the death of Henry III of France, in 1589, there is a war of succession between Henry of Navarre, the legitimate heir, but Huguenot (Calvinist) confessed and de facto, and the Catholic League of France, supported by Philip II Spain. Because Henry failed to take Paris, defended by the troops of Alexander Farnese, and the only way to reach the French king was converted to Catholicism, in an act of political realism and agreeing to the terms of the King of Spain, gave the step on July 25, 1593, when it is credited with the famous phrase: "Paris is worth a Mass" (Paris joins well VAuto messe), reigned as Henry IV.
I say this as an introduction to the story of our visit (my wife and me) to Paris last March. For if there is any doubt on that assertion, it clears only discover the city. It is true that Henry chose the kingdom of France and we just visited Paris for the first time, but still, is perfectly understandable that so much beauty I clouded up the thinking and ideas, unless I enter examine questions of faith and religion.
In our case we wanted to just celebrate our 37 wedding anniversary with the delicacy of the visit to the French capital que no conocíamos. Acertada decisión, que seguro apoyan todo el que conozca la ciudad.
Nos ubicamos en el Hotel Champ de Mars, en la calle del mismo nombre y muy cerquita de Ecole Militaire, en el distrito 7, al pie casi de la Torre Eiffel y junto a la calle Cler, peatonal, típica, con sus puestos en la calle, cafeterías, pastiserías, queserías, etc… al lado, Los inválidos, con la tumba de Napoleón, pero, tranquilos, que el sujeto anda bien encerrado…
Al final decidimos coger el bus turístico para dos días y pulular the places where, strategically, he stops, as were
1 .- Eiffel Tower. Awesome work, as you know, which is worth up (no lift, of course) to see the spectacle of Paris from above (276 meters). It was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889 and very nearly demolished ... that what the French would have been lost!
2 .- Champ de Mars. Gardens ranging from the tower itself to the Ecole Militaire, where cadets were riding school. In this school became Lieutenant Napoleon Bonaparte.
3 .- Louvre Museum. It is worth a week to leave this alone, but alternating with other visitors to not saturate. Just visit the section devoted to ancient Egyptian, Oriental, Etruscan and Roman and logic visit to the Mona Lisa and minions. Impressive building and contents.
4 .- The Ile de la Cite. With the Holy Chapel and stunning stained glass, Notre Dame and all its glory, along with roads, bridges and architecture of the center of Paris.
5 .- Musée d'Orsay. Introduced in la Vieja D'Orsay railway station, recovered for this Menestheus if muestra splendid rebosante works of art in painting, sculpture, decorative art, photography, etc.. Painters like Pierre Bonnard, Paul Cézanne, Gustave Courbet, Edgar Degas, Maurice Denis, Paul Gauguin, Edouard Manet, Jean-Francois Millet, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and a very large number of reconocimiento universal. Valga redundancy impress me he French Impressionism. In the hall he dejo reflejo of the cafeteria, with cool technology and sustainable view on it, that the food hacían an act that more enjoyable.
6 .- Opera. We could only see the facade that was scaffolding for maintenance work. Failed to visit the "Galeries Lafayette" by passing for a demonstration area, so we visited only La Madeleine is a Catholic church of neoclassical architecture, which reminded me, with its columns, a Roman temple. Beautiful view from there of the Place de la Concorde and the National Assembly in the background.
7 .- The Arc de Triomphe. In whose look did not see the city of Cadiz and conquered by Napoleon, hehehe ... We climbed the 284 steps to see the perspective from above and realized that age does not forgive. The breathtaking view. Twelve avenues leading to Paris. Defense threatening to substance with its skyscrapers, as held out of town to avoid breaking its structure, as if the idea of \u200b\u200bfuture development and was suspended in the Paris outskirts to respect the classic loaded with beauty. Skyscrapers envious look intimidating from the outside, not daring to disturb the peace and beauty that radiates the city. Perhaps the Eiffel Tower, with its tall bully, they also intimidate them in the defense of Paris XIX.
8 .- The Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, just across the Pont Alexandre monumental III, all built for him Expo 1900. The Petit is the Museum of the City of Paris, the Fine Arts. Little time to much to see. The building, in itself, it is a work of art that blurs in some cases, the works exhibited.
9 .- Trocadero. Impressive for its spaciousness, gardens and views of the illuminated Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars Avenue between its legs. People, many people, more people ...
We can not forget the Champs Elysees, the Place de la Concorde, where they were guillotined King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette with its Egyptian obelisk from the Temple of Luxor, and the gardens of the Tuileries, Place Vendome with the monument to Napoleon, the Invalides, Louis XIV impressive building to house the wounded and maimed of their wars, where lie the remains of Napoleon , and a wide etc. is found only with walking and kick streets, plazas and gardens.
Montmartre and the district of painters. Excellent views of Paris from the Esplanade of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, full of people watching the display of skills in dance, juggling, etc. of spontaneous actors. The beautiful temple, but vigilant for anyone doing photos. It seems incredible to be reached so that the camera retains far as the eye could not, without knowing what benefit they take, except that people will buy a postcard instead of taking the photo. After a coffee in the Place du Tertre ", or the painters of them working full portraits or caricatures of customers, with its exhibition of works by inviting a souvenir of Paris. Nice and quiet area to walk bohemian seeing Abbesses street stalls, down to Blanch Lepic alongside Le Moulin Rouge, take the subway and go to sleep.
A stroll along the Seine. Being or not, can not be an anniversary forgiving experience boating on the Seine. The problem was the persistent rain, although not intense, who accompanied us throughout the tour. Night from the river, with all the illuminated monumental buildings that line the shores, is an indelible image. In the end, around the Eiffel tower gave us a spectacular and complementary set of lights that turned in a sizzling flash that ran the whole structure. Can be seen every hour in the first five minutes.
As supplementary question can say it is an expensive city for tourists, with a commuter train, RER, that connects to the radial zone and a fairly complete metro network. Although not very colorful and presentable, both on trains and in stations. Beware of pickpockets! If you can see well without knowing the language, although it is preferable to master something French or English.
I think there's a cheaper way to visit, such as renting an apartment for two or three couples and cook and live there for about ten days. In order to share this experience you have some photos, selected from the 700 I did a couple Slides, if you like to see them.
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