could be interpreted. Or maybe it was just one of many art object Napoleon brought from Egypt. I also heard that Josephine said to Napoleon before he left for Egypt to bring her a “little” obelisk from there and that this was what was the result. It was, as you might imagine, a huge undertaking to get it down the Nile River and up the Seine to Paris and then to put it in place.
This fountain looks much better when it is running in the summer.
This photo give you an idea of the size of Place de la Concorde. That’s la Madeleine in the very back.
I love your photos – such an amazing, impressive place. The blue sky is amazing, too!
Quite a nice ‘little’ souvenir!
Cheers.
The Tuillereis is one of my favorite spots in Paris. I could happily spend all day there (when it’s warm) just looking around and people watching. Oh, and eating. Definitely, eating. The Place de la Concorde is some serious eye candy. Everywhere you look there’s a feast for the eyes. And yes, the fountain does look better when it’s running. When it’s not though, you can get a good look at all the details without getting splashed.
Great photos. I can’t wait to come to Paris when it finally warms up. Apparently global warming has forgotten a little country called Germany. We’ve had snow every day for almost 2 weeks. What’s up with that?
I remember this area very well. It is so pretty.
if bored come to the place de la concorde at the peak traffic time of either “going home” or “going to work” .
You will see the best traffic jams and fights between parisian motorists and the police/traffic cops, seem to look the other way ( I would too. LOL) !
I love looking at the great photos and reliving our trip. I cannot imagine how you found these areas with so few people. Guess it’s the time of year or time of day???
Love this area.
Oh, you’ve got one of my favorite fountains there! What a lovely day you captured.
This long, lovely walk is just perfect after all those pastries and hot chocolate the other day!
I remember that walk – July 2006, 98 stifling degrees, granddaughter in tow – so hot I could have died. It definitely is a LONG trek! However, the many beauties of Paris can only be really enjoyed on foot – there is something around every corner to take your breath away!
Lovely pics Linda – today I am sharing the loveliness of Aix-en-Provence last Oct. That was a gorgeous place too. Knowing that the following day we would be meeting in person was also exciting!
Hugs – Mary.
I remember the fountain in many movies and books! And I agree with you… It’s absolutely stunning when it’s running! So this is the place where the Bastille palace once stood? They shouldn’t have destroyed it completely… At least leave us some ruins just like the Berin Wall!