The World Renowned Eiffel Tower

As I stood 300 meters, which is 984 ft. above ground, with the wind blowing against my face and my heart beating quickly from the long journey up the Eiffel Tower, I gazed in awe at the beautiful city of Paris. My group of friends and I were on the top of the the highest building in the center of Paris. The monument that I had always learned about in French class or seen on TV or in books; the monument that defined the city of Paris. As I admired the seemingly endless city I though to myself, if the Eiffel Tower was not here what would be the symboy of Paris? This monument has become automatically associated with Paris however I learned this weekend that has not always been the case.

When looking at a monument it is important to not only admire its beauty, architecture, and importance in the culture today, but also its history and how it came to be this worldy renowned monument. The Eiffel Tower indeed is one of the most magnificent monuments in the world. It was built for the 1889 Internation exposition, and named after its designer Gustave Eiffel. It was created to mark the 100^th anniversary of the French Revolution. To my surprise, Parisians did not welcome the tower with open arms for many years. They felt it would change the image of Paris and put some other great monuments in the shadows. They also saw the enourmous height as ugly and a danger to the city. Although this is difficult to believe now since we associate French culture with the Eiffel Tower, at the time it was built and displayed many critics felt that the tower did not reflect their city’s culture in any way. This history of the Eiffel Tower is fascinating to me and unfortunately it seems to have been somewhat forgotten over the years as the tower stands the icon for Paris. This is the main Eiffel Tower Website and it will provide you with any additional information you would like from history to ticket prices. http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

I looked all around, and made sure to take in as much as I could in the 15 minutes I had at the top. Who knows I may never have the oppurtunity to experience this again. So I began to think more. Why was it that the tower has become the symbol of Paris when the city is made up of so many other truly remarkable monuments? I believe it is because of many reasons. The Eiffel Tower is a public space in the center of Paris, which from up above makes everything else look as if it is surrounding and building outward from the tower. The extremely dense population of Paris was apparent from the top of the tower however I felt I was completely alone. Being so high up all I could hear was the wind and the distant sound of cars and buses honking down below. Even though I am not from France, I felt a sense of Parisan pride while standing on the top of the Tower. Earlier in the evening I watched as not only tourist but also locals have picnics on the lawns surrounding the Tower. These locals were demonstrating their nationalism for their homeland as they sat enjoying the beautiful sight. It was interesting to notice that there was hardly and green in Paris aside from the few areas around significant areas like the Eiffel Tower or the parks around the Louvre and Arc de Triomphe. This really signified which monuments the Parisians took great pride in.

My night at the Eiffel Tower is one that I will never forget! Learning about it when I was younger I never imagined myself actually standing at the top. The pictures are amazing to see however when you experience the real thing it takes your breath away. Not only was I able to get a sense of Paris nationalism and population but also French culture. We ate cheese and drank wine along with all of the locals. We even managed to meet a group of young peole from Paris who told us they come to this park every other Friday night because it is the best spot in Paris. It is amazing to see their passion for this monument. I was happy that some of their passion and excitement managed to wipe off on me. I will forever love the Eiffel Tower and the night I spent their learning about Paris is its culture.

An Evening at the Eiffel Tower

            After a long day site seeing at the Louvre, my friends and I finally made it to our most desired location, the most famous and glorious monument in Paris, the Eiffel Tower. This global icon located on the Champ de Mars exemplifies extreme nationalism and pride for the city of Paris, France. The tower was built in 1889 as the entrance arch for the World’s Fair, and is significant because of its stature. We arrived under the tallest building in Paris around 7 p.m. with our wine and baguettes just in time to enjoy a French sunset picnic.

            My friends and I sat underneath the Eiffel Tower for a few hours eating, drinking, and taking in the enormous, breathtaking iron lattice tower. This architecture was not common during the late 1800s and was considered “ugly” by the people in France when the tower was first built. Not only did I notice the tower and its structure, but I also noticed the many other tourists from all over the world sitting below the tower spending time with their family and friends. The Eiffel Tower draws in large crowds of people each day, and is the single most visited paid monument in the world. I found it interesting that within France’s borders, people that visit from other countries, share the same pride and attraction for the monument and its history.

            Along with the tourist, when we decided to get in line to climb the 324 m tower my friends and I were bombarded by gypsies. The gypsies were begging for money near the lines at most of the attractions in Paris. It was fascinating to see how they all connived together to gain money for them selves to survive through the tourists. The gypsies were definitely separated and stood out from the rest of the French population. The gypsies live in Paris, yet have their own separate identity within the French society. This was very different for me to see because I am from a very small town and have never seen anything like it. Cities as big as Paris have a much more dense population and more diversity, therefore I had to be careful of my surroundings and my belongings.            

            Finally after waiting in the long line, we began our journey to the top. Following each step up, we caught an even greater glimpse of the city below. The view was amazing and everlasting. From the top we could see the Seine River that serves as commercial waterway within the regions in France. This waterway eventually terminates into the Bay of the Seine area in the English Channel and is navigable by large ocean vessels. There are 37 bridges over the Seine River in Paris that connect the different regions of the city. Also all of the buildings located near the Eiffel Tower are remarkably lower to the ground so that nothing can take away from the Eiffel’s superiority and gloriousness.

            Nothing compared to the fun evening picnic and the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower that I experienced in Paris. I will never forget the beauty and history of the architecture, the extreme pride and nationalism for showing off the Tower, and the different ethnic people around that I witnessed in Paris that night. The Eiffel Tower gave me a great sense of Paris' pride and nationalism for France and allowed me to overlook the entire city. 

A Tower With A View

When I think of Paris, I immediately think of the Eiffel Tower. It’s a must see to anyone who is going to Paris for the first time. As a group we decided that the best way to conquer the sights of Paris was by getting tickets for the hop on, hop off bus tour. Throughout the day on our way to other destination sites, I caught glimpses of the top of the tower. My first impression was that it wasn’t as tall as I thought it was going to be. However, once face to face with the structure my initial thoughts were revoked. There was no doubt in my mind that I needed to climb to the top (or take the elevator).
The view from the top of the tower is one you have to experience first hand in order to take it all in. I could see the entire city and how it was laid out. What first struck me was that all the buildings were so similar. They were all built with the same style and with lots of evenly spaced windows on each level. Even the colors of the buildings were alike. The layout and design immediately made me think of urbanization and how the buildings reflect how the people adapted to the population increases in Paris throughout the years.
I read that Paris, France today has the largest urban mass in Europe (outside the Russian federation). However, throughout history this wasn’t always the case. In the early 19th century France had one of the largest populations, but after WWI and WWII their population suffered heavily from the losses. Since the late 19th century we have seen France and especially Paris, bounce back and experience a huge explosion in urbanization. A quick overview of France’s demographics and about the people of France can be found at http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/DF_people.shtml.
I think that France, especially Paris was so easily able to experience such an exponential rise in their population is due to the way their city was laid out and how they’re buildings were constructed. They’re housing within the city is built up rather than out. This allows for more people to fit in a certain area of space.
From the top of the Eiffel Tower I was also able to see the geography of the Seine River. This could have also played a huge role in the development of the city. We’ve seen other countries flourish that have been near water because they can greatly support and influence the country’s economy. Trade is easily established near water basins because boats can easily navigate back and forth from country to country and it can also be another means of transportation for anyone trying to get from one place to another. The Seine probably once served as a source of protection for the city and kept invaders from crossing into their land as well. Lastly, the river can also be used as a source of food for the population, especially when other sources of food may be scarce.
Whether it may be the structure and layout of the buildings in the city or the benefits that come from living near a body of water these characteristics of Paris influenced urbanization and the rates of the population throughout history.
While riding up to the top of the tower my intension for going up was because I was there and because it’s what you do when you go see the Eiffel Tower. I never thought that the view would be able to teach me so much about the city.
Lastly a tip for future viewers is to buy tickets online beforehand and save yourself at least 30 minutes of waiting in line. www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk

Beneath the Glitter of the Palace of Versailles

I remember first seeing a picture of Versailles and learning about Louis XIV, (also known as the 'Sun King') in my seventh grade French class. Now that I have meandered through the adorned corridors and stared towards the painted ceilings in awe - I surely cannot imagine a palace more beautiful or elegant. As I grew older however, and began to focus my studies throughout high school and also through college on European history, I gained a different perspective on the Sun King and his humble abode. The Palace of Versailles serves as the utmost reflection of French
nationalism and glory. However, beneath its glitter and grandeur lies a history of political complexity that sheds a different light upon the great palace and his majesty.
A certain amount of background concerning the reign of Louis XIV and the expansion of the palace of Versailles is important for anyone to truly appreciate and gain a deeper understanding of what they see after paying 25 euro and wandering around the tremendous palace and expansive grounds. Versailles served as the capital of the kingdom of France from 1682-1789 but now is a wealthier suburb of Paris. In 1682 with the Treaty of Nijmegen, Louis XIV decided that his government as well as his court would permanently convene in Versailles. Versailles is located over ten miles away from the city center. Knowing myself, I was certain that I would not spend my entire weekend in France exploring solely the city of Paris. My friends and I climbed to the top of the Eiffel tower, sipped authentic French wine and nibbled on French bread and rich crepes. We also strolled along the Champs-Elysées, of course shopped and toured the Louvre. Despite all of the rich history that is embodied in the city center of Paris, a rich and complex piece of the nation's history lies outside of Paris itself. That being said, Versailles seemed to be the perfect day trip and given the fact that I have yet to enroll in one French language or European history class that did not discuss the impact of Louis XIV and the Palace of Versailles - I decided to see for myself what all the buzz was about. By metro it took my friends and I over an hour to reach Versailles. Geographical placement typically is not circumstantial. Louis XIV intentionally developed the grand palace away from the city center as he desired to acquire a greater consolidation of power separate from the main population.
Looking like stereotypical tourists, my three travel companions and myself acquired audio guides that were permanently attached to our ears throughout the tour of the palace. Walking through each room of the palace, we discovered the purpose intended for each space. Almost of all of these revolved around the etiquette surrounding the King himself in the form of painstakingly traditional and drawn out ceremonies that celebrated his every day. I suggest that before visiting the palace you research Louis XIV and life at the palace. An online interactive source for research is http://en.chateauversailles.fr/history-. Louis XIV feared that his court would revolt against him and thus he kept them close, living in or around the palace and all these tensions and fears become immediately evident after exploring the grounds and the various traditions attached to each room and corridor of the palace.
Geography almost always tells a story. In the case of the Sun King and his palace, the actual physical landscape of the palace reflects the cultural system and the absolute monarchy that was in place during the reign of Louis XIV. Ultimately, the expansive palace caused greater damage than good and the excessive spending and flaunting of French national glory along with other French political issues largely culminated into the French Revolution. So, if you choose to remove yourself from the night lights of Paris and escape to Versailles for a day, I suggest that you take a moment to reflect upon the true meaning and consequences of the Versailles Palace and grounds. Allow yourself time to take in the outstanding beauty and extravagance like you may never see again. However, it makes the experience all the more interesting if you envision yourself as a peasant living within an hour of such a place, or even as a member of Louis XIV's court, restricted everyday by the intense paranoia of the Sun King. Attached to a geographical location is typically an explanation and beneath that explanation is typically a light into the culture of the time period and its people and also a story that unravels the truth beneath the glitter and glory.

The City of Light

After sightseeing all day, we saved what is arguably the most famous landmark of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, for last. The city of Paris covers an area of 4661 square miles and the Eiffel tower, at 984 feet tall is hard to miss! I had seen the tower in the distance from the Louvre and Arch de Triumph, but being that close to the famous structure took my breath away. Before climbing to the top, we decided to have a picnic dinner of French bread, cheese and wine under the tower while taking in the French culture. We were exhausted because we had been walking around the enormous city for hours visiting all the other popular tourist sites. It felt wonderful to finally sit and rest.

It was a beautiful, sunny late afternoon in Paris. As we sat on a blanket enjoying our picnic, I felt as though I was the luckiest person in the world! I tried to take in as much of the experience as possible. The sunny skies, the beautiful green parks, the aroma of French food in the air, and the romantic sound of French conversation almost seemed surreal! I truly was experiencing French culture at its best.

While in Paris, besides experiencing the culture, I also learned some history. The Eiffel tower was designed and built by Gustave Alexandre Eiffel, a French civil engineer, for the 1889 Paris World Fair. The tower was constructed from 7000 tons of iron. At that time, it was the tallest structure in the world. The lower section has four gigantic legs which arch inward. There are observation decks on three levels. The first level observation deck is also a restaurant. There are stairs and an elevator to reach the different levels. I was amazed to learn that there are a meteorologist station and a radio station at the top of the tower. For those in good physical condition, you can climb the stairs to the top observation level in about 45 minutes!

After we finished our picnic my friends and I had a sudden burst of energy. We decided that we did not want to wait in the long line for an elevator ride, we would climb the steps and take in the amazing structure one step at a time. I am not going to lie, by the time I reached the second level, my calves were burning and all of my energy had disappeared. We watched the sun set and decided since we were already 2/3 of the way to the top, we would wait an hour for the elevator to the top. The second to the third level is only accessible by an elevator. After a long wait we finally arrived at the top. From the top observation deck there was a breathtaking view of the entire city of Paris. At night, when the city is glowing from the lights, it seems even more magical!

While the Eiffel tower is a world landmark today, when it was built, it was not popular. Parisians thought it was too modern for Paris. As a matter of fact, the most famous artists of Paris started a petition to have the “monstrosity” torn down. Eventually, with world fame, the people of Paris grew fond of their Eiffel Tower which was the foundation in creating the modern skyscraper. Today the people in France consider the Eiffel Tower a national symbol of strength and simple beauty.

Tip: The tower erupts into a shower of twinkling light every hour each evening. I highly recommend you seeing it! If you want more information on the Eiffel Tower, or plan on visiting the famous structure and want to buy you ticket to the top early the following website is helpful! http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

C'est La Vie, Paris

Paris was more than anything I have ever imagined. For something that I had seen in countless movies, I really didn’t know what to expect.

Something that instantly popped out at me was the size of Paris. Pulling into the train station, I was surrounded by a range of diverse people, which made me think back to the reading section on populations. I thought about how Europe’s population has gone up and back down throughout the centuries, but Paris didn’t look like it was currently struggling in the population department. It seemed that everywhere we went, there were people, and a large diverse group of people at that. As one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe, it is also a large tourist region.
Something that makes the population in the region so massive is the urban feel that people get when they come to this infamous city. From our class readings we learned why people wanted to move in cities instead or more rural areas. After seeing Paris, I now know why they wanted to do this. Living in a city there are more opportunities to get work. With a city like Paris, they also use the Seine River as transportation of goods and people. This made me understand more of the urbanization that went on in Paris’s history because people wanted to able to access the things that the city had to offer, like it’s resources.

Going to such an infamous city made my preparation a little different, because there was so much to cover in so little time. When reading my European guide book, something that I found interesting was the fact that my it mentioned that we should save the money from splurging on museums and spend it on the amazing French food. I disagree with this because I almost would have to say to do the opposite. Although French food is great, it’s also pricey. If I wrote my own travel book, I’d say the opposite and that spending the money on museums and sights is more of a pleasure because you get a full perspective of what the city has to offer. And that is exactly what we did.

In my case, spending money on the ‘hop on hop off’ bus was the best decision made this entire trip. This is a double-decker bus that takes you all over France to the major sights. And I must say, it was the best 29 Euro I’ve ever spent! This was the perfect way to see everything in Paris at once, especially if it is your first time to the city.

We literally got to see everything we wanted to see in just one day. My group and I also had the perfect day to do this, it was sunny and warm! We sat on top of this bus and got to drive all over Paris. The only challenge we had come our way, would be dodging tree branches!

Hopping on the bus, we were apprehensive to get going and start seeing all of the destinations. Were we going to have to get out at every stop, or would we be able to pick and choose what we wanted to see? I was really unsure of the whole idea, but I was later proven wrong.

First stop on the ‘hop on hop off’ tour, the Louvre. The Louvre was extraordinary and huge. It wrapped around the whole area we were in. It looked like a large palace from the outside, but filled with windows. I couldn’t believe the size until we actually went into the building and realized how lost we were. Divided into different genres of art like Renaissance and Greek, our first stop would be to find the infamous Mona Lisa. Once we found her section, I realized that the Mona Lisa was super small. I’d say about the size of an 8X10 picture. I was really shocked when I saw this because this is a globally recognized piece of art that almost everyone knows about, and it was so much smaller than I ever imagined. For something that contains so much history, I was really shocked to see its real size. This tour was a great way to learn more about the different genres of art and also the history of Europe. Geographically, this made me think of how much history is behind the works of art in the Louvre. This made me take into consideration the history that I was witnessing. After touring the museum I realized that the guidebook was wrong and it was definitely worth the trip and money!

Our next stop would be the Arc de Triumph, which I really didn’t know that much about. But when we drove up to it on our bus, I got more of a sense of its historical significance and meaning to the city of Paris. After seeing its large size and beautiful artistry engraved in the stone, I wanted to look more into why this was so symbolic to the people of France.

The Arc de Triumph is a monument in Paris that honors those who fought for France during the Napoleonic Wars. Something that I definitely observed on the monument was that at the top of the arc there all are of the names of generals and wars that were fought. Designed by artist Jean Charlgrin, this one of the most famous monuments in Paris its location is significant to its Parisian symbolism. Its location at the right bank of the Seine is also significant to its cultural meaning to the French people because it is also located by other historical monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. This monument reminded me of last weeks theme of the different history’s of the cultures we are learning because this monument stands as a reminder to all of those who fought and risked their lives during that time. For some more information, I looked here, http://bit.ly/T35Nj

After this stop, we traveled on the tour bus to the Eiffel Tower. Which is another symbol to the people of France. This iron tower that is also globally known, stands 1,063 feet tall and is said to be the same height as an 81-story building. As a prominent symbol to France and Paris, it tells a lot about the history of the country. I didn’t know a lot about this figure until I looked more into it online. Originally made for a World’s Fair marketing the celebration of the French Revolution, it was often criticized by the public. Many did not like this “eyesore” and were certain that it did not fit in the region that it was in. Since it is the tallest building in Paris, many can see it from miles away, which made many people apprehensive at first. When looking at this though, I saw a lot of history and cultural symbolism because this is a piece of art that is known by all people in the world.

Although I went into the trip not knowing a lot about Paris, or even France for that matter, I came out knowing more than I expected to find out in a little amount of time. This weekend changed my perspective of Paris, and Parisian people. I recommend going to this city, because once you do, you’ll fall in love with it just as I did.

Visit the Gardens at the Louvre!

The Louvre Museum is not only the world's most visited museum, but is also an iconic piece of France's history. This museum and the art within is a perfect representation of French nationalism, culture, and symbolism of merging boarders and territories.

Because I have never taken much interest in art, I wanted to be knowledgeable about the museum and the artifacts within it before we arrived. What is now known as the Louvre Museum was built in the 12th century under

Philip II as his royal fortress. But when King Louis XIV came into power, he resided in Versailles and turned the Louvre into a storage spot for all of his art and other valuables. Then, during the French Revolution, the National Assembly decided that the Louvre should be used as a museum to display the nation's masterpieces.

Upon reading this brief history, I realized that the Louvre was more than just a museum, home to over 35,000 pieces of art, it was a symbol of French nationalism. This monument came to be a museum for the French to

show all of their great works of art accumulated within the nation. The residents were proud of their possessions and artists, and wanted everyone to know it.

When I entered the courtyard of the Louvre Museum the first thing that caught my eye was the giant glass pyramid, it serves as the main entrance (which actually took us a minute to figure out). Because I had no idea about the presence of this pyramid, I researched the construction of it when I returned to Luxembourg. As it turns out, there is no history behind this architecture, it simply attracted more visitors (in fact, double since its completion).

I realized before I entered the museum that the history and the architecture alone was interesting enough to satisfy my curiosity, even if I did not find the art interesting. But the result was the exact opposite. Upon entering the

museum I found each exhibit, corridor, and era of art to be more interesting than the last.

The Louvre is home to over 50,000 Egyptian pieces of art. The scrolls, mummies, jewelry, tools, and paintings were originally part of the royal collection, but was augmented by Napoleon soon after. This was my favorite exhibit because of the reality the art brought to the Egyptian culture. Without seeing this portion of the museum, I don't think my experience would have been nearly as enriching. In addition to Egyptian artifacts, there are also exhibits pertaining to the Near Eastern, Greek, Roman, and Islam cultures including sculptures, decorative art, and paintings (it is also home to the Mona Lisa). It would be impossible to spend an extensive amount of time in each exhibit, so my group found ourselves divided within the museum in order to spend time on the works that interested us the most, this seemed to be the best strategy to get the most out of the experience.

After two and half hours of navigating through different works of art of several centuries, my group of friends and I found ourselves strolling through the Louvre Gardens and Tulleries. This was by far the best part of the entire Louvre experience. The gardens date back to the Neolithic period and were later redesigned to please King Lou

is XIV. After King Louis, Napoleon added his own flair by having statues transferred to the gardens from Versailles. Unfortunately though, the Paris Commune riots destroyed the gardens and the statues. Over the last few decades, the gardens have been completely restored and now

offer a relaxing place for visitors to walk, eat, and relax. It is definitely worth anyone's time to sit by a pool to sun bathe and have a picnic.

Through this experience of architecture, art, and culture, I learned the symbolism behind the Louvre and the history it represents. This museum is not just a storehouse for historical pieces, but represents the togetherness of multiple cultures and the meaning their history has to the French. Without the works of art from Greek, Islam, and Eastern cultures, the Louvre would not be nearly as meaningful, nor without the architecture of the glass pyramid, or the history of King Louis XIV and Napoleon. Because of the combination of these cultures and combinations of territories, the French have a world renowned icon to be proud of, a symbol of their nationalism.

For more information on the Louvre, please visit: www.louvre.fr

J'aime Paris

One experience that has always been on my bucket list, (yes you can have a bucket list at the age of twenty) is to climb to the very, tippy-top of the Eiffel Tower. Today was the day that I would trek to the uppermost tip of the tallest, extremely intimidating 1,063-foot tall monument in the Champ de Mars district in Paris, France. As I walked over to the line for the stairs with a group of friends I pretended to be carefree, adventurous showing no apprehension of this feat. I looked up; I mean way up I had to completely arch my entire neck back to gaze at the innovative woven metal structure, that’s when I got a pit in my stomach. I hesitantly made my way through the line until finally our group reached the entrance to the endless winding fragile looking metal stairs. We started our journey, it was dusk, and I was just waiting for the sun to set and my nervousness to escalate. We made it to the first level after, this level was not so scary, and it was guarded with a chain link metal fence, making it nearly impossible to fall. We needed to go higher, my group was up for the adventure, my heart dropped and I kept haphazardly jogging up to the second level. The panoramic view from this level was more beautiful that I can describe, but still we needed to go higher, we HAD to go to the top. To me this seemed unnecessary, but I decided I had to do it, I couldn’t be a chicken. It was dark now out the city lights were illuminating the sky; I turned and waited again in line to reach the final level the third level, the actual top of the Eiffel Tower. We reached the “lift” I held on to the bar in the elevator for dear life, my hands were calmly, my mouth was dry, I was going to actually do it. The door opened, I looked around, my ears popped, and I was actually more than 1,000 feet in the air. I ran over to the windows to see the view, this made this entire adventure more than worth all the apprehension and fear. I gazed out the series of windows to see stunning lights of the city, any color you could think of red, blue, yellow, green. The view was full with organically grown streets and districts of Paris that streamed out like a tree root. These streets and districts are densely populated and are part of the city center or the Champ de Mars District. I looked out again, I pointed out the Bastille District where I had been staying. I noticed the defined cut boulevard of the Champ de Lysee, a key route that had been cut out in the 19th century as a main route of the city. Spanning across all of the districts, boulevards and lights was the Seine River a boundary of the city. Reflecting over and actually seeing this view made me see Paris as a city of beauty but also of power. The Eiffel Tower personifies this in that it is part of the cultural identity of Paris that was build as an entrance for the World’s Fair in 1889 is symbol as well as a means of viewing the entire city.

Under the Big Top

If you asked any Parrothead (http://www.phip.com/) what they thought about being “under the big top,” they would probably talk about seeing Jimmy Buffett’s 2010 Under the Big Top Tour or possibly their feelings of his song by the same name. While these certainly worth talking about, there is another fascinating “big top” which is worth talking about. That is the Sacre Coeur church in Paris which boasts some of the largest domes you might find on European churches. Consecrated in 1919 the Sacre Coeur stands at 83 meters high, 83 meters wide and 35 meters long. (http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/us/basilique.html) The Sacre Coeur is a perfect example of Renaissance architecture (though it was built well after the renaissance movement) as defined by its heavy reliance on symmetry and its prominent usage of domes. It is also worth noting that the church incorporates Byzantine traits by using enormous and elaborate domes, unusual for Roman Catholic churches. Ironically the church is built on the top of a hill overlooking all of Paris and can be seen from anywhere in Paris. This is ironic because the Renaissance architecture movement was started as a reaction against the ornate Baroque period, rooted in classical styles with an emphasis on simplicity. One would expect, then, that a Renaissance church would be much more quaint and less of a prominent public symbol.


This paradox is what makes the Sacre Coeur so fascinating, and thus a place one must visit to truly experience Paris. The Sacre Coeur was built as more than just a building, it was also meant to be a symbol of French nationalism. As such it needed to be something big and noticeable, something which sent the message that France is powerful and wealthy. That explains why designer Paul Abadie chose to build such an iconic church in a very tactical location.(http://www.essential-architecture.com/ARCHITECT/ARCH-Abadie.htm)

(http://de.hotels.com/ImageDisplay?neighborhoodId=800104&type=NeighborhoodHighlight.htm)

So now when one visits the Sacre Coeur they are exposed to a unique mixture of messages. In my visit to the Sacre Coeur I was amazed by the beauty and the organic appearance of the church, then after my visit when I’d see the church from anywhere in the city I was reminded of the visit. This constant reminder is exactly what the French Catholics were hoping to create for visitors of Paris. This church works in convincing the visitor that the culture which built it had tremendous power and wealth. Even in realizing that showing off was one of their hopes, one is simply struck by the beauty and grandeur of the church. Quite simply put, it is a must see in the city of lights.

Another thing which adds to the mystique of the Sacre Coeur is that there is a rule against taking photos inside the church. Most European churches allow visitors to take pictures or ask that they take non-flash photography only. But the Sacre Coeur strictly prohibits inside photography at all. Due to that rule it is only in visiting the church that one can see what its inside looks like. To build suspense I’ll mention that the inside of the church is stunning and another perfect example of Renaissance architecture. Yet in the spirit of adventure and tourism I refrain from describing the particulars of the inside of the church, save that it has one of the largest tile arrangements behind the altar I’ve ever seen.

Yet amidst the awe inspiring appearance of the Sacre Coeur, there is a sense of humility you may feel around it. It is as if the massive edifice makes you feel small under its weight. But being in this environment is an experience you may find nowhere else. That is why I recommend exploring the church, because just as you might find at a Buffett concert, at the Sacre Coeur you are guaranteed to have a “big time under the big top,” and of course “there’s nothing wrong with that.” (http://www.buffettnews.com/resources/songs/?song=674)

An Eiffel of Paris

The train ride to Paris looked a lot like Ohio but a little greener. For a little over two hours I did not see any form of civilization and thousands of acres of farmland. So I was very excited to arrive in the "city of love" and the city some of the best shopping.

Before stepping of the train and into the city, I did not know what to expect from the city. I was unaware of its beauty or its history. I did not even know that the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 as the entrance to the World’s Fair. I assumed it was just a symbol for freedom. In reality, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world and the tallest building in Paris at a staggering 324 meters. Just to put its height into perspective, it is about 81 stories high!

There are three levels. You can either climb up 300+ stairs to the second level or take an elevator. However, you can only take an elevator to the third level that takes you to the very tip of the monument. I was exhausted from the site seeing I did earlier in the day so naturally I took the elevator. I only went to the second level and that was high enough at 115 meters. From this level, I had an eye full of Paris. I was able to look around and spot all of the historic monuments that define Paris- Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Basilique du Sacre Coeur (just to name a few).

I also noticed the urbanization of the city. There is a distinct boundary that separates the city of Paris from the rural areas of France. It seems like nobody wants to live outside of the city, which is why the city is heavily populated with 2.2 million residents. There is not enough space in the city for its population, so you will see lots of tall buildings and rarely will you see a backyard or front yard.

The line for the elevator to take me down to the ground level was too long to wait so I took the stairs down. On my way down I passed a mother who was physically dragging and pulling her son up the stairs. This child literally looked like he was born yesterday so if he can do it, anyone can.

The security guard at my hotel told me that he pays 850,000 Euros for an apartment twice the size of my hotel room. I quickly informed him that he could live so comfortable with that amount of money in America. He rebuttal by saying he could never leave Paris for America because he does not agree with American politics. I thought that was interesting because America is suppose to be the land of the free and because he could have easily lived the ‘American Dream’ to some extend with that amount of money.

One weekend in Paris does not due the city justice. It is a city with endless history and great food. One day, I hope to revisit the city (preferably around the same time as the French Open). For more information and interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower, you can follow these links:

Fun Facts: http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-eiffel-tower-2939.html

Information: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

Map of Paris & its Monuments: http://paris.france-province.net/map_paris_france.jpg

An Underground World

To the average tourist, like me, the hustle and bustle of the French lifestyle can be overwhelming at first. Foot traffic is everywhere, and people whizz by speaking rapidly in foreign languages that are not easily distinguishable. Automobiles are not popular above ground, but in its place exists an entirely different world underground.

Below the congested city of Paris lies the metropolitan, a complicated bus system that can be navigated by maps consisting of lines of different colors that represent buses that take people to various places. Upon arriving to Paris, France on the fast speed train from Mets, we were immediately thrust into this crazy underground world. We went to the tourist information desk first thing and were told to take line 2 to line 4 and get off at Place de Clichy. To us, it sounded like the man was speaking a foreign language, ‘the metro language’, but to him he was simply trying to help us find our way to Hotel Darcet. The metropolitan existed as early as 1845, but the first line was not completed until July 1900. Since then the metro has become one of the main means of transportation in Paris and the various colored lines on maps are just a way of life for those that live in this beautiful city. In fact, this transportation system is seen as a model of efficient public transportation. The metropolitan consists of 14 lines, 300 stations, and over 3,500 cars. It is said that every building in Paris is within 500 meters of a metropolitan and from my experience this weekend this holds true. Our hotel was a mere two minute walk from the station and anywhere we needed to go we could get to via connecting metro trains. Sometimes, like in our trip to the Louvre, it was a one stop shot on Line 1, but other times, we had to take as many as 3 connecting buses to reach our final destination.

Upon jumping onto the train station for the first time, I found myself extremely overwhelmed. A few of the people I was with were instant naturals at navigating the various colored lines of the buses, while others just sat there helplessly waiting for others to figure it out for them. I found myself in the middle. Sometimes I was able to quickly decipher where we were headed and how we needed to get there and other times the environment around me was too overwhelming for me to concentrate. The underground atmosphere was filled with scents of body odor and old perfume that made my nose wrinkle, hundreds of people dashing from one line to another that moved faster than I could blink, and dirty railings that forced me to keep my hands in my pockets. To some, this underground world created natural boundaries that helped people easily get from one place to another. To me, it was an unknown confusing world that left me feeling less confident than my usual self.

After a few minutes of waiting, the horn blew and the metro came to a screeching stop. Instantaneously, herds of people started pouring in and out of the various sliding doors. People pushed and shoved to get to where they needed to be before the doors closed and as soon as they did I felt trapped. People were standing shoulder to shoulder on all sides of me and I could barely see my feet, let alone try and protect my belongings from being taken from me. This is the first time I realized how overpopulated Paris truly is. Since 2005, inequality in France has been evident, especially in Paris. The 11.7 million inhabitants form one of Europe’s largest metropolitan areas, but (http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/19/paris-officials-push-huge-suburban-transit-investment-to-increase-metropolitan-mobility/) much of the population lives hours away from the city center via public transportation. This fact, along with many others, is one of the main reasons why so many people are forced to take public transportation and why the metropolitan world underground seems to be a territory of its own.

After our first time navigating the city alone we realized that the metropolitan in France truly can be considered a model of efficient public transportation. We were able to find our way the entire weekend without getting lost. Surprising, right? We thought so, too, but we learned quickly that as long as you know where you are, where you’re going, and how to read the map then travelling shouldn’t be hard. This is easier than it sounds. For our first trip, we decided that we would meet our friends at the Louvre at 10:00 sharp. To make this happen we decided to leave at 9:15 which gave us plenty of time to figure out where we were going without getting overwhelmed. To get there, we had to take line 1, which I learned after some research was the first line completed and has been called line 1 ever since. The line used to run from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot but has since been extended to run from Château de Vincennes to La Défense, which is what we used it for on our first trip. (http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Paris/Paris_metro.shtml ) .

After leaving Paris, I now feel confident about navigating the metropolitan world and would willingly accept the challenge to take on the fast paced, claustrophobic lifestyle that exists under the streets of France.

"PVF parties" in Paris

I went to stay with some friends in Paris recently, who taught me something about French culture that I was unaware of till now. To give a little background, these friends of mine are all French citizens, who I met while they were studying abroad at Miami University in the fall of 2008. I was lucky enough to have one of the French students as my roommate, and a good friendship developed as a result. From that friendship, I was introduced to all of the other French students who were at the university that fateful semester.

During my recent visit, they told me they would have a "PVF party" at the apartment. Needless to say, I was confused by the abbreviation and asked about it. It stands for (P)ain, (V)in, and (F)romage. Translated, it means a "Bread, Wine, and Cheese party". It is one of the most frequent social pastimes for French people when they get together and socialize. Think of how it is for Americans and the love we have for outdoor barbeques and that is how popular PVF parties are for the French. Everybody who is invited to these parties will each bring along a bottle of wine, some kind of cheese, a baguette or a combination of all three. The end result is a lot of food and wine being enjoyed, music playing, and good conversation among everyone involved.

That night, as the fun was getting underway, I poured myself a glass of wine and took a few pieces of cheese as it was being passed around the group. There was a great deal of talk going on, which was always in French unless someone there was conversing with me. The whole atmosphere was very relaxed and sophisticated. Some jazzy music played in the background and frequently, I would hear the buzz of the doorbell as many more guests continued to come. Each time someone new would arrive, everyone in the party would be sure to greet them before returning to socializing with others. The most common greeting between party-goers was two kisses on the cheek, one on each side. This form of greeting is called "faire la bise". Since I was always involved in these French greetings too, my cheeks were well kissed by the end of the night. A little more insight about these French social gestures can be found here: http://french.about.com/library/weekly/aa051801f.htm As the night wore on, the consumption of bread, cheese, and wine started to take on a deeper meaning than as just simple food and drink.

The theme of the “PVF parties” represent a way to come together in a celebration of French cuisine and friendship, even if those present were meeting for the first time. The unifying factors of these gatherings (food & wine) are meant to acknowledge what it means to be not just a Parisian, but a member of the French nation. It was revealing for me to discover that these factors seem to be loved by every French person, for I’ve never met anyone who is French who doesn’t love good food and wine. It all seems very representative of what the French have in common, despite not actually knowing each other personally. Therefore, this notion of food and wine seems almost political and a part of the nationalism that exists in this country as an important shared interest. I could almost be sure that it’s illegal for a French citizen not to enjoy bread, wine, and cheese. Some more background of the relationship with food and wine that the French happily maintain can be found in these links: http://french.lovetoknow.com/History_of_French_Wine_and_Cheese and http://hubpages.com/hub/Cheese--Bread-and-Red-Wine-Diet-So-chic--so-French.

Even in Paris itself, the number of wine retailers, bakeries, and fromageries is astounding. No neighborhood in this French capital is complete without having at least one of each within an easy walk for the residents living nearby. As a matter of fact, on the bottom floor of my friend’s apartment building, there is a space leased out to a bakery. Every time I enter the building, the aroma of freshly baked bread always greets me, making me hungry for a croissant or a baguette.

Of all the times that I’ve visited Paris (with the number now being three), I would always see some sight or learn some new bit of the French language that helped immerse me further into what it meant to be a French citizen. However, this particular weekend, I believe I learned a far more valuable lesson about what the French have in common which a visit to the Louvre or the Eiffel tower cannot teach; the way they identify with each other through their love of good wine, cheese, and bread. It’s certainly a weekend I won’t forget any time soon.