France Galleries

Tour Eiffel, Paris : Built in 1887, this Parisian landmark is the tallest structure in Paris and one of the most recognized structures in the world. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel.

Tour Eiffel, Paris

Built in 1887, this Parisian landmark is the tallest structure in Pari ...

Updated: May 31, 2008 2:01am PST

Place de la Concorde, Paris : In 1763, a large statue of king Louis XV was erected at the site to celebrate the recovery of the king after a serious illness. The square surrounding the statue was created later, in 1772, by the architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel. It was known as the place Louis XV. In 1792, during the French revolution, the statue was replaced by a another, large statue, called 'Liberté' (freedom) and the square was called place de la Révolution. A guillotine was installed at the center of the square and in a time span of only a couple of years, 1119 people were beheaded here. Amongst them many famous people like King Louis XVI, Marie-Antionette, and revolutionary Robespierre, just to name a few. After the revolution the square was renamed several times until 1830, when it was given the current name 'Place de la Concorde'.

Place de la Concorde, Paris

In 1763, a large statue of king Louis XV was erected at the site to ce ...

Updated: May 04, 2008 9:24pm PST

L'église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, Paris : L'église de la Madeleine, or L'église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine (or simply "La Madeleine"), is a church in a commanding position in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, in its present form designed as a temple to the glory of Napoleon's army. Note the lovely sculptures on the pediment.

L'église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, Paris

L'église de la Madeleine, or L'église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine (or sim ...

Updated: May 04, 2008 4:24pm PST

Canal Cruise, La Seine River, Paris : Second day in Paris and Judy & I took a river cruise on the Seine, this is life on the river as we saw it on a bleak day.

Canal Cruise, La Seine River, Paris

Second day in Paris and Judy & I took a river cruise on the Seine, thi ...

Updated: Apr 26, 2008 1:30pm PST

Notre Dame de Paris : Often known simply as Notre Dame in English, is a Gothic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in Paris, France, with its main entrance to the west. It is still used as a Roman Catholic cathedral and is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris. Notre Dame de Paris is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. It was restored and saved from destruction by Viollet-le-Duc, one of France's most famous architects. Notre Dame translates as "Our Lady" from French.

Notre Dame de Paris

Often known simply as Notre Dame in English, is a Gothic cathedral on ...

Updated: Apr 22, 2008 1:39am PST

Basilique du Sacré Coeur, Paris : On the 16th day Judy & I caught the train to Paris - we visited the Sacre Coeur the same afternoon. The site of the 19th-century Roman Catholic basilica is traditionally associated with the beheading of the city's patron, Saint Denis, in the 3rd century. According to legend, after he was martyred, the bishop Denis picked up his severed head and carried it several miles to the north where the city of Saint Denis stands today.

Basilique du Sacré Coeur, Paris

On the 16th day Judy & I caught the train to Paris - we visited the Sa ...

Updated: Apr 19, 2008 5:08am PST