| Basilique du Sacre
Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) sits high on top of Butte de Montmartre
(Montmartre Hill) which is the highest point in Paris. The wedding
cake style church was consecrated in 1919. From the dome of the church
you can see all of Paris. Audrey and I were surprised at how dark
the inside of the church was comparing it to the outside, which is definitely
where the beauty of the church comes from. Montmartre which
means "Martyr Hill" got its name when the Romans beheaded Saint Denis,
the patron saint of France, on the hill. Saint Denis introduced Christianity
to Paris in the 2nd century. |
Sacre Coeur lies at the very
top of the hill. You must climb the steep streets and steps to get
to it. From the dome the view is spectacular. |
Looking down from the dome back
towards the Eiffel Tower. |
Audrey in the dome enjoying
the brisk May weather! |
Climbing all those steps was
tough!
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The enormous chateau was
built in the mid-1600s during the reign of Louis XIV (the Sun King).
30,000 workers and soldiers were needed to complete the structure.
Versailles served as the kingdom's political capital and the seat of the
royal court between 1682 and 1789. In addition to the chateau itself
there are vast gardens which you can explore, and get lost in! |
The huge Chateau de Versailles
looking from one of the gardens. |
Audrey in front of the immense
entrance paved with cobblestones.
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Galeries des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors). Can you imagine the kings
and queens walking through the hall admiring themselves?
One of the gardens right before a rain storm rolls in.
The gardens seem to go on and on to the horizon. If you come
to visit here, save a lot of time just for the gardens. There are
many forests, pools, statues, and fountains that you can enjoy.
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