On Location - France

One of the most instantly recognisable buildings in the world; the Eifel Tower is a marvel of engineering.  With its height of 330m it is easily visible from many locations across Paris and thus it became a focus for one of my galleries.  The streets, the viewpoint, the time of day, the weather, the perspective can all change but the Eifel Tower remains majestic as it towers over Paris.  Sit back and admire it for the wonder that it is!

La Defense is a great area to visit if you are interested in modern architecture.  Each building has unique features and I found myself wondering, on many an occasion, as to how they had managed to build such structures.  Beyond the functional architecture there is art in how these buildings have been created; they have a presence and it is something to behold.  I chose late afternoon for my visit as it was the perfect time to capture the changing light through twilight, golden hour, sunset, and the blue hour.  

If you want a great view of Paris visit the terrace of Galeries Lafayette; the views across the city towards the Eifel Tower, Opera, Sacre Coeur, etc. are stunning particularly if you can time your visit for sunset.   The interior of the store is amazing with the neo-byzantine dome being the centre attraction.  Well worth a visit whether its to shop, have a coffee, or just to take in the amazing views.

I just love Paris!  Its such a beautiful city with fantastic architecture, an amazing collection of galleries and museums, and a wonderful culture.  It's truly a unique place and one that I hope to return to again and again over time.  The images in this gallery are the general shots I took whilst wandering around the city or on my way from one attraction to another.  This gallery is much like the city itself, a bit messy, busy and a bit disorientating; overall though so stunning and so beautiful.

From its iconic glass pyramids through the grandeur of the former palace building, the Louvre is a stand out attraction in Paris.  Visiting it is simply daunting as there is just so much art to take; the eight 'departments' (e.g. Greek, Egyptian, Islamic, etc.) are worthy of day(s) visits in themselves.  It is just near impossible to comprehend the treasures that lie within its walls.  Perhaps best known for the home of the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo, the museum is so much more and an insight into the marvels of artistic endeavours across time and cultures.

I started the evening looking for a jazz bar in the Sant Michel area of Paris but being midweek there was not much on in the price range I was looking for.  I instead took a wander down the streets and alleys looking at the bars, cafes, and restaurants in the area.  A lovely night looking at the 'beacons of light' and the people that were still out and about in Paris around midnight.  This is an area that I would love to return to one day.

As galleries go, this is one of my personal favourites.  With its origins as a train station, the central hall is enormous and flooded with natural light.  Gigantic ornate clock faces located around the building are a reminder of its former purpose and of times gone by.  If, like me, you love impressionist and post-impressionist art, then Musee d'Orsay should be high on your list of places to visit.  Take time to visit one of the cafes inside for a journey to the grand and opulent days gone by.

A marvel of architecture which contains a number of stunning frescos; it is quite a humbling experience to walk the floor taking in the majesty of scale and design.  An art installation consisting of a 20m (??) circular mirror provided an alternate means to study the roof as well as the people and views that were captured in reflection.  The dome is worthy of a ticket as it offers spectacular 360 degree views across the city; on a clear day such as it was I could see for miles and miles and was an attraction in itself.

Visiting Sacre Coeur was one of the many highlights of my trip to Paris; I recommend going just prior to sunset so that you can see the colours change over the city.  You will be joined by many people and its lovely to sit on the steps taking in the ambiance with a singer / musician doing her thing in the background.  Entry into the church is free and is a must-do; its simply stunning!  I was lucky enough to catch a service where the choir were singing; simply beautiful to hear the voices fill the space as I took in the marvels of the mosaics and stained glass windows.  Nearby there is a square lined with restaurants; a perfect place to stop for a bite or simply people watch which is what I did.