Germany and Beyond: Paris, Je t'aime!

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Paris
November 26th 2013

Published: January 3rd 2014

Berlin - Bavaria - Paris - Bastogne - Christmas Markets -- our German vacation was so full of spectacular sites, that I just would not be able to fit it all in one blog! Therefore, I will write this in sections, with each major segment of our trip having it's own post. This is segment 3: Paris! We have been planning this vacation for years! Well, sort of. My friend and old co-worker, Lisa, is ... Read Full Entry

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Launie & Jeremy Kohnekamp

Kamp

I love to travel! Love to "see the sights!" I decided to start this travel blog to add some story to our trips. As it is now, I upload the pictures to some site, and that's about it. This blog will allow us to tell the story that goes with the pictures (and help remind me of any details I forget down the road ;)). I will try my hardest to add new trips to this blog in a timely manner! If you find that I post something that happened ages ago, it's probably that I forgot to post about it and just randomly came across the pictures! Hope you enjoy! ... full info

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Roue de Paris

I assumed this was a permanent fixture at the Place de la Concorde (the square that separates the gardens from the Champs Élysées), but I am now discovering it is not. It is a 60m totally portable ferris wheel that can be dismantled completely, and completely erected in a day or so. I was created for Paris' Millennium celebration, stayed in the city for 2 years, then has been taken to various countries to be used. It is brought back to Paris each year to light up the end of year celebrations....so for Christmas and New Year's I guess. Lucky we went when we did! :)

View from the Ferris Wheel

Looking east toward the Gardens and Louvre

View from the Ferris Wheel

Looking north toward the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basilique du Cœur) Said to be the highest point in Paris and has the best views of the city. We didn't have time to go.

View from the Ferris Wheel

Looking south

View from the Ferris Wheel

Looking NW up the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe d'etiole at the other end. The obelisk in the Place de la Concorde in the foreground is called the Obélisque du Luxor, and was one of a pair of original obelisks that stood at the entrance of the ancient Luxor Temple in Egypt. It is over 3300 years old. Do the math...it is older than dirt, and Christ, and wow....really ancient! It was gifted to the King of France in 1829 from the Egyptian Ruler Muhammad Ali Pasha to signify peace with the countries following the French Revolution. It really is miraculous and I wish I would have know all of this as I was seeing it!

View from the Ferris Wheel

Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, and the tip of the obelisk

Fountain at the Place de la Concorde (Concorde square)

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

This is usually just wide sidewalks flanked with trees, but they put a huge Christmas Market here every year. I loved it!

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

Sausages and cheese!

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

Dried and preserved fruits! We got some strawberries and cherries! So delish!

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

I could not get enough of all the butcher stands! We never see that here!

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

Santa of Liberty? lol!

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

Paris Beignets

Filled with Nutella! Oh my! They sure love their Nutella there!

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

Gingerbreads and fruitcakes galore!

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

J was in heaven with this sausage potato dish!

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

Macaroons! Not like our coconut ones...these come in all flavors....including coconut.

The Grand Palais

This is another museum. We just looked it from across the street. I would love to visit it though! The building is amazing! As are most in Paris!

The Grand Palais

Christmas Market on the Champs Élysées

Chocolats!

On the Champs Élysées

There is a large 6-way intersection at the Champs Élysées and Avenue Montaigne; the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées-Marcel-Dassault....these displays were on every corner surrounding the intersection/roundabout. They are at each of the 6 fountains surrounding the intersection. The fountain heads are removed and these light displays are put in place! Pretty, but I missed all the amazing fountains Paris has to offer. :/

3rd January 2014

Mom & Garry
non-member comment

Your tour of Paris
Thank you for your tour and wonderful narrative of the places you went. I could almost smell the air and hear all the sounds. So happy you and J had a trip of the lifetime. Hope there are many more to come

3rd January 2014

Kelly
non-member comment

c'est merveilleux!
One of the main reasons I've always wanted to go to Paris is to put a lock on that bridge! :-) So glad you stumbled upon it. The Eiffel Tower would be the second pick! Ha ha. The architecture is amazing and that Cathedral is absolutely breathtaking! I sure hope to make it to Paris one day. So glad you were able to go, plus have some family and friends to get in touch with as well. Thanks for the tour and for sharing your beautiful pictures. :)

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Germany and Beyond: Paris, Je t'aime!

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