Something French

In honor of today's anniversary of the Normandie invasion, I thought it would be apropos to post some photos of our cousins across the pond.

The south wall of the Louvre, Paris

Paris is a city with so much history it's difficult to know where to begin. Once a Roman outpost in what was then known as Gaul, Paris flourished over the years. Originally a walled city, remains of the wall can actually still be seen below the Louvre as part of the museum's exhibits.

The river Seine is probably one of the most widely known rivers in the world. Passing through the heart of 'old Paris', the Seine bifurcates around two large islands which were the original city. These islands are known as the Ile de la Cite, and the Ile St. Louis. The Ile de la Cite is where Notre Dame Cathedral is located, an on it's western point is the infamous Pont Neuf bridge.

The Seine from a little park below the Pont Neuf

Since the Seine flows from east to west the south shore is affectionately known as the 'Left Bank', and is famous for the hangouts of writers and painters in the 1920's and '30's.

The Seine looking west from the Left Bank

For a good example of the excesses the French Aristocracy and Royalty were capable of, take a trip down to Versailles Palace, built for King Louis the XIII and expanded by Louis XIV. Truly a magnificent structure, it boasts gardens, reflecting pools, fountains galore and the infamous Halles les Glaces, or Hall of Mirrors.

Halles Les Glaces

I'd love to show you more pictures of Versailles but the day that I went it was closed. Closed. One of the single greatest buildings the french have ever built and it was closed on a Monday. Apparently it's closed every Monday. I guess you have to mow the lawn sometimes.