Les Champs Elysees et d'Autres Sites Bien Connus Parisiennes

As my sister hasn't been to Paris since she was 18 and May 12th is her 71st birthday, we have spent more time than I usually would have done visiting some of the well known tourist sites in Paris. 

A couple of days ago, we took the metro to the Opera so we could take a photo of that beautiful building that became so well known because of the Phantom of the Opera legend.  

From there, it was an easy walk to Boulevard Haussmann where the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores are found.  The former is located in three buildings, one being the Coupole with its amazing dome in art nouveau style.  We went up to the rooftop terrace in that building to get the beautiful views across Paris and have a refreshment.

Then, Wednesday, we headed in a different direction and took the metro to Charles de Gaulle d'Etoile where another of Paris' iconic sites is located:  l'Arc de Triomphe.  We walked through the tunnel under l'Etoile which is a massive roundabout where at least 7 avenues come together.  There seemed to be about 6 lanes but nothing is marked so it basically looks like traffic chaos!  I asked a policeman if there were many accidents there and he told me probably at least 10 a day!

Looking toward La Defense

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Looking Down les Champs Elysees

Another photo of the traffic

We decided to stroll down les Champs Elysees, Paris' most famous street.  While some of the higher-end stores and car dealerships that used to be located here have moved, there is still plenty to look at with some major brands still having stores here like Mont Blanc, Tissot, and Rolex.  We kept humming the famous song about this famous street (click on the link above to hear it). While we don't know the words, it still became an "ear worm" for both of us for the rest of the day!  I later heard on the English language radio station I listen to (Riviera Radio) that the French government has decided to spend something like 24 million Euros to upgrade the Champs Elysees in preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics which will be held in Paris.  They plan to add more green spaces and pedestrian walkways apparently.

The Grand Palais

We continued walking in a straight line down the avenue until we reached Place de la Concorde.  This is where the guillotine was infamously located during the French Revolution.  Today, it is one of the major squares in Paris and famous for the Luxor Obelisk (a 3,300 year old Egyptian obelisk) in its centre.

We continued our walk going through the Jardins de Tuileries, where it was quite windy and dust was blowing everywhere, to the huge complex of the Louvre, a former palace and now home to the museum of the same name.  

The courtyard of the Louvre and the surrounding buildings are very impressive.  There is some controversy, however, about the pyramid structure which is now the entrance to this famous museum.  Some people love it; other think it doesn't fit with the overall "feel" of the courtyard.  I am a member of the latter group!  I don't like it at all.

The following day, we headed to the Trocadero where the Palais de Chaillot is located.  It is from there that you get amazing views of the Eiffel Tower although because of some restoration, the views were somewhat obstructed.  

On the way back to our hotel, we once again passed by Notre Dame.  One can only hope that beautiful church will one day be restored to its former beauty.

Notre Dame

That stop completed our "tour" of some, but certainly not all, of Paris' main sites.  We missed seeing the Luxembourg Gardens and Place des Vosges in the Marais which is arguably one of the prettiest squares in Paris.  Of course, there is always more to explore here which certainly gives one a good reason to return!