My family and I recently had a chance to travel to Paris, France. It was part of a greater vacation across six cities and five countries (I will post more about those in the future. Paris was such an amazing city to see. Aside from being forced to deal with horrible weather (it rained heavily nearly half of the time we were there), we had an amazing time visiting all the different sites the city has to offer.
The first site we ventured over to see was the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, stands as a symbol of France and human architectural achievement.
Designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel, this wrought-iron masterpiece was completed in 1889 as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. Soaring to a height of 324 meters (1,063 feet), the tower held the title of the world’s tallest man-made structure for over four decades.
Its intricate lattice structure, consisting of 18,038 individual iron parts, showcases both beauty and engineering prowess. Visitors can ascend via elevators or a challenging stair climb to the tower’s three observation decks, each offering breathtaking panoramic views of Paris.
The Eiffel Tower has become synonymous with romance and has been featured in countless films, literature, and art. It remains an enduring testament to human ingenuity, attracting millions of tourists annually and serving as a beacon of France’s cultural and architectural heritage.
In addition to seeing the Eiffel Tower, we saw the Notre Dame Cathedral. Notre Dame Cathedral, a historic masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, has stood as an iconic symbol of Paris for centuries. Its construction began in the 12th century and continued for nearly 200 years, resulting in a stunning cathedral with intricate stone carvings, flying buttresses, and the renowned Rose Window. However, tragedy struck on April 15, 2019, when a devastating fire engulfed the cathedral’s roof, causing the spire to collapse and extensive damage to its interior.
In the wake of this catastrophe, an ambitious restoration project was launched. Skilled craftsmen and artisans are meticulously working to repair and reconstruct the damaged portions of the cathedral, employing traditional techniques and materials to ensure historical accuracy. The project aims not only to restore the structure but also to incorporate modern innovations to make the cathedral more resilient to future threats. With support from around the world, including significant financial contributions, the restoration of Notre Dame represents a global effort to preserve this architectural treasure and cultural heritage for future generations.
In addition to these two great sites, we explored the Sainte-Chapelle, visited the Jardin du Luxembourg, and walked for hours throughout the city.
Overall, we had an amazing time exploring this city. Our family made a lot of memories on the vacation and hope to travel across Europe again in the near future.