A Visit to Notre Dame de Paris


As I put my first step inside the world famous cathedral of Notre Dame, I wondered if I would have thought to visit this church, like many other tourists, had Victor Hugo not written his famous novel called ‘Notre Dame de Paris’. After all, there are lots of Cathedrals within the city of Paris, and I do not know many of them. Anyway, the church of Notre Dame has its own air of magnificence which attracts the visitors from all over the world.

I had long been undecided whether I should pay my respects to the said church but I was not disappointed by my visit itself. One of my friend happened to visit this church and for him the interior of the church was nothing but a complete disappointment. He then took the pain of practically discouraging all of acquaintances to pay for a visit, a sort of viral de-marketing one can say. However, in my case, the results of interior were quite on the contrary.  Amazed with the architecture of the church, I was also overwhelmed by the feeling of calmness and tranquility. 

I am well aware of the fact that pictures and videos do not substitute a real visit, but I am confident that following pictures and videos will help you an idea of the interior and when you will be actually visiting this place, your eyes will be ready to delve into further details. 











A Visit To The Louvre Museum of Paris





A few years ago, when I was almost new in Paris, one of my French said, ‘ if you want to find French people somewhere other than France, then try finding them in the nearest museum or castle near to that place you are visiting. Certainly, you shall find a few of them at least’. After my third visit to the Louvre Museum, I consider it as a personified love for Art and History of French nation.


I still remember when I first paid a visit to Louvre. It was summer and Paris, the most favorite tourist destination in the world, was packed to its capacity. Above all, it was the first Sunday of the month ( national Parisian museums offer free entrance on the first Sunday of each month ) and everyone, as it seemed, was there in the queue to visit Louvre. It took hours to get at the entry point at pyramid. Understandably, we were feeling tired even before our entry to the museum. I had decided that I will visit this museum once more in normal days to avoid that long line.


Louvre museum is full of world famous paintings and art objects. Indeed Monalisa is one of them and in each visit I found a great rush of people in front of that painting, waiting for their opportunities to get photographed in front of her magical smile. If you want to know more about the Louvre museum, then you can visit the website of Louvre Museum


For the moment, however, you may have a look on the following pictures of art objects present in Musée de Louvre or Louvre Museum. If you happen to be someone who loves appreciating the finer details of the art, then beware one day might not be enough for a detailed visit. So, if you know well beforehand what exactly would you like to see in the museum, then certainly it will help to make more out of less.


The maps of the museum are available freely, in different languages, at the information desks. They will also help you find some of the world class art objects. The museum of Louvre has a rich collection in following departments;

A. Near Eastern collections; this represents the civilizations of the ancient Middle East, which date to seven thousand years.

B. Egyptian Antiquities; this section highlights the specific aspects of Egyptian civilization in the past.

C. Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; This department contains the work of three ancient civilizations; Greece, Etruria, and Rome.

D. History of the Louvre and Medieval Louvre; Two rooms are dedicated to present the architectural history of the palace.

E. Paintings; The collection contains the history of European painting from the mid 19th century.

F. Sculptures; Sculptures from High Middle Ages to the mid 19th century are present in this section.

G. Decorative Arts; It contains decorative objects from Middle Ages and the renaissance. Napoleon III’s apartment can also be found in this section.

H. Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.

I. Islamic Art; you can see art objects from 7th to 19th century, originating from India to Spain.

J. The Eastern Mediterranean under the Roman Empire.

H. Paintings and Drawings


If you love going to other museums while you stay in Paris, then Paris Museum Pass will help you save some of your money and time. For more information, please read, Paris Museum Pass; The Cheapest Way To Visit Museums In Paris.


Here are some of the pictures from the Louvre.




A picture of Napoleon III apartments

A second picture of Napoleon III apartments

Mummy of one of the Egyptian Pharaohs.

Before the visit I thought that I will be able to see the real face of the mummy, but it happened the otherwise. I was told that it is necessary to keep the mummy under covers for the preservation. I hope that under the cover, there lies the mummy 


Egyptians were used to use drawings and symbols to express themselves.

Some pieces of art 


Pictures of Paris From The Top of Eiffel Tower.


Paris is a beautiful city, no matter what you angle of perception is. Today what we see as the French Capital is an old city telling us the tales that spread over thousands of years.

The sky was clear and the sun was smiling warmly, when  I arrived at the site of Eiffel Tower, the famous icon of Paris. It was not the first time to pay homage to genius of Gustave Eiffel, the man who conceived and constructed that iron structure in less than two years. But certainly it was the first time I was going to see how beautiful Paris look from the top of that tower.

On that day two lifts were working to take the visitors to the top of Eiffel Tower. One lift which took the tourists from the ground level, had a very long line in front of it. As I calculated, the queue was moving quite slow and it could take around 3 hours to arrive before the ticket window. However, on the other side, the story was completely opposite. What I saw was that people who bought the tickets they were not using the lift, rather they were climbing the stairs up. I was not sure if I could go to the top of Eiffel Tower only by stairs. So as I arrive at the ticket office, I asked if with that ticket I can go to the top.

I was told that I can go up taking the stairs to 2nd level and from there I can take free lift to go to the top. I put the required amount in front of him, took the ticket and started my journey towards the top of the tower.

It was neither too difficult nor too easy to go to the 2nd level. Instead of going up continuously, I took breaks at considerable intervals. While I stayed, I looked around, observed the construction of the structure and did photography. One can say it was a sort of fun going up as one could appreciate the symmetrical beauty of the Parisian architecture, gradually leaving behind.

Here are a few photos. If you are planning to go up on Eiffel Tower, you will have an idea how it is going to be like.

Montparnasse Tower can be seen at the end of the picture. The greenery of Chams de Mars is quite visible.

A closer look of the Montparnasse Tower.

The stairs of the tower used to go to the 2nd level.

Eiffel Tower, seen from the 2nd level of Eiffel tower. The journey to the top of the tower is yet to be finished 

On the 2nd level, one can find shops and restaurants. Even, there are toilets, free of charge.


The river seine, innocently dividing the city in right and left bank ..

Close up look from the summit of Eiffel Tower


Another look on the city of lights and love. One can see the golden dome of the place called, invalides.

Another picture of the river Seine.

On the way to the top of the tower

One of the pulleys, used to operate the lift

Communication antennas used for the transmission of the signals. This usage had been the most important reason that Eiffel Tower still stands today proudly.

You can see there are lots of antennas. But, tourists are not allowed to go to that part of the tower.

The wax statues of Gustave Eiffel and Edisson, American inventor.


3 Entertaining and Educational Paris Motorcycle Tours


The following motorcycle tours of Paris allow the rider to enjoy some of the most scenic and famous sites of the city. Making stops at each landmark is recommended for maximum enjoyment, so don’t just drive by!

Eiffel Tower-River Seine-Rodin Museum-Orsay Museum Tour
The is 19 KM tour with a drive time of 35 minutes. This tour for the most part follows the beautiful Seine River from the Parc du Champs de Mars, where the Eiffel Tower is located, to the intersection of the Quai de  Stalingrad and Rue Aristide Briand. Two major museums are located along the route and these are the Rodin Museum and the Orsay Museum.

The start of this tour is the the Eiffel Tower. Completed in 1889, it is 1050 ft tall. There are three visitor levels. Not only is it one of the most visited sights in the world, it is also the symbol of France and Paris. The the tower is located in the beautiful Champs de Mars Park.

To continue along the route to the next destination:

1) Go south on Rue Desaix
2) Right on Bd de Grenelle
3) Left on Quai de Grenelle
4) Continue on Quai de Andre Citroen
5) Slight Left on Quai d’Issy-Les-Moulineaux
6) Continue on Quai du President
7) Left on Pl. de la Resistance D0101
8) At the second roundabout exit to Rue de Paris
9) At the next roundabout exit onto Rue De Doctor Arnaudet
10) Continue onto Rue de la Belgique
11) Left onto Ave Paul Bert
12) Continue on Ave Auguste Rodin
13) Rodin Museum on Left

The Rodin Museum was formerly a hotel where the famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin worked. He bequeathed all his sculptures as well as his art collection, including works by Vincent Van Gogh and Pierre-Auguste Renoir to the State of France, on the condition that the hotel be turned into a museum to exhibit this artwork. Some of the more famous sculptures include The Kiss, The Gates of Hell and The Thinker.

To continue to the final destination, the Museum of Orsay, which is not far from where you started, you will be heading north and following the Seine on the left bank.

1) Turn left onto Rue du Lieutenant Raoul Batany
2) Turn left onto Av. Henri Barbusse/D2, Continue to follow D2
3) Turn right onto Pl. de la Resistance/D101. Continue to follow D1014), Go through 1 roundabout.
5) At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Quai Point du Jour
6) Continue onto Quai Saint-Exupéry
7) Slight right onto Voie Georges Pompidou
Speed camera in 4.2 km
8) Slight left onto Cours la Reine
9) Slight right to stay on Cours la Reine
10) Turn right onto Pont de la Concorde
11) Turn left onto Quai d'Orsay/Bd Saint-Germain
12) Continue to follow Bd Saint-Germain
13) Slight left onto Rue de Lille
14) Destination will be on the right

The Orsay Museum was once Orsay Station. Built in 1900 in Beaux Art style, it was the terminal station for SW France until 1939, when it became obsolete. At one point is was used as a stage set for an Orson Well’s production of Kafka’s The Trial. It was converted to an art museum and reopened in 1986. The museum includes many distinguished works of art including Whistler’s Mother. Painting, sculptural, architectural, decorative and photographic works are included in the exhibits.

Latin Quarter Meets Gothic and Royal Palace TourThis is 5.3 KM tour with an 18 minute drive time. Beginning at the Notre Dame cathedral in Ile de la Cite, the  first stop is the 13th century gothic chapel, St. Chapelle. Next is the Latin Quarter at Place St Michel where you will enjoy some of the most fabulous food, created by multiple ethnicities and usually at prices that are quite affordable. Your final destination will be the Palais Royal which was built in the early 1600’s. This tour provides a short but scenic ride full of historic architecture and amazing entertainment.

Notre Dame was built in the early 13th century and is a well known example of French Gothic architecture. It was one of the first buildings constructed to use flying buttresses as supporting structures.

1. Head south on Quai de Bourbon toward Rue Jean du Bellay
2. Continue onto Quai d'Orléans
3. Turn right onto Pont de la Tournelle
4. Take the 1st right onto Quai de la Tournelle
5. Continue onto Quai de Montebello
6. Continue onto Quai Saint-Michel
7. Turn right onto Pont Saint-Michel
8. Continue onto Bd du Palais
9. Destination will be on the left

Sainte Chapelle is located at 4 Boulevard du Palais 75001 Paris, France. It was built by Louis IX and completed towards the end of the 13th century. It is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows including a unique rose window. Its purpose was to safeguard The Passion of Christ which is believed to include a crown of thorns as well a fragment of The True Cross.

1. Head southwest on Bd du Palais toward Quai des Orfèvres
2. Take the 1st left onto Quai du Marché Neuf
3.. Take the 1st right onto Rue de la Cité
4. Continue onto Pl. du Petit Pont
5. Continue onto Rue Saint-Jacques
6. Turn right onto Rue des Écoles
7. Turn right onto Bd Saint-Michel
8. Destination will be on the right

You have arrived in the Latin Quarter and hopefully have brought an appetite. This place is full of ancient winding streets, great food and friendly people.

9. Head north on Bd Saint-Michel toward Rue de la Huchette
10. Take the 1st left onto Quai des Grands Augustins
11. Continue onto Quai de Conti
12. Continue onto Quai Malaquais
13. Continue onto Quai Voltaire
14. Turn right onto Pont Royal
15. Keep left at the fork
16. Turn right onto Av. du Général Lemonnier
17. Continue onto Pl. des Pyramides
18. Turn right onto Av. de l'Opéra
19. Turn left onto Pl. du Théatre Français
20. Continue onto Rue de Montpensier
21. Turn left to stay on Rue de Montpensier

You have arrived at the Palais Royal. Its construction was completed in 1639. Unfortunately it is now closed to the public but it’s beautiful gardens are still open. People also say that there is some great shopping in this area so take a look.

Paris Ring Road - Circle Paris in 26 Minutes

The Paris Ring Road is called Boulevard Périphérique. It follows the footprint of the ancient Paris wall that was demolished in the 1920s, making room for the Ring Road. There is both an inner ring and an outer ring and the speed limit is 50 MPH. It takes 26 minutes to circumnavigate the city of Paris. On the inner ring, the traffic is clockwise and the outer ring travels counter clockwise. It looks very pretty at night and maybe that is a good time to try this route because it is quite popular and prone to congestion.



Sam, the author of this article, is an avid traveler and loves to ride his Harley Davidson. He has 10 motorcycle jackets in his closet that he likes to take out for different occasions. Some might even call him a bit of a motorcycle fashionista!