L'Ile de la Cite

Summer's here and I have officially started "doing" Paris. First up, Rue D'Arcole was this pretty little cobble street which leads to The Notre Dame. Thought, enough of seeing the Notre Dame from outside.....but inside, a bit of a disappointment. The stained glass windows and the rest are very pretty but thats what they are, very pretty. Not the take your breath away category. Though, I guess, it has a lot to do with the experience. Too many tourists around, with too many flashes of the camera. What was spectacular, however, was a view of The Grande Dame from the back, from the Memorial des Deportations. The arches, the green statues of the angels or kings against the grey backdrop, towering over the park grounds. As usual, camera, gave up on me right then but will go back for some pics. Here's one of my attempts:

And then the blood thirsty, primitive side in me. Had been so disappointed when I realised that the Bastille no longer exists. It is so much a part of the history that we study about the French, almost their identity for the rest of the world. Anyway, it seems, that was not where Marie Antoinette and the rest were imprisoned. It was in a place called the Conciergerie, which is now a museum for Revolution relics. A must 'dekho'- though I saved it up for a free Sunday. Btw, the guillotine was named after Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guilottin, whose ancestors had to change their name later, to avoid the unfortunate connection. What can I say?

And the Pont Neuf. The oldest bridge on the Seine. The inauguration was amusing - the king trotted across on his horse. Could imagine the village crowds cheering him as he went trot, trot, trot..... this is a pic from the bridge. Thats the king on his horse...commerated forever.

And, have decided, I love American tourists. Their devil may care attitude is phenomenal!!