Paris Trip Days 1+2

Paris is a pretty cool place. I mainly went to see the history and architecture, and there was a feast of sights. 

Day 1

Jet lagged, but managed to walk down to the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero (gardens overlooking the Seine and the Tower).

Then we cruised on the Seine to see some of the buildings. I kept looking for MacLeod's barge but couldn't find it. 

 The back of Notre Dame from the river.

Day 2

Off to the Ile-de-la-Cité.

First up was the Conciergerie. Originally the residence of the Kings of France (6th century), it ended up as a prison (a theme in France).

The hall of Men-at-Arms above was quite neat, built in the 1300s, and was quite large, with large vaulted ceilings and fireplaces.

I also took some pics of Marie Antoinette's Chapel and the "Women's Courtyard". The passageway seemed a little small (I'm the big balding guy).

Next to the Conciergerie was the Palais du Justice, with the attached church of Sainte-Chapelle.

The Palais was the residence and seat of royal power from the 10th to 14th C, and became (and still is) part of the justice system. Sainte-Chapelle was built in the 1200s by Louis IX to house the relics of the Passion of the Christ, including the Crown of Thorns. The Crown cost more than the Chapel did! I didnt get good pics of the Chapel unfortunately and parts were being restored. It is a tall church, 2 stories, the lower with vaulted ceilings for the commoners and the upper with very tall stain glass windowed walls. 

Notre Dame is nearby, a very imposing church. All the while we were in there, an organist was playing some very spooky music. We had lunch from a street vendor and ate in the little park behind the church. (3rd photo). Also there was an archaeological dig underneath the Cathedral that was interesting. It was possible to climb up the towers (to see the Gargoyles) but the lineup while we were there was just massive.

We then took a walk along the Seine towards the Musee D'Orsay. Along the way we happened to pass a Louisiana Riverboat. No idea how it got there.

The Musee D'Orsay picks up where the Louvre leaves off, is in an old train station.

  I wasn't allowed to take any pics inside sadly.