Musée du Louvre - Paris, France

Musée du Louvre

The original structure, built in the 12th century as a fortress, was modified numerous times between initial construction and opening as a museum on August 10, 1793.

This is one of the largest museums in the world with over 600,000 square feet dedicated to the permanent collection.

A trip to the Louvre requires planning since many of the more notable masterpieces are often on exhibit in different wings of the building.

Included among the incredible masterpieces we saw were the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and the Marly Horses.

If you are planning to see the Mona Lisa, it is likely you will have to wade through a sea of other visitors to catch a glimpse of her smile. Be prepared to be patient.

We spent the better part of a day walking ourselves to exhaustion and were painfully aware that we had barely scratched the surface of all that was on exhibit. To help you avoid making our mistake, I reiterate - PLAN AHEAD.

Of course our exhaustion became justification for resting in the courtyard near the fountain in view of the pyramid designed by I.M. Pei.

There is certainly something of interest to attract art, architecture, and history lovers alike.

Check the Louvre website for pricing and hours of operation.

These photos are available for purchase by visiting AcevedoPhoto.net

Sainte-Chapelle - Paris, France

This chapel, commissioned by King Louis IX of France, was consecrated April 26, 1248.

It was once the home of "Christ's Relics," including the crown of thorns.

One of the most impressive features is the huge stained glass windows on the second floor, which in addition to paying homage to King Louis for relocating Christ's Relics to Paris,  illustrate various portions of the old and new testament.

While the chapel has largely been recreated due to damage suffered during the French Revolution - two thirds of the stained glass is authentic.

Whether you go to see the gothic architecture or bask in the colorful glow of the stained glass on the second floor this is a worthy pilgrimage.

I do suggest reviewing the warnings on the Sainte Chappelle website. Thorough bag checks are performed before allowing entry. Be sure not to be carrying any restricted items to avoid being turned away.

Check the Sainte-Chapelle Website for pricing and hours of operation.

These photos are available for purchase by visiting AcevedoPhoto.net

Eiffel Tower - Paris, France

Eiffel Tower

What can anyone say about the Eiffel Tower?
Located: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

This 126 year old structure is iconic.

Recognizable the world over, it is home to two restaurants and a new observation deck with a glass floor.

Eiffel Tower - April 2012

Sadly, the weather was not cooperating with our plans during our visit.  It was cloudy and rainy. The line for visiting the observation deck was long and we were  informed visitors might be turned away in the event of lightning.

Instead of risking waiting on a long line only to be turned away, we took some photos and proceeded with our plans to explore the surrounding area.  There are several things to visit nearby like Trocadero, Maison de la culture du Japon a Paris, or one could take a leisurely walk along the Seine. For other ideas I suggest visiting the Paris Info Website.

If my memory serves me, the rates have changed slightly (Official Eiffel Tower Website) since we were in Paris. In spite of the increase, the chance to get a birds-eye view of Paris by riding the lift to the top would be worth the price of admission.

Eiffel Tower - April 2012

Since our visit the construction that obstructed many of my photos, which we presume was to add "The New First Floor," has been completed. I imagine this added feature enhances the overall experience.

As you can see from my photos the Eiffel Tower is gorgeously lit at night.

Despite the brevity of our visit, the time spent at the tower stands out. I highly recommend making time for this attraction.

As part of your planning, my two suggestions are check the weather before you go and try to determine the off-peak visiting hours to minimize your wait time.

Please follow the hyperlink to my AcevedoPhoto - Paris Gallery if you would like to see more photos from this trip.