“City of Lights,” Camera, Action!

It only seemed appropriate that my mom’s last weekend in Europe be in Paris. So that’s precisely what we did! At the Paris Nord train station, built for Queen Victoria’s visit in the 1860s, we began venturing the “City of Lights.”

As we walked through the Montmarte, an area of Paris known for steep hills and sweeping views, we stopped at the Sacré Coeur, which was built to celebrate the freeing of Paris from Prussian invaders. The grand, white basilica surely draws surprising expression since it is nearly hidden from the street. We continued to Moulin Rouge. Most people remember the recent movie starring Nicole Kidman, but Parisians know Moulin Rouge as the only place in Paris that still performs “the real cancan”.

Passing through the Lafayette Galleries, we made our way to Opera Garnier, Palais Royal, and the Louvre. The Opera Garnier, with a facade of complete marble, is known as where the Phantom did his haunting. Past the Opera house, the Palais and the Louvre are popular Paris attractions. The palace, once the world’s largest royal palace and former home to Louis XIV, is magnificent in detail with its imperial image. The Louvre houses the Mona Lisa and is arguably the world’s greatest art museum.

Mom and I strolled along the Seine River to reach the Paris Town Hall and Notre Dame Cathedral. The world-famous cathedral is truly more beautiful in person and open free to the public. Plus, you can climb its towers to see the malicious gargoyles and stunning views of the city.

As the evening approached, we completed our Paris tour with the Arc de Triomphe, Avenue des Champs Élysées, and the Eiffel Tower. The Arc de Triomphe, the world’s largest triumphal arch, is a phenomenal monument to tribute the victories of Napolean’s Grand Armée. The Arc also brought a few astonishing sights – bride and groom taking wedding photos, stopping traffic and break-dancers battling directly below the Arc. Quite memorable moments in my opinion! Mom and I continued down Avenue des Champs Élysées, overflowing with shoppers in designer stores. Here, we visited the famous flagship store of Louis Vuitton, which was beautifully decorated and sparkling for the holiday season. And at last, we reached the Eiffel Tower, synonymous with Paris for the 1889 Universal Exhibition. Weighing 7,000 tons, the tower was glowing in the night. Appropriately, it was once denounced as the “world’s greatest lamppost.”

After touring Paris thoroughly, we spent Sunday at Versailles. With 40,000 workers over 50 years, Louis XIII’s former hunting lodge was transformed into this extravagant palace by King Louis XIV, who installed his court and government here.

First, we toured through the chapel and 17th century galleries, filled with the finest 17th century French art. From the royal courtyard, Mom and I gawked at the state apartments, including the Hall of Mirrors and the King’s chamber. We finished the palace tour with the history of French galleries before strolling through the royal gardens and estates.

At the far end of the estate lies the Queen’s Hamlet and Farm, the Grand Trianon, and Marie Antoinette’s estate. Marie Antoinette was the only queen to impose her personal tastes on Versailles, scoffing at Court traditions. In the Trianon estate, she found a haven of privacy from the rigors of court etiquette. As one can imagine, the Versailles Estate was a rich, over the top, massive, opulent, stately, bright, magnificent, prestigious, shiny, imperial, brilliant, overwhelming, extravagant, legendary, mythological, spacious, grand, elaborate, serene, romantic, and vogue fairytale palace. Interpret it as you will, but our day spent at the estate was fit for a king (no pun intended!). So let them eat cake and then, off with their heads!