We arrived into Paris around 9pm on the Taylus high speed train from Amsterdam. These trains cruise at a top speed of 120mph and the ride is smooth -- like riding on a cushion of air.
Once we settled into our hotel, we found ourselves wide awake (given a 9 hour time difference from home in California) so after a quick exchange of "Eiffel Tower" with the french-only speaking driver, off we went.
I grew more excited as we followed the Seine River toward the illuminated tower. As we neared I quickly adjusted my camera settings and exited curb side -- 10 Euro please. I didn't make it 20 yards before I had my tripod setup, wide angle lense on (Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM), and angled the camera skyward just as the white lights began to blink. It was 11pm.
Later, I learned that the white lights blink for 10 minutes at the top of every hour, from sunset to 1am, when the main illumination goes dark and only the blinking lights sparkle.
We spent two hours at the tower that first night, walking from the far end of Champ de Mars and then up to the best viewing area, across the Seine River to climb the large steps of the Palais De Charlot, a magnificent set of large buildings North West of the Eiffel Tower.
To see the tower for the first time, and at night, was amazing. Even when we returned during the day it's still a very impressive structure -- hard to imagine it was erected as a temporary monument to be removed after the end of the world's fair.
We spent the next three days exploring as your typical tourist would. Paris in November was cold and windy. Visiting the Arc De Triomphe and walking through its giant arches was amazing, though extremely windy given it's location and position. The enormous French flag suspended in the center of the arch ruffled and snapped in the strong wind, making for an memorable experience.
After just seeing the movie Da Vinci Code, I was anxious to see the Louvre Musueum and visit the nearby Notre Dame. We first saw the Louvre during the day and it is an impressive mix of traditional Paris architecture and a modern day glass pyramid which you really have to see in person to appreciate.
I immediately decided I would photograph the museum at night as it had been raining lightly throughout the day and I hoped there would be a subtle glistening of light on the ground to enhance the scene. To my surprise, when I arrived at the Louvre that evening, there was no one in the vast cobblestone courtyard, unlike during the day when there were large groups of people moving about.
It was a 15 minute brisk walk along the Seine River to Notre Dame. The face of this magnificent building was lit up and cast deep shadows in the towers making for an amazing photo opportunity.
Paris is a large city full of famous sites to see. The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower is something I won't soon forget and walking through the labyrinth narrow streets brought a new photographic opportunity at every bend. Paris was expensive due to the weak Euro and we had a hard time finding good food (and reading the menus!). All in all, it was a good trip and I'd do it again but there are many other new places to see first.
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I experimented with some monochrome shots throughout the trip to Paris. Here are a few of my favorites. |
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