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Conference and Holiday in Belgium and France May 2005
Paris, France (here is the National Anthum-click pause when required)
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![](Paris/27 May 05 Paris a Sharon and George made it to stn_resize.JPG)
As we got to Paris, we immediately got acquainted with the Metropolitan (Metro) and headed to our hotel “New Oriental Hotel” which was fantastic. Here are a few pictures of us from the hotel room.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 27 May Paris arrival at hotel Pierre and Sharon in window.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 27 May Paris arrival at hotel1.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 27 May Paris George and Sharon New Oriental Hotel.JPG)
Once in the hotel room we received a message from Martine and Marcel for us to go meet them at their house for supper at 1930 hrs. (Marcel and Martine are friends of my parents and people we had met earlier in Canada and I had visited during my time in Paris in Nov 04). As a good military person I immediately got George to accompany me on a reconnaissance to find the location. I left Sharon at the hotel getting ready for the evening meeting. George and I went a few different ways to get to know the area a little better (for those of you who know me, we got lost). Once on the road, George and I saw a demonstration at the St Augustin Church. Later that evening Marcel told us that this happens often as people rally to seek sanctuary in the church. He calls them “Sans Papier”. This is not a raciest-site but the comment was made that this demonstration was mainly blacks. I draw your attention to the police, the amount of police and the fashion in which they were dressed.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 27 May Paris Demonstration1 St Augustin.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 27 May Paris Demonstration3 St Augustin.JPG)
On the night of 27 May we all made it to Martine and Marcel’s for supper and drinks. Alexander, their son, was also present later that evening. These people treated us like royalty and made our first night in Paris enjoyable and relaxing. Merci Marcel et Martine.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 27 May Paris George Marcel Alex and Sharon.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 27 May Paris Martine and Marcel.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 27 May Paris Martine George Marcel and Pierre.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 27 May Paris Pierre and George looking at map Paris.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 31 May on the stairs going to Eiffle Tower.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 31 May on top of tour bus in Paris.JPG)
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![](Paris/27 May 05 Paris Pierre in front of St Augustin_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/27 May 05 Paris Pierre with St Augustin Church in background_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Arc de Triomphe Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Arc de Triomphe Pierre and George_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Arc de Triomphe_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 28 May Arc de Triomphe Pierre from top.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 28 May Arc de Triomphe George from top.JPG)
George and I walked up these stairs to the top of the Arch de Triomphe. Not an easy walk as you can see.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 28 May Arc de Triomphe stairs.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Arc de Triomphe2_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Eiffle Tower from Arc de Triomphe_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Eiffle Tower from top of Arc de Triomphe_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Arc de Triomphe History_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Ecole de guerre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Eiffle Tower Sharon and George_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Eiffle Tower Sharon and Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Eiffle Tower_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Eiffle Tower under_resize.JPG)
On our walk from the Arch de Triomphe we went down Champs D’Élysée. At the Hollywood Planet Sharon struck a pose with Darth Vader made out of LEGO.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 28 May Champs Elysee Sharon and a LEGO Hollywood Planet.JPG)
Where we picked up a few groceries, you could see this from our room.
![](Paris/28 May 05 Hotel Sharon and George leaving grocery store _resize.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 28 May Hotel writting postcards.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Memorial flame_resize.JPG)
Les Invalids. This complex of building includes the Hotel des Invalids, The Dome and the Church of St-Louis. Invalids was ordered built by Louis XIV. It was designed as a refuge for old and invalid soldiers who were forced to beg for a living. The Hotel has three museums: The Musee de L’Armee, The Musee d’Histore Contemporaine and the Musee des Plans-Reliefs. We visited the Musee de L’Armee along with the Dome.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 29 May Invalides Great square.JPG)
We normally would try and start out the day with a coffee. This tradition has not changed in the 28 years that Sharon and I have been married (29 this 20th of Nov). So Sharon wanted a STARBUCK’s coffee-the closest thing to TIM HORTON’s for those Tim Horton fans. We love our Tim’s also but none available in France!!
Our metro rides
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 29 May Metro Sharon and George showing way.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 2 Jun Metro Sharon and George Pyramides.JPG)
Sharon had us walk approximately two hours the first day as we looked around for a Starbucks coffee house. By the end of the 9 days in PARIS we had the Starbucks cased and had reduced our time form hotel, through Metro to Starbucks to less than 30 mins!! Here are a few pictures from mixed days.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 2 Jun Sharon exiting Starbucks Opera Paris.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 30 May Archieves Nationale de Paris Sharon and George.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 30 May Archieves Nationale de Paris Sharon and Pierre1.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 30 May Archieves Nationale Pierre in front.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 30 May Archieves Nationale Sharon and Pierre inside.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 30 May Cathedrale Notre Dame Sharon and Pierre.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Paris Sharon and George near boats_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Paris Sharon at the market_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Sacre Coeur1 Basilique Sharon and George_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Sacre Coeur1 Basilique_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Sacre Coeur3 Basilique_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Sacre Coeur Basilique a look at Paris_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Sacre Coeur Basilique a walk there in the backgro_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Sacre Coeur Basilique arriving with a lift_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Sacre Coeur Basilique departure Sharon walking do_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/28 May 05 Sacre Coeur Basilique_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/29 May 05 Augustin Church Sharon when we were lost_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/29 May 05 Invalides Pierre and Sharon in front of Invilides_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/29 May 05 Invalides Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/29 May 05 Invalides Sharon and Pierre in front of Napoleons tomb_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/29 May 05 Invalides Sharon posing with Statue_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/29 May 05 Invalides story of Hotel National des Invalides_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/30 May 05 Bazar Hotel de Ville_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/30 May 05 Cathedrale Notre Dame Sharon and Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/30 May 05 Notre Dame Catheral_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/30 May 05 Palais de Justice_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/30 May 05 Pierre and Sharon in front of dancing lights_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/30 May 05 Sharon and George leaving Post office in Hotel de_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/30 May 05 Sharon getting a well deserved rest_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Arc de Triomphe1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 building in front of Galeries_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Cathedrale Notre Dame_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Charles de Gaule1_resize.JPG)
We finally made it back to the Eiffel Tower and this time stood in line to go up the tower. George bought a ticket to the top. The Eiffel Tower was opened 15 May 1889 at the world fair in Paris. It is 320 meters high, It weights 7000 tons and has three large floors, the first 57 meters from the ground, the second 115 meters (this is where Sharon and I got off) and the third at 274 meters and this is where George went!!
![](Paris/31 May 05 Eiffle Tower4_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Eiffle Tower1 level 2P1000399_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Eiffle Tower at night_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Eiffle Tower front view_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Eiffle Tower Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Eiffle Tower Sharon1_resize.JPG)
Here is a close up. Look carefully at the fear of heights in Sharon's eyes as she grips that girder!
![](Paris/31 May 05 Eiffle Tower Sharon_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Eiffle Tower Sharon and Pierre1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Pierre in front of statue at Assembly Nationale_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Sharon and Pierre at night1_resize.JPG)
We also went to visit les Galleries de la Fayette and from there took the pictures you are about to see. The pictures were taken from the top of les Galleries.
![](Paris/31 May 05 Sharon and Sacre Coeur_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 Sharon on top of Galeries_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 statue on Alexandre bridge_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/31 May 05 statue_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Louvre DENON entrance outside_resize.JPG)
On the 1st of June we went to the Louvre. Here we seen many fine paintings and enjoyed the movement back and forth to the different style of museums.
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Louvre DENON entrance_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Louvre George_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Louvre Sharon and Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 1 Jun Louvre Mona Lisa with Sharon.JPG)
![](Paris/1 June 05 Louvre Sharon1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Louvre Sharon looking at paintings_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Louvre Sharon taking the lead_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 June 05 Louvre Pierre Bonapart Franchissant les Alpes 184_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 1 Jun Louvre man feeding birds1.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 1 Jun Louvre man feeding birds2.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 1 Jun Man exiting a wall.JPG)
We visited the famous Moulin Rouge.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 1 Jun Moulin Rouge.JPG)
Sharon with the history of the Moulin Rouge
The Place du Tertre is an old square that was used as a meeting place and is frequented by painters.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 1 Jun Place du Tertre a painter in Montmartre.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Montmartre Sharon exiting1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Montmartre Sharon exiting2_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Place du Tertre Sharon and Pierre in Montmartre_resize.JPG)
Sacre Coeur Basilique. Sacre Coeur Basilique. This church is on the top of Montmartre hill. It was begun being built in 1876 and consecrated in 1919. One of its bells weighs 19 tons.
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Sacre Coeur3_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Sacre Coeur7_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Sacre Coeur2_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 Sharon and George walking down towards the gardens_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 Jun 05 water Sharon and George_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 1 Jun Starbucks Sharon and Pierre.JPG)
“Jardin DAsie Thailandaises” restaurant. We enjoyed this meal so much that we ventured here again on 3 Jun for supper. In Paris meals are expensive (hell, everything seems expensive) and this meal for quality and cost fits our budget and pallet.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 2 Jun Jardin DAsie Thailandaises resturant Paris.JPG)
We started the day like most other mornings, with a trip to Starbucks.
On exiting Starbucks though we went towards a different direction (to change things around) and stopped in a leather shop to contemplate a few purchases. Here is a picture of that shop.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 2 Jun Leather Shop Sharon and George.JPG)
we just took the day to venture to the airport and have a dry run of what connections of metro and train to take to reach our flight on time. We also took the opportunity to go and walk around downtown Paris. One photo of interest is the picture of the washroom for men that were put to use as we sought a place to relieve ourselves. The beer was good also.
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 4 Jun mens washroom brasserie.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 4 Jun Metro Stop Ecole Militaire.JPG)
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![](Paris/1 June 05 Louvre Sharon and George_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 June 05 Louvre Sharon and Pierre Napoleon III great room_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/1 June 05 Louvre Sharon Napoleon sur le Champ de Batille DE_resize.JPG)
cathedral of Notre-Dame whose towers were built in 1245 but the church was only completed in 1345. This was the site in 1804 of the coronation of Napoleon I by Pope Pius VIII.
![](Paris/2 Jun 05 Notre Dame_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/2 Jun 05 Opera1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/2 Jun 05 Opera Sharon walking along the ave to Starbucks_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/2 Jun 05 Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/2 Jun 05 Sacre Coeur before we went for supper_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/2 Jun 05 Sharon asked directions to STARBUCKS_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/2 Jun 05 Sharon crossing street at Villiers_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/2 Jun 05 Sharon walking down the street_resize.JPG)
We got up early, went to Starbucks and headed to Versailles. The creation of the great place de Versailles was due to Louis XIV, who after civil disturbances known as the Frondes decided to abandon Paris and transform the old hunting castle into a royal palace. The royal family stayed there until Oct 1789 where they returned to Paris after a procession of market women had marched on the palace in an unprecedented demonstration. This location was also the scene of the coronation of William of Prussia as emperor of Germany.
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles from the city of Versailles1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles Sharon and Pierre1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles Sharon and Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles a look from the other side o_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles a look at the Chateau from t_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles King Louis XIV_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles Sharon and Pierre in a great room_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles Sharon and Pierre in front o_resize.JPG)
The gardens were developed in 1661 and occupy 100 hectares. We see the Fountain of Latona which stands at the beginning of the long avenue called the Tapis-Vert at the other end of which is the great Basin of Apollo.
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles Sharon and Pierre in front(2)_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles Sharon and Pierre near water_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles Sharon taking picture of Geo_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles the map_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles The Royal Chapel1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles the Royal Chapel_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Chateau de Versailles Throne_resize.JPG)
we decided to go and visit Disney land of Paris
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 3 Jun Disney Land Sharon and Pierre in Gazzebo1.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Disney Land Paris Sharon and Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Disney Land Paris Sharon_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Disney Land Park Paris Sharon and Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/3 Jun 05 Opera from Starbucks_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/4 Jun 04 Eiffle Tower last day_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/4 Jun 05 Eiffle Tower from Brasserie1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/4 Jun 05 from the Eiffle Tower_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/4 Jun 05 Sharon and George going to Starbucks_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/4 Jun 05 the dry run at the airport_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/4 Jun 05 War Memorial Paris1_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/4 Jun 05 War Memorial Paris_resize.JPG)
![](Paris/other for Paris/2005 4 Jun P1000602.JPG)
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