The art museums of Paris (musee!), not to forget the colossal Louvre which always hosts a major crowd for the famous painting – Monalisa, reminded me of the deity in the Indian temples from where the crowd never goes. They house many art works including Michelangelo’s famous works, Venus de Milo, Nike of Samothrace and so many more! If you decide to see them all, section by section, you would need an entire week. Till 1682, Louvre was the palace of the royalty. Louis the 14 was the last to live there, after which they shifted to Versailles.
Versailles, about 16 km from Paris, has been untouched by the wind of civilisation, even after 400 years. It has got more palaces and gardens, and the gold embroidered Palace of Versailles gleams dazzlingly under the sun. The stony path to its doorstep, the painted roofs and walls with a grand collection of interior decor guide you into the majestic heaven – the glass hall. The glass hall appears as an ornate alley with rows of chandeliers hung from the roof, and long glass windows that lights the hall during summer and and turns it into a freezing cold place during winter. This hall has witnessed the treaty of Versailles and many ruler-citizen interfaces during the French Revolution .
What would attract you the most is the first thing you would probably climb on too, to flood your album with snapshots – is the tour de Eiffel. The 1889-built wonder of the world offers three levels and three views of the city . You would be ecstatic to be on the third but it’s the second level which offers the best view of Seine and the surrounding scenery.
After waiting in a tiresome queue for tickets, the third level offers you a gratifying glass of champagne. If you want to go to the much-talked-of restaurant, book it 3 months prior to when you have booked your tickets! 😉
The Basilica (the roman catholic church) situated atop the Montmartre hill should be your last venture in the Paris city tour – something for the soul!
Musicians, writers, painters and a whole lot of tourists. Cellos, violins, portraits and wine. On the whole, the Basilica is a wonderful spot to capture the whole city in all its length and breadth . You reach the Basilica and you gratify your heart feeling you’ve conquered the city as Paris would be lying right before your eyes. Wasn’t this the spot from where Hemingway wrote:
I’ve seen you, beauty, and you belong to me now,
whoever you are waiting for and if I never see you again,
You belong to me and all Paris belongs to me
and I belong to this notebook and this pencil.”
This article has been written by Astha, a II year student at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore.
Edited by – Kalyani Parvathy
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