2015-09-04-Paris, FR-La Madeleine, Place Vendôme &...

2015-09-04-Paris, FR-The Gargoyles and Chimeras of Notre Dame

2015-09-04-Paris, FR-St Eustace, Montmarte, Sacré-Cœur Basilica

When we surfaced from the Metro from Montmartre the aircraft carrier sized La Madeleine loomed before us. This enormous structure, with 60 foot columns supporting and surrounding it, was initially built as a tribute to Napoleon's all conquering Grande Armée but was quickly re-purposed as a Catholic Church. After exploring its cavernous interior we walked a short distance to the swanky Place Vendôme, one of Paris's ritziest neighborhoods. In fact, the celebrated Ritz Hotel reigns serenely from a prominent location on the Place. Unfortunately, the Ritz and Place Vendôme's signature Vendôme Column were shrouded, as they neared the end of a nearly three year multi-million dollar renovation. In the evening we took a bus from Le Marais to Place du Trocadéro where we had dinner after which we walked across the square for fabulous night views of the Eiffel Tower.

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Place Vendôme, one of Paris' swankest addresses

Place Vendôme is a square in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. Its architecture by Jules Hardouin-Mansart and pedimented screens canted across the corners give the rectangular Place Vendôme the aspect of an octagon. The original Vendôme Column at the centre of the square was erected by Napoleon I to commemorate the battle of Austerlitz. In this photo the column and the legendary Ritz hotel (left) are covered as both are nearing the end of a three year renovation.

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The Ritz Hotel, Place Vendôme, closed for renovations

The legendary Ritz Paris, set on prime real estate along Place Vendome, shuttered its doors for the first time in 114 years in 2012 for a three year multi-million dollar renovation.The five-star haven, built in 1898 by Swiss hotelier César Ritz, was the stomping ground for the likes of Ernest Hemingway (the on-site cocktail bar bears his name), Coco Chanel, the Duke of Windsor, and Elton John (the latter three have namesake suites).

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