Paris.
Isn’t it strange how once you’ve visited a place, there is a different type of familiarity when you hear about the location on the news? That has recently been the case as I hear about the flooding along the Seine in Paris.
There RER C line is temporarily closed. That was the line we took to visit the Palace of Versailles. I have walked inside the Louvre. We have strolled along the banks of the Seine.
Along the Seine.
I visited Paris last April.
Springtime in Paris.
I could just swoon saying those words.
It was during my first overseas trip and Paris was more lovely in the spring than anything I had imagined.
No trip to Paris is complete without a stroll along the Seine.
Pont de la Concorde.
Our first view of the Seine was from Pont de la Concorde. This is the bridge that connects Quai des Tuileries at the Place de la Concorde (on the Right Bank) and the Quai d’Orsay (on the Left Bank).
I’ll let you in on a little behind the scenes secret. The hubby and I watch Vikings on the History Channel. He had been to Paris many years prior to our trip and here he is pointing out the background on the attack of Paris. If you don’t watch the show (while it’s not historically accurate), the episode was based on the Siege of Paris in 845.
The historical accounts are that the Danish Viking Reginheri (thought to be the same person as the legend of Ragnar Lothbrok) sailed a fleet of about 120 ships along the Seine, raiding the city of Rouen as he progressed. They went on to pillage Paris, which at the time was an island city, located on Île de la Cité, where you now find Notre Dame.
Right Bank of the Seine.
While we walked along the Seine numerous times during our visit to Paris, my photos are predominately from the Right Bank of the Seine. We walked from the Jardin des Tuileries to Notre Dame.
Museé d’Orsay.
While I did not have a chance to visit the Museé d’Orsay, I did admire its architecture.
The museum building was originally a railway station, Gare d’Orsay. It was finished in time for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. It was the terminus for the railways of southwestern France until 1939.
After 1939, it was used for suburban services and part of it became a mailing center during World War II.
In the 70’s, the idea came about to turn the building into a museum. The plan was for the museum to bridge the gap between the Louvre and the National Museum of Modern Art.
The museum officially opened in December of 1986.
The museum is open daily (closed on Mondays) from 9:30 am to 6 pm, with extended hours until 9:45 pm on Thursdays.
With works by Renoir, Degas, Manet, and Van Gogh (just to name a few), it will definitely be on my “must see” list when I return to Paris.
Have you visited the Museé d’Orsay?
If so, what your favorite piece of art?
Views.
All along the Seine, the views are breathtaking. Miss Sunshine was ill for most of our time in Paris. However, she was a trooper and soldiered on during our walk to Notre Dame. This was the view from a water break we took before perusing the stalls of the bouquinistes.
Love Locks.
There are numerous love locks along the Seine. While one of the most famous locations for their placements is along the Ponts des Arts bridge, we found them while walking along the Quai des Tuileries.
While I admire a good love story, I did not leave a lock.
The weight of so many locks can eventually create damage. I have my memories and I’ve snapped some photos of the locks both here and in Amsterdam.
Travel.
I feel very lucky to be able to travel. To have visited Paris and to have walked along the banks of the Seine.
Have you ever been to Paris?
Which area was your favorite in which to spend your time?
We had a very short visit there and I hope to return again someday.
I hope to return again to Shakespeare and Company, to look amongst its book-filled shelves. To admire the doors of Paris as I stroll along the rues and boulevards. There are daydreams of sitting upon my current favorite Corner of Paris and watching the vibrancy of Paris.
And, of course, to see all that I missed.
Let your light shine!
Amy
