All | Aquariums | Arduino | Btrfs | Cars | Cats | Clubbing | Computers | Dining | Diving | Electronics | Exercising | Festivals | Flying | Halloween | Hiking | Linux | Linuxha | Monuments | Museums | Outings | Public | Rc | Sciencemuseums | Solar | Tfsf | Trips



Table of Content for paris:

More pages: December 2004 January 2006 January 2007 January 2008 December 2008 January 2010 December 2011 December 2012 December 2013 December 2014 December 2015 December 2016 December 2017 October 2018 December 2018 June 2019 December 2019 January 2020 December 2021 January 2022 December 2022 June 2023 December 2023





2004/12/29 Where are the pictures anyway?
π 2004-12-29 05:19 by Merlin in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
Here are some older pictures I took in early years with not so good cameras:
  • http://marc.merlins.org/Pix/Trips/199912_Paris_Christmas
  • http://marc.merlins.org/Pix/Trips/200012_Paris_Christmas
  • http://marc.merlins.org/Pix/Trips/200112_Paris_Christmas
  • http://marc.merlins.org/Pix/Trips/200212_Paris_Christmas
  • http://marc.merlins.org/Pix/Trips/200306_Paris
  • http://marc.merlins.org/Pix/Trips/200312_Paris_Christmas
  • http://marc.merlins.org/Pix/Trips/200406_Paris
  • Millenium night (1999-2000):



    And more:






    See more images for Where are the pictures anyway?
    2006/01/06 Visiting Paris
    π 2006-01-06 23:27 by Merlin in Ntrips, Paris, Trips

    My last few days in Paris were spent with Jen, being the tour-guide, and having a good time doing so. It was quite enjoyable for multiple reasons, like enjoying the view and other things at the top of the Sacré Coeur and the Eiffel Tower, as well as being a portable heat source :)
    i'll admit that there were a couple of places I hadn't gone to before, and that were nice to see too, in addition to the places I had already seen, but not in a long time. I also figure out for the first time that the Eiffel tower only flashes its strobes at night between 0 and 10 minutes past each hour, and plays lighthouse after that.
    We also did a picture contest, and I think I might have come slightly ahead, either by being more steady, or less greedy with my zoom :)
    All in all, many pictures to show, but here's an excerpt below, and the other ones are here































    2007/01/02 Paris Photos
    π 2007-01-02 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    We didn't spend as much time visiting this time because we had seen a lot last year already, but amongh other things, we visited the Louvre, well portions of it that is.
    Of course, there was still the opportunity to get some good shots of Paris too:













    We also spent some time at the Louvre, and took many more pictures there.

    See more images for Paris Photos
    2007/01/03 Paris Louvre
    π 2007-01-03 01:01 in Museums, Paris
    While in Paris one more year, amongst the visits, Jen and I spent about 5H in the Louvre, and as I knew, it's a huge museum, it would probably take a week to go through it. Either way, it was impressive to see how many floors and displays above ground and underground, were packed in there...
    Somehow we managed to walk through all of it, but obviously 5H wasn't enough to go through it properly:
















    See more images for Paris Louvre
    2008/01/07 1 week in France
    π 2008-01-07 18:46 by Merlin in Ntrips, Paris, Trips

    So little to do, so little time...

    We first spent 4 days with my dad , had the usual Jan 1st lunch at Geneviève's , and then spent a few days with my mom .









    My dad, among other things, took us to Park Astérix , which was cold as shit :), half closed, but it was nice to see what was open, as well as the ice skating show that my dad's friend setup there.













    We tried to spend a little time visiting Paris , namely La citée des sciences et de l'industrie @ La Villette, seeing an IMAX movie at La Géode, visiting le Pantéon , and an exposition on the TGV at le Grand Palais.

























    After a couple of days with my Mom, we did the usual trip to Holland to see all my aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces.













    And after just being back from Holland, we barely had enough time to pack, and see Rani, Severine, and Benji for dinner:





    After all this excitement and little sleep before the monday morning plane, we ended back up in SFO, but without our luggage :( (although it should get there by tomorrow, I'm told). Thank you again Air France, and the lazy ass folks who work at CDG.
    2008/12/30 Paris over Xmas, Capitaine Fracasse Dinner
    π 2008-12-30 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    For New Year's Eve Eve, my Mom invited us to a boat on the seine we were able to eat on while watching the views of Paris at Night. It was quite scenic. Since we didn't have time to go visit Paris, this was a good excuse to see some of it.








    Our departure day, with remnants of snow from the previous day.


    2010/01/04 A few pictures from Paris
    π 2010-01-04 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    Since we were in Paris almost 2 weeks this time, we had planned to go visit at least a couple of days. In the end due to the very cold weather we only went portion of a day since interesting things like climbing to the top of the sacré coeur were closed due to ice and cold (I think even the Effeil tower was closed some days for the same reason, which sucks since the view would have been good for a change with no smog).

    We went to see the musée de cluny:

    haha, good one :)
    haha, good one :)




    the famous dame à la licorne
    the famous dame à la licorne


    We were hoping to get more of an inside tour of Notre Dame, but we only got the 3 euro tour of 'les trésors du sacré coeur' (the outside was closed due to weather)




    closed :( too bad it'd have been cool to visit
    closed :( too bad it'd have been cool to visit

    Last, but not least was the Conciergerie, used for centuries as a prison in Paris




    Oh yes, also dinenr with our friends:


    And yes, that's it: crappy weather made it so that we didn't visit too much.

    See more images for A few pictures from Paris
    2011/12/24 Pictures of Paris over Xmas 2011
    π 2011-12-24 00:00 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    The first day, Jennifer and I went to visit a somewhat park in Bagnolet where I grew up just outside of Paris. It's not an awesome park, but for there, i's pretty good still :)



    When then took advantage of great sunny weather and unseasonably high temperatures during the winter to visit Paris:



    Jussieu, one of Paris' main universities is being rebuilt from the ground up to remove all the toxic asbestos. Doesn't look shabby right now:


    We then went towards Sacré Coeur to see if we could climb to the top this time, something I had tried 3 times already but failed due to chronic Xmas absentees, preventing staffing for ascent to the top. It was beautiful weather:






    The views from the top were great that day:













    Sainte Chapelle
    Sainte Chapelle

    Grand Palais and La Défence
    Grand Palais and La Défence

    After that we headed to the Panthéon, which I had never seen inside (bad me). Lots of famous people are burried in the crypt, and the foucault pendulum is cool:


    [rigimg:1024:302"]





    and we then went through the jardins du luxembourg towards tour Montparnasse:





    We unfortunately got to the top a tad late, just as the sun was setting, but we raced to get some pictures while the light was fading:


    Pont Alexandre 3 and Grand Palais
    Pont Alexandre 3 and Grand Palais

    Notre Dame
    Notre Dame

    La Défence in the background
    La Défence in the background



    Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries leading to l'obélixe
    Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries leading to l'obélixe

    Centre Georges Pompidou and Tour St Jacques
    Centre Georges Pompidou and Tour St Jacques





    The next day we went to the Musée des arts forains and Court St Emilion







    After that, we walked the Champs Elysées from the Obélix up to see all the little Xmas shops, and then went to see some of the displays in the last section:



    Piggie!
    Piggie!





    We then went to the Grand Palais to see a computer game expo and the faire in the main hall:






    and finished the night with Duck Choucroute and foie gras

    A few days later, with another nice day, we went to the Sacré Coeur for some great clear views of Paris and seeing their own Xmas shops:







    Centre Georges Pompidou
    Centre Georges Pompidou







    More piggie!
    More piggie!

    We then went to the nearby Place du Tertre:













    Yet another day, we went to Musée Grévin:











    Then, we walked through Passage Verdeau, Jouffroy, and Passage des Panoramas, and we finished at the Louvre's shopping gallery:










    That's all folks. 'till next year.

    See more images for Pictures of Paris over Xmas 2011
    2012/12/26 Yearly visit of Paris over Xmas
    π 2012-12-26 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    Like every year, here are a few pictures from Paris over Xmas. This year wasn't nearly as cold, and there were a few nice days:


    Louis Vuiton is happy to sell you simple handbags for as many thousand euros you're willing to pay
    Louis Vuiton is happy to sell you simple handbags for as many thousand euros you're willing to pay

    We then walked by the little Xmas houses (think winter wine and art festival):




    Macaroons! :)
    Macaroons! :)

    Piggie :)
    Piggie :)

    Chocolate tools and gears
    Chocolate tools and gears


    Made it to the end, time to turn around
    Made it to the end, time to turn around






    going nowhere, fast
    going nowhere, fast



    and we walked all the way back from l'obelisk to the arc the triomphe, time to go home
    and we walked all the way back from l'obelisk to the arc the triomphe, time to go home

    While there, we also went to see car displays, with went on its own page.

    A few days later, we went to visit le Marais, which I actually had never seen before. We stopped by a fair amount of little stores, which my dad loves doing:


    Started from centre pompidou, with a silly long line we avoided
    Started from centre pompidou, with a silly long line we avoided


    awesome scenes from top french movies
    awesome scenes from top french movies


    that is an inventive bakery :)
    that is an inventive bakery :)



    Place des Vosges, which I had never seen
    Place des Vosges, which I had never seen



    House of Victor Hugo
    House of Victor Hugo

    more stores
    more stores


    more chocolats
    more chocolats




    A couple of pictures from Auchan:


    And before going home, we went to la Villette, citée des sciences et de l'industrie with special expo on Léonard de Vinci






    an actual flying RC bird
    an actual flying RC bird

    Léonard had thought about it, just didn't have the technology back then
    Léonard had thought about it, just didn't have the technology back then


    And this is it for Paris this year. Not a whole lot, but I've already posted a lot of pictures in the past.

  • http://marc.merlins.org/perso/trips/post_2006-01-06_Visiting-Paris.html
  • http://marc.merlins.org/perso/trips/post_2007-01-07_Paris-_-Louvre-Photos.html
  • http://marc.merlins.org/perso/trips/post_2008-01-07_1-week-in-France.html
  • http://marc.merlins.org/perso/trips/post_2010-01-04_A-few-pictures-from-Paris.html
  • http://marc.merlins.org/perso/trips/post_2011-12-24_Pictures-of-Paris-over-Xmas-2011.html
  • See more images for Yearly visit of Paris over Xmas
    2013/12/20 Another Quick Tour of Paris Around Xmas
    π 2013-12-20 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    Like each year, I tried to plan some things to see while we were in Paris over Xmas. Since the weather isn't great on average, I only picked the 2.5 days that were nice outside to go out (we also spent 1.5 days at the Bourget Museum of Air and Space indoors when it was raining).

    Friday after work, we had a quick look at Boulevard Hausman to see the Xmas tree and animations and climb at the top of Printemps for a good view:








    The next nice day, we went to Jardin des Plantes to see the multiple museums there, but first I wanted to stop by les Arènes de Lutéce, which I found out about after watching a documentary on how Paris came to be what it is today over the last 800 years or so.
    As the name implies, they are left over Roman Arenas, which weren't destroyed by urbanization. There are also thermes that can be seen by special appointment (by orangerie) which I hope to see another time. To be honest, it doesn't look like much, but it's a cool part of history left in Paris:



    We also had a quick look at the Mosque next door which is more visitable than the one in Jakarta we weren't able to enter. They had a few displays to try and fix the very bad PR their religion has been getting due to their extremist followers:






    Next, we went to Jardin des Plantes which was of course a bit devoid of plants outside during the winter season. The indoor plants were nice to see though:


    these were actually artificial art
    these were actually artificial art


    Then, we saw displays on plants, animals, and evolution:




    they have an impressive compact collection
    they have an impressive compact collection


    'No, I didn't come from monkeys' always amuses me
    'No, I didn't come from monkeys' always amuses me










    There was much to see, it was a packed visit. The last nice day of sun in the forecast, I planned a boat ride on the seine leaving by the Effeil Tower:






    this put a lock on the bridge fad is getting out of hand...
    this put a lock on the bridge fad is getting out of hand...



    Paris is running out of bridges to put locks on now...
    Paris is running out of bridges to put locks on now...



    locks, locks, and more locks...
    locks, locks, and more locks...

    Musée d'Orsay is one place I yet have to go to
    Musée d'Orsay is one place I yet have to go to

    Parliament
    Parliament




    Next, we went to see the little houses selling overpriced Xmas stuff:


    very very overpriced foie gras
    very very overpriced foie gras





    after which, we walked towards the small copy of the statue of liberty on a very small island in the middle of the seine:







    this one is in French :)
    this one is in French :)

    From there, we took a cab to Arc the Triomphe and went to the top:





    can't beat the view
    can't beat the view


    winters are cold, but have cleaner and clearer air, that's a win for pictures
    winters are cold, but have cleaner and clearer air, that's a win for pictures













    We then proceeded towards place de l'Etoile while looking at things on the way



    Car manufacturers had new cars on display which I like to see each year:


























    The last outing we did was a half day to see the Chateau de Vincennes which had been totally renovated after years of me going to the school next door. The visit was quite nice what seems to be one of the oldest castles in that shape you can visit in France today.















    And that was it for this year.

    2014/12/23 Some more pictures of Paris from Dec 2014
    π 2014-12-23 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    Jennifer and I went out one day when the weather wasn't too cold, and walked around some sights around central Paris:


    Colonnes de Buren
    Colonnes de Buren







    We then went to the Musée d'Orsay, inside an old train station, a fantastic building:












    We then walked outside a bit more, now that the main bridges are filled with locks, their are selling locks on the remaining bridges, and headed to Musée de l'Orangerie by the louvre park:






    We then took the remaining time to walk the Champs Elysées and maisons de noël:








    Another day, we went to the Musée des Arts Forains with my dad:








    Another day, I drove to the Cathedral of St Denis where over thousand years of French Kings and famous people are burried:

















    the last french king and his wife, who both got beheaded for their troubles :)
    the last french king and his wife, who both got beheaded for their troubles :)

    Some other Paris pictures left over:


    map of all the churches in Paris ;)
    map of all the churches in Paris ;)

    And after all this good fun was time to fly home. We found a nice passenger in the Air France lounge ;)




    The Air France business seats we got (with miles, thankfully I didn't pay for them) were the worst business seats I had had in an overnight flight so far (true in both directions). Note to self to avoid them in the future.

    2015/12/29 Paris Xmas 2015-2016
    π 2015-12-29 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    I wasn't out in Paris much this year mostly because I was by myself, and had a little less time this year, but still, a few pictures. Actually I started at my Mom's place in Bagnolet, which happened to have a very small urban farm on top of a vacant lot, os that was kind of cool go see:






    Paris, despite the current crap that's been going on, is still nice to walk around, especially in the unseasonably warm weather:






    Paris City Hall
    Paris City Hall




    Walking around the old Paris in the middle of La Seine, always yields easy pictures ;)













    Notre Dame, pretty as always:







    Tour Saint Jacques:



    The last day, I went to and around the Google Office near St Lazare:







    unusal Xmas ornaments :)
    unusal Xmas ornaments :)



    Les Halles, still being built, alledgedly it should be finished next year
    Les Halles, still being built, alledgedly it should be finished next year


    Paroisse St Eustache
    Paroisse St Eustache



    And I had a quick look at centre pompidou which you used to just be able to enter back in the days. Now it has a 2-3H queue no matter when I've gone in the last years :-


    And that was it for Paris this year.

    See more images for Paris Xmas 2015-2016
    2016/12/31 Paris, Musée des Egouts, Tour Eiffel, Coulée Verte, Place des Voges
    π 2016-12-31 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    After meeting Mathias in Paris, we went to spend the afternoon in Paris. We started with Musée des Egouts. We got to learn how most streets in Paris have an underground street for sewers and the machiens they use to clean all the crap that accumulates in the tunnels:





    old Paris during Roman times
    old Paris during Roman times

    early plan of the underground sewer system
    early plan of the underground sewer system

    the big balls they use to clean the tunnels
    the big balls they use to clean the tunnels

    After that museum, we walked to the Effeil tower:

    new orthodox church built recently
    new orthodox church built recently





    Android Nougat in front of Nougat. Well done Mathias :)
    Android Nougat in front of Nougat. Well done Mathias :)






    A later day, we walked by the Xmas store displays:





    And yet another day, we walked La Coulée Verte, a nice green path through Paris using the right of way of an old train line not in use anymore:






    Then, we finished with Place des Voges and Victor Hugo's house:






    There are also plenty of art stores there:







    And that was it for this year, not too much, but then again we spent a bunch of our time in [Belgium this year|/perso/belgium

    2017/12/27 A few pictures from Paris
    π 2017-12-27 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    Every year, I try to go see a few things in Paris, and we didn't run out of museums yet: Paris Rodin Museum Quai Branli Museum in Paris Citée de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine Opera Bastille Backstage Cluny Museum and remains of Roman Baths

    Otherwise, I also have a few pictures of Paris proper:





    the street that used to be for cars to get out of Paris more quickly is now pedestrian. Not everyone loves this...
    the street that used to be for cars to get out of Paris more quickly is now pedestrian. Not everyone loves this...



    the worst part is how the effeil tower is now behind airport gates and bad looking temporary roof covers as gates :(
    the worst part is how the effeil tower is now behind airport gates and bad looking temporary roof covers as gates :(





    Another day, close to Opéra Bastille







    don't get conned, that's a different church, I don't like lines :)
    don't get conned, that's a different church, I don't like lines :)


    After arriving at Les Halles we went to see the small Xmas market, given that the big one at Champs Elysées was cancelled this year due to suckage of the new Paris mayor:







    After too long, Les Halles was finally re-opened:





    Nearby St Sulpice Church:




    Quick stop at Google and the grand magasins and their displays:



























    See more images for A few pictures from Paris
    2017/12/28 Paris' Citée de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine
    π 2017-12-28 01:01 in Museums, Paris
    La citée de l'architecture et du patrimoine is an interesting museum just across fom the eiffel tower. They have one floor dedicated to architecture and modern building design, while the other one has a good collection of replicas of famous buildings for study and backup.

    A few pictures:















    2017/12/28 Les Invalides Monuments and Museums in Paris
    π 2017-12-28 01:01 in Museums, Paris
    Les Invalides is actually a museum complex, including a church and tombs for Napoleon and related people. Last time I went with Jennifer, we didn't have a lot of time, and we breezed through it quickly. This time, we spent almost 5h and had to hurry a little bit at the end.






















    inflatable decoy tank, awesome
    inflatable decoy tank, awesome













    2017/12/28 Quai Branli Museum in Paris
    π 2017-12-28 01:01 in Museums, Paris
    The Quai Branly Museum collects first nations art from around the world, and it's a pretty thorough collection that is worth multiple hours, although I'll be honest that I overdozed a bit after a while, probably because I was getting tired...

    A few pictures:














    nice lighting outside the building
    nice lighting outside the building

    See more images for Quai Branli Museum in Paris
    2017/12/28 Paris Rodin Museum
    π 2017-12-28 01:01 in Museums, Paris
    The Rodin Museum is not huge, but once you add the tour of the gardens with statues, it's worth a good 1.5 to 2h, especially with the movies that show how the bronze statues are made.

    Turns out Rodin actually made the plaster models and others went through the complicated process of making the bronze statues:

    A few pictures:













    See more images for Paris Rodin Museum
    2017/12/29 Opera Bastille Backstage
    π 2017-12-29 01:01 in Museums, Paris
    Paris has 2 Opéras. The newer one, bastille, doesn't look as fancy from the outside, but has a one of a kind stage moving system that allows them to have multiple stages ready and they can be moved from center stage to underground for building or rehearsals. This allows them to play different operas on different nights.

    While it may seem overkill (no other theatre in the world has this capability to that scale, this theatre can almost host a couple of 747s hidden underground), it was super cool to see this on their backstage tour. Most of the pictures were underground up to 22m (many stories) below ground level:













    The tour finally ended up in the main stage that was going to be used that evening after our tour:







    See more images for Opera Bastille Backstage
    2017/12/30 Paris' Cluny Museum and remains of Roman Baths
    π 2017-12-30 01:01 in Museums, Paris
    So, Cluny aka the medieval museum, has quite a good collection of medieval artifacts, including exquisite books. However, it's known specifically for the "dame á la licorne" and other beautiful tapestries. We had done a quick tour in the past, but it was worth going back for a better look, and a special guided visit to the roman baths in that same building.

















    just like the Bayeux Tapestry, they have a long colorful tapestry telling a full story
    just like the Bayeux Tapestry, they have a long colorful tapestry telling a full story







    The museum's building has a colorful history, but its older parts go all the way back to much bigger roman baths that were 3 times bigger than the footprint that is left, as well as an old castle/hotel that was build next to what was left, re-using some of the walls. However, underground, you can still see what is left of the baths, and while it doesn't rival Bath, UK, or Baden Baden, Germany, it's still interesting to see that in the middle of Paris:










    some bits were clearly built later
    some bits were clearly built later

    Cool little visit.

    2018/10/14 Centre Pompidou
    π 2018-10-14 01:01 in Museums, Paris
    It has been so many years since I was able to enter Centre Pompidou due to a completely ridiculous line to even enter the building, never mind the exhibits which can have hour+ lines themselves too.
    I thought pre-purchased tickets would help, but really not so much. Thankfully the line getting in wasn't terrible, but some temporary expos still had very long lins. So, we went to see the other ones first, and thankfully they were open late, so we were able to see the other ones later.

    Modern art is well, variable. There were some interesting bits, others were so-so:
























    I definitely wouldn't put this first in a visit of Paris, starting with how hard it is to get into it, but I'm happy we got to see it eventually.

    See more images for Centre Pompidou
    2018/10/14 Musee des Arts et Metiers
    π 2018-10-14 01:01 in Paris, Sciencemuseums
    I can't believe that in all these years, I never went to Musée des Arts et Métiers. It's a wonderful science museum that focuses on machines over the years, and doesn't have the hords of screaming kids, which is a huge plus :)


































    Most people don't know that the first heavier than air aircraft was french and dated from the late 1800's. It was however a poor aircraft that was not well controlable, so history didn't remember it as the first aircraft:




    More interestingly, the museum is attached to a church was was repurposed as display space:





    We ended up spending much longer than planned there, and it was worth even more. Greatly recommended.

    See more images for Musee des Arts et Metiers
    2018/10/14 A Short Day in Paris
    π 2018-10-14 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    Coming back from Spain, we spent the afternoon in Paris before flying home the next morning.
    In hindsight, I made the mistake of lining up a couple of museums when in fact we should have just spent the entire day out to enjoy the summer in Paris, which we otherwise never get to do.

    We started with Musée des Arts et Métiers (on its own page):


    And then we went to Centre Pompidou (on its own page):


    Not often that we're in Paris during the summer, so we went around 1st Arrondissement:






    We then went to Centre Pompidou, which included fairly good views:




    Notre Dame before it burnt
    Notre Dame before it burnt

    Tour St Jacques
    Tour St Jacques





    la défense
    la défense



    Then it was time to go home. Nice lighting in CDG airport



    See more images for A Short Day in Paris
    2018/12/24 Xmas 2018 in Paris and la Défence
    π 2018-12-24 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    We went to the Louvre underground shops which have nice decorations and stores that my dad, likes:







    We then walked around the neighborhood:




    and made it to les Halles and Mairie de Paris for their little Xmas houses:
















    After seeing my mom another day, we walked around concorde and Madeleine:







    We then headed to "grands magasins" (printemps/haussmann):





    0 euro bills, cute
    0 euro bills, cute

    Another morning, we went to Musée de l'homme (museum of man) that had been recently rebuilt. It's right by the Eiffel tower:













    From there, a few nice views:



    We then headed towards la déefence where we hadn't been for 10 years. They had a big collection of Xmas houses, which sadly closed earlier than I planned, but we got to see quickly:











    Then, we saw the houses:







    The stores nearby were also nice, as well as the surroundings with lighting:









    Our last Paris views were a few views from the new Google Paris building:




    and after some food shopping, time to go home:


    2019/06/18 A Handful of Days in Paris in June
    π 2019-06-18 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    Since we were going for my Dad's birthday during a nicer season than the usual Xmas, we got to enjoy Paris with nicer weather.

    We got to enjoy the SFO Polaris Lounge and its sit down restaurant, which turns out to be fancier looking than it actually was, and had a good 45mn wait to get in. Still, we went to check it out for fun :)


    I got the Polaris Burger
    I got the Polaris Burger

    Here's a quick overview of where we went:

    Once in Paris, we went to check out Atelier des Lumières, which used an old warehouse to project nice stories. One was about Japan:









    The longest display was Van Gogh:










    Not too far was cimetary Père Lachaise, the most famous cimetary in France:



    Jim Morison
    Jim Morison


    Racine
    Racine

    La fontaine
    La fontaine


    Oscar Wilde
    Oscar Wilde


    crematorium
    crematorium


    Then, we went to the Buttes Chaumont Park, where I went a few times as a small kid:





    nice views
    nice views


    Next, we went up the river to La Vilette:




    The next day, I went to the Paris Air Show at le Bourget, which was unexpected (on its own page)


    Saturday, was Fête de la Musique, so we went to enjoy another pretty day in Paris:



    We had been to Le Panthéon somewhat briefly some years back, but spent a longer time there this time:









    Marie Curie discovered radio activity
    Marie Curie discovered radio activity

    we then took a guided tour to the top
    we then took a guided tour to the top


    great view from there
    great view from there




    the damaged Notre Dame
    the damaged Notre Dame





    We then resumed our visit of Paris:




    And we headed towards le Jardin des Plantes, which looks much nicer during the summer:






    The nearby zoo was better than I expected:


    red pandas are so cute :)
    red pandas are so cute :)




    the park had some nicely sized uninvited city rats
    the park had some nicely sized uninvited city rats







    We then went to walk in Paris some more to see people performing music in the streets:


    quick ice cream stop at Bertillon
    quick ice cream stop at Bertillon

    Notre Dame will be repaired for several years:

















    And after nice sunny time in Paris and my Dad's Birthday Party, it was time to leave Paris for Amsterdam:




    2019/12/28 Another Xmas in Paris
    π 2019-12-28 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    Things aren't good in Paris, probably the worst year so far, that said, that didn't stop us from still going out for a few pictures. The first time out was to see the Palais de la découverte:


    After that Grand Palais' expositions on Toulouse Lautrec and Greco. We started with Toulouse Lautrec:






    I actually like Greco, he's different enough to be interesting to me
    I actually like Greco, he's different enough to be interesting to me






    After the expos, we took a few pictures outside, and some more when we came back to see Palais de la découverte the whole day:


    grand palais
    grand palais


    We then went next to the louvre for the little Xmas houses:
















    we got a seared foie gras sandwich, yum
    we got a seared foie gras sandwich, yum


    We then finished up with pictures around the louvre and walked out nearby streets to a subway station that was meant to take us home, but didn't because of the strikes:







    On my last day in Paris, I went to the Google office for a bit (few people were there because of the stupid strikes), and then went to walk nearby Printemps and Hausmann department stores for their Xmas decorations and terrace views:










    I then had a show by the eiffel tower theatre, took a few shots while there:



    the incapable government, has now put the tower behind airport security gates. Pathetic...
    the incapable government, has now put the tower behind airport security gates. Pathetic...




    And then, I had to walk quite a while before I found an open subway station to get home. Sigh...


    See more images for Another Xmas in Paris
    2020/01/02 Paris' Palais de la Decouverte
    π 2020-01-02 01:01 in Paris, Sciencemuseums
    Palais de la Découverte was the first science museum I went to when I was a kid, it had impressive exhibits then some 30 years ago, and they just added even newer ones, keeping the old favourites. Unfortunately the museum is scheduled to be moved to a lesser and smaller location in 2020, losing irreplaceable history and impressive exhibits.
    I've been to many science museums around the world, and this is one of the top ones in the world, and honestly the best one in the world in amount of cool big scale experiments they had in a single building.

    When we found that out, we spent 1.5 days going through all the presentations they had during the Xmas holidays, and we saw most but not all of the static exhibits:

    it is located at the back of the grand palais, an iconic building in Paris
    it is located at the back of the grand palais, an iconic building in Paris



    The different presentations were definitely a highlight:

    exhibits on magnetism, showing magnets lose their properties when they are too warm
    exhibits on magnetism, showing magnets lose their properties when they are too warm

    more interesting: stream of liquid gas is susceptible to magnetism
    more interesting: stream of liquid gas is susceptible to magnetism

    supraconductive material, when cooled sufficiently will stay in a magnetic equilibrium
    supraconductive material, when cooled sufficiently will stay in a magnetic equilibrium

    The museum's high power experiments (static electricity and electro magnets) have been there forever and are always a favourite:


    nice generator, 330kV
    nice generator, 330kV





    go big, or go home
    go big, or go home

    induced electric currents from magnetism allow for levitation, and it's hot
    induced electric currents from magnetism allow for levitation, and it's hot


    There were lots of other exhibit of course:





    it's all about density, yes this is real water and a real bowling ball
    it's all about density, yes this is real water and a real bowling ball



    Multiple sections on animals

    the ants exhibit was cool
    the ants exhibit was cool






    the queen
    the queen

    termites too
    termites too


    the octopus demo was cool too
    the octopus demo was cool too

    it gets to open a jar with a crab inside
    it gets to open a jar with a crab inside

    and eat the yummy crab
    and eat the yummy crab

    The 2nd day, we came at opening time to see some static exhibits before the presentations started:


    We then went to see the excellent supraconductivity:



    and then came the time for the full scale maglev demo
    and then came the time for the full scale maglev demo

    a bit of time to cool down the supraconductive magnets
    a bit of time to cool down the supraconductive magnets


    and then it was Jennifer's turn:

    There plenty of other presentations:

    turning gas into solid
    turning gas into solid

    oxygen in the air liquefies first, and causes flammable liquid
    oxygen in the air liquefies first, and causes flammable liquid

    safety goggles are for other people :)
    safety goggles are for other people :)

    they had bucket fulls of liquid gas to play with
    they had bucket fulls of liquid gas to play with



    After 1.5 days, we didn't quite get the time to see it all, but we made a good dent. The staff and demonstrator were awesome. I'm really sad that this museum will close forever in less tha na year.

    See more images for Paris' Palais de la Decouverte
    2021/12/26 Going Out in Paris During a Covid Xmas 2021
    π 2021-12-26 01:01 in France, Ntrips, Paris, Trips
    Another year going to Paris, Air France has had much better deals in business seats for miles, so I've been going with them again. Nice 1-2-1 layout (especially during covid):


    The previous year, because of covid and no vaccines, I literally didn't go out at all, or see anything. This year I was triply vaccinated, so I went out to enjoy the city again, plenty of pictures:





    nice views from top of Printemps
    nice views from top of Printemps



    newer building, not sure what happened there
    newer building, not sure what happened there


    Printemps was great to see as always:








    yum but totally overpriced
    yum but totally overpriced

    Great to meet some of my friends for lunch while I wsa there:


    Arc de triomphe:


    I went to arche de la défense to check out the view and the Xmas market:












    The top of the arch has a small expo each time, this time photos:



    I then went to the Xmas market (remembering that it closes at 18:00 on the last day, but 20:00 on previous days). So many yummy things:











    so yum
    so yum

    I was weak and got a seared foie gras sandwich
    I was weak and got a seared foie gras sandwich

    those bottles were beautiful
    those bottles were beautiful

    look at the patterns blown inside the glass!
    look at the patterns blown inside the glass!

    Random pictures while walking around in Paris:

    the flower market is always nice
    the flower market is always nice



    that weird building again, I'm not sold
    that weird building again, I'm not sold



    cartoons showing the rebuild
    cartoons showing the rebuild


    we shall rebuild!
    we shall rebuild!





    it rained many days, but not every day
    it rained many days, but not every day





    After doing the Xmas market at arche de la défense, I did the one by jardin des tuileries:

    yeah, I didn't have of those, fixed :)
    yeah, I didn't have of those, fixed :)










    Oh yeah, I also went shopping for the essentials. The entire row of cookies fell from the shelf into my cart :)


    that's why I shop for chocolate in france :)
    that's why I shop for chocolate in france :)

    Back another day for some night pictures:



    While I was in Paris, I also saw (click on the links):

  • Paris Cinematheque, Musee Melies

  • Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte

  • Monnaie de Paris (French Mint)

  • And thankfully I managed to avoid catching covid for long enough to fly home, it was a close one:

    'Adieu les cons' is a fun movie :)
    'Adieu les cons' is a fun movie :)

    2021/12/29 Paris Cinematheque, Musee Melies
    π 2021-12-29 01:01 in Museums, Paris
    This was another idea from my dad, there are so many museums in Paris that seeing them all is a never ending task :)

    Musée Méliès was really good given how pioneering and famous this French cinematographer, was, especially as he can be said to be the first real one, and with so much success.

    The museum does a great job recounting his life, inventions, and firsts, including how he built his cameras based on the frères Lumière's work who didn't believe their own invention would be worth anything:




    There were multiple screens showing some of his early short movies:



    even then, some of the movies were hand colorized, frame by frame
    even then, some of the movies were hand colorized, frame by frame



    the whole story board for 'voyage vers la lune'
    the whole story board for 'voyage vers la lune'



    He built an entire studio, the first one, in Montreuil:



    Really cool visit (and we got lucky to have a guide walk by and give us nice explanations). After we were done, we went to see a different expo on Jean Paul Gaultier, the famous French fashion designer, and how his work got into many movies (including 5th element):







    See more images for Paris Cinematheque, Musee Melies
    2021/12/30 Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte
    π 2021-12-30 01:01 in Monuments, Paris
    I had never heard about Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte, it's about 1H outside of Paris, an was a famous castle with fancy garden that were used as an example for Chateau de Versailles, built later for the king. It's a pretty impressive castle that I'm happy I got to see thanks to my dad:









    They had cool indoor displays:





    The castle had timed entry and very nicely decorated rooms:

    nice 3D video mapping
    nice 3D video mapping




    very nicely done show
    very nicely done show





    After the visit, I went to walk the grounds to the end back (long walk, almost 1H):





    sun started setting on my walk back
    sun started setting on my walk back



    Finally it was time for the night show with more video 3D mapping on the castle, very nice:





    Very nice castle with very good decorations, well worth the visit.

    See more images for Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte

    More pages: December 2004 January 2006 January 2007 January 2008 December 2008 January 2010 December 2011 December 2012 December 2013 December 2014 December 2015 December 2016 December 2017 October 2018 December 2018 June 2019 December 2019 January 2020 December 2021 January 2022 December 2022 June 2023 December 2023

    Contact Email