Only a ten minute stroll from my apartment, the Jardin du Luxembourg is a much needed relief of greenery in Paris. But this jardin is much more than a garden. In the typical French fashion, it's neatly manicured and lined with statues of famous French patrons and saints. Ambling around this park, I was very much surprised to discover a Versailles-like mansion at the very back. I thought it was just shrubs and lavender bushes. But in fact I had found the Palais du Luxembourg, built in 1612 at the order of Henry IV's wife Marie de Médicis. The extravagant mansion, which today is the chamber of French senators, is neatly finished off with a pond out front. With the water trickling down from the fountain and the ducks paddling along, the benches overlooking the garden and palace become the perfect lunch spot on a sunny day.
The girls and I resting after walking all around the park.
One of the many statues in the garden surrounded by blooms.
Imagine my surprise to stumble upon this humble abode! Nobody told me there was a palace in the garden...
L'Arc de Triomphe
Although Napoléon commissioned the Arc in 1806 to commemorate the victories of his Grand Armée, the great French leader did not live long enough to see the completion of this monument. The Arc is similar in design to traditional Roman arcs, except much larger. Actually, the Arc de Triomphe is the largest triumphal arc in the world at 161 feet in height and 144 feet in width. I would've loved to have seen the undoubtedly intricate detailing underneath the arc, but as the monument sits in the middle of Paris's biggest traffic hub, crossing the square is likely to end in sudden death. All the same, the Arc is one of Paris's most famous attractions and is yet another good excuse for the French to talk about Napoléon.
Cathédrale de Notre Dame
Notre Dame sits in the very heart of Paris cushioned on the banks of the Seine River. A writer once referred to the famous cathedral as a "vast symphony of stone," emphasizing both the beauty and strength so elegantly carved into the church.
Annie and I outside Notre Dame.
The arc above the main entrance of the cathedral.
Our group!
Le Panthéon
In the 5ème arrondissement near St Michel, stands the Panthéon. A grandiose building representative of France's esteemed contributions to the world, it is home to the remains of some of the most famous people in French history. To name a few, Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Marie Curie all currently reside in the chilly tombs of the Panthéon.
Université de Paris, law school--this building is just opposite the Panthéon.
Inside the Panthéon
Marianne, the symbol of France.
The tomb of Rousseau.
The tomb of Voltaire. It's a bit ironic that they placed the tomb of Voltaire directly opposite from the tomb of Rousseau, seeing as the two were long standing rivals and often getting into bitter disputes. I wonder what they would think of being tomb neighbors!
La Sorbonne
Our French Civilization professor, Sabrinelle, is also a professor at La Sorbonne, one of the most prestigious and well known universities in the world. Conveniently located on Place de la Sorbonne, the breathtakingly beautiful building has a surprisingly unpretentious air to it. Who knows...maybe in a few years I'll be one of the students milling around Place de la Sorbonne, sipping a cappuccino while studying for my littérature final!
Le Quartier Latin
Just a little ways from La Sorbonne and the Panthéon is Rue Mouffetard. Sabrinelle, our chirpy professor and excellent tour guide around the Quartier Latin, told us that Rue Mouffetard is a very famous street in Paris, full of restaurants, bars, and shops, and clamoring with students. A few days later, my friends and I had dinner on Mouffetard then went bar hopping in the area. Sabrinelle was right! The streets were bustling with students, both Parisian and foreign, who were all very keen on helping us practice our French.
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