Strength and Beauty

Eiffel Tower,  Paris, France

This exquisite structure is a triumph of architecture and good taste.  We loved seeing it from afar and up close.  Seeing it lit up by the late summer sun and then ascending it at dusk was a treat.  The tower is simply beautiful and worth visiting.

Aux Champs-Élysées

Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France

From atop the Arc de Triomphe, we took this photo of the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées back in the late 1990s.  The avenue is historic and has played host to historic events, but it continues to be famous for its ritzy shops, grandeur, and beauty.

Canard by the Catamarans

Duck Breast and Fixings, Marigot, Saint-Martin, France

We enjoyed this delicious meal while sitting outside at the Marina Port la Royale in Marigot.  The meal, environment, weather, and service were all perfect!

Saint-Martin is a French territory in the Caribbean Sea which is closer to Cuba than France.

Let Them Eat Bread

Bread Case, Paris, France

In honor of Bastille Day (La Fête Nationale), here's a display of bread in a nice bakery we visited in Paris' Marais District.  We love this picture because it reminds us of the delicious food in Paris and also because the window pane reflects the beautiful architecture outside the shop.

Subsonic

Concorde, Aéroport Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Roissy, France

Even tied down on its mountings, Concorde is at once majestic and graceful.  We trudged through a moist, icy, clay-filled field of rabbits to see this display of this retired Concorde.  It is very sad that every Concorde has been retired because of a single accident and some misguided environmental information.  Perhaps one day, a new supersonic airliner will take the skies.

No, I'm Not a Gargoyle

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

This is a chimera.  Unlike the similarly grotesque rainwater-spouting gargoyles, a chimera is purely decorative.  We took hundreds of stairs through narrow halls and spiraling staircases until we reached the top of a Notre Dame tower.  This unique view of Notre Dame and Paris was well worth the ascent.

Shine a Little Light

Golden Planter Sculpture, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
We were leaving the Musée National d'Art Moderne when we realized that a certain perspective would change the flowerpot on a pedestal into a flashlight.

We had already taken plenty of pictures of this Parisian landmark before we entered the Museum. However, we found the change in the weather and time of day presented a new opportunity for an exciting photo.

Arctic Station

Train Station, Aéroport Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Roissy, France
Europe is well known for it's food, culture and architecture. Unlike the USA, where our structures are frequently utilitarian, Europe is replete with exciting structures and spaces. This train station at the Charles de Gaulle airport was no exception. Our only complaint was that it was bitterly cold and it was a drastic change from the warm terminal to the freezing train station. We're not sure, however, that a utilitarian station would have been any warmer!

What's on le Menu?

Alleyway, Paris, France
One of the joys of dining in Europe is that restaurants post their menus outside. We always seem to spend too much time deliberating when it comes to deciding on where to eat. At least in Europe we can see their offerings and prices at a glance!

A New Day

View from an Airplane near Paris, France
We took this photo during our descent and approach into Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG). This cold November morning was illuminated by the sun behind the clouds.

Heading to Pepperland?

Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
For some odd reason, all the pipes and air-vents of the Centre Georges Pompidou are reminiscent of the Beatles' 1968 movie Yellow Submarine. The center houses an extensive library, a music research center, and a modern art museum.

Vive la République

Place de la République, Paris, France
Beneath this roundabout, close to our hotel, is République Metro, our primary Metro station during our visit. Many times during each day and night we were greeted by this tribute to French democracy, public beauty, and fine architecture.

Oompa Loompa

Terminal 2, Aéroport Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Roisy, France
Fridays are about flying and aviation. What you see is orange, round, and squat, but not an Oompa Loompa. It is actually the gate area of Terminal 2E at Aéroport Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG).