Johnny's World Travels: France
This is Paris
The Eiffel Tower is an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the River Seine in Paris . It is the tallest structure in Paris and among the most recognized symbols in the world. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel , it is a premier tourist destination, as evidenced by this photo that I took, on a clear day, in 1994.
The tower stands 300 m (986 ft) high, which is about 75 stories. Including the 24-m (72-ft) antenna, the structure is 324 m (1058 ft) high which is about 81 stories. At the time of its construction in 1889 , the tower was the tallest structure in the world tallest_structures, a title it retained until 1930 , when New York City 's Chrysler Building (319 m/1046 ft tall) was completed (although the tower was still taller if the respective spires of the two structures were excluded).
Long considered the paragon of style, Paris is the most glamorous city in Europe. It is at once deeply traditional – a village-like metropolis whose inhabitants continue to be notorious for their hauteur – and famously cosmopolitan.
Another one , around the Eiffel Tower.
At times, Paris can feel inhumanly magnificent, the arrogance of its monuments encompassing the chilly pomp of the Panthéon, the industrial chic of the Eiffel Tower and the almost spiritual glasswork of the Louvre pyramid. Yet it also operates on a very human scale, with exquisite, secretive little nooks tucked away from the Grands Boulevards and very definite little communities revolving around games of boules and the local boulangerie and café.
In the great local tradition of the flâneur, or thoughtful boulevard-stroller, Paris is a wonderful city for aimless wandering. Relaxed quarters such as the vibrant Marais, elegant St-Germain and romantic Montmartre are ideal for street-browsing, shopping and café-sitting, and the city's lack of open space is redeemed by beautiful formal gardens, by the pathways and pavements that run beside the River Seine, and by endless hidden or unexpected havens. And everywhere you go, historic landmark buildings and contemporary architectural wonders remind you of the city's pride and grandeur - and stop you getting lost.
You can even get your picture taken with some of the locals!!This one taken in 1994. As you can see in the foreground, security is always at hand.
The River Seine runs right through Paris!!
You can take a romantic ride on any one of these boats, along the River Seine, which is lovely !!, especially in the evenings, when the lights in Paris are most brilliant!!
River Seine, again.
The good scenery around the Eiffel Tower and the river Seine, again.
As in any major cities, the area around the Eiffel Tower is regularly filled with street vendors, trying to sell you anything from City postcards, to jewelry. The City, apparently doesnt allow it, and these vendors,usually young people, constantly roll in and roll away their merchandise, as soon as the Police or Security appears!! so you got to be quick, if you are negotiating to buy!! because Security is constantly at hand to wisk the unauthorized vendors away!!
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