Lynn and Mike were feeling the jet lag and begged off from dinner. So Ellen and Brian and Stacey and I decided we would head for the Tour Eiffel for dinner in that neighborhood and then an evening viewing of the tower.
Sunset on Rue Cardinal Lemoine as we started out for dinner.
Nightime is the best time for seeing the tower as it is splendidly illuminated - it looks like a golden needle. Monseur Eiffel designed it for the 1889 Worlds Fair and it was to be a demonstration of the tremendous strength of steel. Indeed, it is said that with that demonstration, it became clear to many designers and architects that the modern skyscraper was possible using steel as its skeleton. The Tower inspired huge controversy and made some people furious in their detestation, including many of the leading intellects of the day. One called it a "hollow candlestick." But over their objections it quickly became identified with Paris and beloved by Parisians and the world. No amount of photographs or words can describe ones feelings when confronted by its awesome size and grandeur. It is simply and overwhelmingly beautiful and graceful.
Getting off the train and walking around the corner - Oh! There it is. It inspires the same feeling in me as viewing the Empire State Building as you walk around Manhattan, but even more impressive.
Taking the Number 10 Metro to Le Clos de Gourmet near the Tour Eiffel.
We saw the Eiffel Tower walking down the street. (yuk, yuk).
Like the Empire State Building in New York, the Tour Eiffel is glimpsed here and there and always beautiful.
Dinner was at Le Clos de Gourmets, a Frommer Guide Book recommendation and, as is true most of the time, he was right on the money. Not too expensive, we chose the EUR33 (about $40) prix fixe dinner and we were not disappointed. The women chose a starter fricasee of wild mushrooms and snails in a cream sauce that was heavenly (I got a sample). For the main course, I had, hold your breath, the "crusty head of a pig." At least that was the somewhat stilted translation on the English menu. However, I'm a pork junky so the description piqued my interest. "Oh, no, no, no", the waiter said, slapping his face. "It's the cheek of the pig, not the whole head." "OK, I'll try it." And it was wonderful. The others had skate (which has become a favorite of Stacey's and mine back in the States). Skate, for those of you not in the know, is a ray (is a ray a fish?) with a delicious and flaky white meat.
After dinner at Le Clos de Gourmets.
On Rue Rapp - Le Clos Des Gourmets
Dinner was over and we needed a closer look at the Tower. It was just a block or two away and off we went. The lacey beauty of the steel work is evident as you get closer. Eiffel had put more than just steel into this tower - each beam is decorated with lovely filligree and those graceful curves in the support beams that comport to give it its magical appearance. Every hour, starting at eight, and continuing for 10 minutes, strobes are flashed in a dizzying and random pattern the through the height of the tower so that it seems to be covered with tiny bright dancing lights. Spectacular!
Around the corner from our restaurant and just a short walk away.
Beautiful curves and inlaid design elements make a simple tower an elegant thing of beauty.
Up and up it goes.
Le Tour Eiffel.
We walked to the Metro through the Champs de Mars - the vast field adjacent to the tower, at the other end of which is the Ecole Militaire - where wounded soldiers from the Frances' wars (and there were many of them) were cared for. It had been a long day and a long night, but filled with exciting Parisian sights. Even though we had been to Paris several times before, it was not failing to attract and excite us once again.
Your Blog hostess and host - tired but happy, on the way back to the hotel.
3 comments:
I don't understand why you have to go all the way to Paris to see a Eiffel Tower when there is one right at home in Las Vegas.
You lucky Parisian Dawgs.
As usual great descriptions. Read it to Mickey (he can't read) and when I asked him if he was bored he gave me a loud resounding NO. LUV ya both.
Hi you all, it is so great that you are making the most of life and really getting around. I love reading your blog, Matt.
See you in November--Matt, maybe before. Will you sit in on our meeting about the mural notecards? We could use your expert testimony if you are going to be in town.....I think that was October 27th (Okay, no more business talk.)
Still riding my bike to work a couple of times a week, loving it.
With love
Alice
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