Up close and personal

Hanging out at the base of Eiffel Tower, there was no way I was heading up the elevators with the long lines, pushing and shoving.

I was just enjoying my time in and around, I have been up the tower previously, I was thinking back to when it was and was a little surprised to work out in was the mid to late 1990s, regardless, I wasn't heading up this time.

It's hard to believe they were actually seriously contemplating tearing the structure down at the end of the World's Fair in 1889, initially criticised by intellectuals and artists, it is now the most visited monument in the world.  

Le Dôme Café

The legendary Le Dôme Café of Montparnasse; located just around the corner from the Eiffel Tower was the meeting place of intellectuals and left bank artists. I have read so much about Le Dôme with famous literary clientele of Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald, William Somerset Maugham with artists of Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst and Paul Gauguin - this was the place to be. Even leftist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin was apparently a regular there mixing with Dômiers at the so called Anglo-American café.

Arc de Triomphe

My favourite monument in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe completed in 1836 has been described as the most monumental of monument arches. Standing in the centre of  Place de l'Étoile and the Champs-Élysées, the arch honours those who fought and lost their lives for France with a particular emphasis on the Napoleonic wars.

Champ de Elysees

Running from the Place de la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle is the Champs-Élysées, the famous Parisian 8th arrondissement boulevard lined with theatres, cafés, designer and luxury shops.

The 14th of July is Bastille Day, Europe's largest military parade in passes the length of the Champs-Élysées with the final stage of the Tour de France also finishing on the Champs-Élysées.

The Eiffel Tower

I just never get sick of the Eiffel Tower, mind you, I am not in Paris that much, on the rare occasion I am, it is well worth the effort to get up close for a look. You don't actually realise how big the Eiffel Tower is until you are almost right at the base, it is a monumental tower in all aspects.

Wandering up the Champ de Elysees

Wandering the streets of Paris, so much to do, so much to see. I absolutely love walking the Champs de Elysees from Tuileries Garden to the Arc de Triomphe - it never gets old.

The Paris Metro

I love travelling on the Paris metro, another instance of an old train system working efficiently. It was about 2004, the last time I used the Paris metro. What I had forgotten was the number of people jumping the turnstiles without purchasing a ticket, you don't need a ticket to exit the Paris metro, once you are in, you have no issues.