Greetings, dear friends,
Where does one begin in Paris? There are magnificent monuments, amazing avenues and green gardens to tempt you. Then, there are the small side streets, enchanting neighborhoods, and quaint cafés in which to spend hours watching the Parisians. I am sure that this will be the first of many walking tours will shed some light on this lovely city.
Starting at the Opéra Garnier. It's beautiful when lit at night!
Down the rue de la Paix, to Place Vendôme, a majestic square, home to some of the most amazing haute jewelers in the world. In front of Boucheron. In addition to offering some stunning jewelery, Boucheron has some exquisite perfume!
Place Vendôme. Napoleon erected this column, modeled after Trajan's Column to celebrate the victory of Austerlitz.
Just inside the Jardin des Tuileries, Jane stopped for a photo opportunity with this sculpture by Auguste Nicolas Cain, "Lion et Lionne se disputant un sanglier" (Lion and Lioness fighting over a boar).
My, what large teeth you have!
Down Avenue George V, close to the Place de l'Alma, one finds Hermés, among many other fashionable and equally unaffordable shops.
Across the Seine on the left bank, one finds the Hôtel des Invalides. Commissioned as a military hospital by Louis XIV, it's now features multiple military museums and Napoleon's tomb, directly under the gilded dome.
Turn around from des Invalides, and you'll see the ornate Pont Alexandre III over the Seine.
This was quite a long walk, and I required a fair rest...
Yours most affectionately,
JANE
