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The Iconic Grand Palais
The French flag flies proudly atop the historic monumental hall built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris. The Grand Palace has just recently undergone major renovations and is once again in use: “dedicated by the Republic to the glory of French art.”
Some cities feel like old friends. Whether you’ve visited many times or never, the streets and buildings are familiar from popular culture, pictures, and movies.
Paris is like that – around every corner there is a familiar “Aha!” site.
I had a couple of short stopovers in Paris during a recent rainy September. I found myself a modest hotel room in the 5ème Arrondissement – the Latin Quarter. Leaving the cameras packed up, I set off on foot with just my iPhone15Pro and an umbrella. On my first stay, I visited the parks in my neighbourhood (see: In the Streets and Gardens).
On my second stay, I decided to book myself a visit to the Louvre (Watch this space!) and took a boat trip on the Seine.
The Seine is the very heart of Paris. The city was built along a bend in the river, between the confluence of the Marne and the Oise Rivers. The banks of the Seine are so crowded with historic, architectural masterpieces that they have been awarded their own UNESCO-World Heritage listing for Outstanding Universal Value.
My iPhone15Pro served as camera, map, and guide. Join me among the magnificent monuments and buildings of Paris:
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Monument to Explorer Marie Joseph François Garnier (1839-1873)
Walking around Paris is a joy – there is a new sight on every corner. This bronze statue to a celebrated a French officer and explorer was sculpted by Denys Puech and erected in 1898.
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Notre Dame des Champs
There is a church in every neighbourhood – and historically, they are predominantly Catholic.
L’Hôtel National des Invalides
This elegant building is one of my favourites! My husband and I always stayed near here on our trips to the city. Les Invalides was originally a hospital and a soldiers’ retirement home. Today, the complex contains museums and monuments relating to French military history.
The Eiffel Tower from the Seine
Designed and built by engineer Gustave Eiffel (1832 – 1923) for the 1889 World’s Fair and to mark the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution, this iconic lacy metal landmark says “Paris”.
Boat on the Seine and the Pont Alexandre III
I have walked (and bussed) the streets of Paris many times, but this was my first time seeing it from the water. Although it was rather wet and windy, the two hour trip was well worthwhile.
Le Pont Alexandre III
There are 37 bridges and footbridges across the Seine River as it winds the 13 km (8 mi) across Paris. This one, built in Beaux-Arts style and opened in 1900 for the Universal Exposition, is decorated with golden winged horses.
Pont Royal and the Louvre
Although the Louvre Castle was started around 1190, most of the current complex was built in the 17th and 19th centuries. This bridge, linking the Louvre to the Left Bank, was built from 1685-1689 and is the third-oldest bridge in Paris.
Institut de France
I get the various domes of Paris mixed up and always have to double-check! This one, housing the Académie des Beaux-Arts, was constructed between 1662 and 1688 and is an example of French Baroque Architecture.
Île de la Cité from the Seine
The stone Pont Saint-Michel, built in 1857, links the Place Saint-Michel on the Left Bank to the Île de la Cité.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Often referred to simply as Notre-Dame, this medieval French Gothic Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité was started in 1163 and largely completed by 1260. A fire in April 2019 caused serious damage.
On the Steps of Paris
Scaffolding on Notre-Dame
While the magnificent cathedral is now repaired and reopened, it was still surrounded by cranes and scaffolding when I was there.
Pont Saint-Louis
As we cruise around L’Île de la Cité, the Pont Saint-Louis, a pedestrian bridge linking that island with the Île Saint-Louis, comes into view. In the background, we see the distinctive roofline of the historic Hôtel de Ville (City Hall).
Viaduc d’Austerlitz
The beautiful single-spanned Austerlitz Viaduct was opened in 1904 to carry the Métro. The Pont d’Austerlitz in the background was built in in 1801.
Île Saint-Louis and the Pont de Sully
This little island in the river is densely populated in large townhouses: many dating to the 17th century.
More Bridges
We look through Pont Marie (opened 1635) to Pont Louis-Philippe (opened 1862).
Haussmann Architecture
Between 1853 and 1870, Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann (1809 – 1891), under the direction of Emperor Napoleon III, supervised a radical urban renewal programme of boulevards, parks, and public works in Paris. Many of the resultant buildings are still in use.
Pont Neuf – New Bridge
We pass under the oldest of the bridges across the Seine (finished in 1607) and can see the bronze statue of King Henri IV, installed on Île de la Cité by sculptor François Frédéric Lemo in 1818.
Tour Boat on the Seine
Winged Horses
Walking along the Seine after my cruise, I get another look at the Pont Alexandre III.
L’Hôtel de Salm
There is a historic landmark on every block. Originally built as an aristocratic town house by the architect Pierre Rousseau (1751–1810) between 1782 and 1787, today the Hotel de Salm houses the museum of the French Legion d’Honneur. A large Neo-classical copper dome arches over the stateroom on the river-facing side of the building.
Cheval à la Herse – Horse with a Harrow
In front of the Musée d’Orsay, people cluster around the large, black-painted cast-iron sculpture created by Pierre Louis Rouillard in 1878.
Pont des Arts
Walking back to my room after my visit to the Louvre, I was again charmed by the little kiosks along the Left Bank. Nowhere did I see the vendors of knock-off handbags that crowded the banks of the Seine on my previous visits.
And another Dome!
This dome tops Luxembourg Palace – originally built between 1615 and 1645 as the royal residence of the regent Marie de’ Medici. The palace now serves as the official seat of the French Senate. As it is next to the famous Luxembourg Gardens (see: In the Streets and Gardens of Paris), it tells me I am almost back in my own neighbourhood.
According to my phone, I walked almost 20,000 steps.
No wonder I was tired!
But, it was nothing that a glass of wine and a French meal wouldn’t fix.
Bon Appétit!
Pictures: 29September2024
