Saturday, October 9, 2010

Visit to Paris - Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum

My research work took me to Paris for about six days. While the city may evoke a certain nostalgia for many, for me, it was not a very pleasant experience. Paris is definately not what people believe it to be. Its hyped, its lawless and its darker side weighs way too much. The only two places worth visiting perhaps are the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. The rest are ordinary places that are being marketed well for global tourists. Add to it the attitude of the French speaking natives, Paris is a city many would never like to visit twice. I will publish a detailed analysis of Paris in the next post.

The Eiffel Tower

The base of the Eiffel Tower

The view from the top. The building seen on the other end is the French military headquarter

The crowd jostling for space at the top of the tower
The river Seine from the top of the Eiffel

Standing midway on the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower at night

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6 comments:

  1. PradeepOctober 9, 2010 at 4:47 AM

    great pictures. I love them

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  2. JonathanOctober 9, 2010 at 6:49 AM

    Personally I also am not facinated with Paris. I think the fascination is perspectival. Men with some good women and wine find Paris fascinating because it suits them. For that matter a drunk man can find any place fascinating. French culture too is nothing great. I felt they don't have much to talk and boast of except forcing things through French language.

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  3. AnonymousOctober 16, 2010 at 4:03 AM

    Great pictures

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  4. J MillerOctober 16, 2010 at 4:21 AM

    I also think that Paris does not stand up to its reputation. In particularly the French speaking people make it all the more difficult for tourists. And some areas are very unsafe for anyone. One can feel this when one is in Paris. Most tourists restrict themselves to the Eiffel, Louvre and a ride in the Seine and that's wise.

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  5. AnonymousOctober 22, 2010 at 12:04 AM

    Cool pics,
    well it is abt perspective! but saying the french have little to boast about is not fair. They were the first modern nation to break free of the royal monarchy, isn't that something. Look at what they did under Napoleon, their wines and cuisines. Egyptology began when the french were in Egypt (under Napoleon's command.. he had travelled with scientists and other experts).


    Mimi
    Eiffel tower Dinner

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  6. Jerry LNovember 7, 2010 at 12:21 PM

    Hi!

    Seems the above comment is from an advertiser. Most of these travel websites take people for a ride. Paris is fine till you limit yourself to Eiffel and Louvre and maybe the Notre Dame. Anything more is definitely nothing extraordinary. I went to Paris with a lot of expectation myself but was shattered to find that the portrayal is painfully exaggerated. Playing the Napoleanic tune cannot take the city too far. The citizens have to take a crash course in hospitality. They should learn to be a lot more friendlier and learn to be sensitive to other cultures.

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