Under The Eiffel Tower, Black and White

This photo was taken from underneath the Eiffel Tower looking up past the wide support legs towards the top of the tower and dramatic cloudy sky. The Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It was designed and built by the company of Gustave Eiffel, and completed in 1889 as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair. It sits on the Champ de Mars and overlooks the Seine River across from the Trocodoro. In the beginning there was much criticism for the design of the Eiffel Tower, with concern that it would overshadow the other magnificent sights in Paris, but now it is the most visited paid monument in the world with 6.91 million visitors in 2015. The Eiffel Tower is 1,063 feet tall ( 324 metres); the top level's upper platform is 906 feet (276 metres) above ground, making it the highest observation deck for the public in the European Union. During construction pieces of the tower were riveted together in a nearby factory and arrived on site on horse-drawn carts. No drilling or shaping was done on site; if it didn't fit it was sent back for alteration. A total of 18,038 pieces were joined together using 2.5 million rivets. Names of 72 French scientists, engineers, and mathematicians were engraved on the Eiffel Tower to recognize their contributions to the building of the tower. The tower was painted in 3 shades of brown: lighter at the top and getting darker towards the bottom to complement the Parisian sky.

Storm Clouds Over the Louvre, Paris

This photo was taken during the week of continual rain before the June 2016 flood in Paris. On this day the rain had stopped briefly, the storm clouds hung over the Lourvre, and tourists walked on wet pavement in the courtyard. The Louvre (Louvre Museum) was my favorite place to visit in Paris. It's grand architecture is impressive. It is located on the the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement of the city. Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century are exhibited at the Louvre. The Louvre was originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century under Philip II. You can see the remnants of the fortress in the basement. The Louvre was a palace and was extended many times. In 1682 Louis XIV left the Louvre and made Versailles his palace, making the Louvre a place to display the royal collection. In 1692 the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres and the Academie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture occupied the Louvre and held salons. The Academie remained at the Louvre for 100 years. During the French Revolution the Louvre became a museum to display the nation's masterpieces. Under Napoleon the collection was increased, but after his abdication some of his works seized by armies were returned to their original owners. The Museum has 3 wings: Sully, Denon, and Richelieu. Inbetween the Richelieu and Denon is the main court, the Cour Napoleon, which has a new main entrance under a glass pyramid built in 1988. From this courtyard you can see Napoleon's Arc du Carrousel, behind it the Tuileries Gardens, and in the distance the ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde. From inside the Louvre upstairs you can see the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Lamp in the Louvre Courtyard, Paris, France

This is the view of a lamp post in the Cour Napoleon, the main courtyard of the Louvre in Paris, France. The Louvre was my favorite place to visit in Paris. It's grand ornate architecture is impressive. It is located on the the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement of the city. It is the world's second most visited museum after the Palace Museum in China. Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century are exhibited at the Louvre. The Louvre was originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century under Philip II. You can see the remnants of the fortress in the basement. The Louvre was a palace and was extended many times. In 1682 Louis XIV left the Louvre and made Versailles his palace, making the Louvre a place to display the royal collection. In 1692 the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres and the Academie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture occupied the Louvre and held salons. The Academie remained at the Louvre for 100 years. During the French Revolution the Louvre became a museum to display the nation's masterpieces. Under Napoleon the collection was increased, but after his abdication some of his works seized by armies were returned to their original owners. The Museum has 3 wings: Sully, Denon, and Richelieu. Inbetween the Richelieu and Denon is the main court, the Cour Napoleon, which has a new main entrance under a glass pyramid built in 1988. From this courtyard you can see Napoleon's Arc du Carrousel, behind it the Tuileries Gardens, and in the distance the ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde. From inside the Louvre upstairs you can see the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

A Pedestrian Street In Old Town Nice, France

The Old Town area of Nice, France is a charming place to visit. I really enjoyed walking down the narrow pedestrian streets seeing the colorful buildings with many shutters, balconies, and flower pots. They were full of character. This area is near the base of Castle Hill. Nice is a beautiful city in the southeastern part of France, in the Cote d'Azur region, sitting on the Mediterranean Sea. It is near Monaco, Eze, and St. Paul de Vence. Nice is nicknamed, "Nice la Belle", which means "Nice the Beautiful". In the second half of the 18th century the beauty and mild Mediterranean climate attracted the upper class English who spent winters here. The main walkway along the coastline is called the Promenade des Anglais (Walkway of the English). The waters of the Mediterranean Sea are bright blue. The clear air and soft light of the region attracted artists like Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and others. Nice continues to draw many tourists. Some popular squares and pedestrian areas in the city are Place Messena, Place Garibaldi, Place Rossetti, Cours Saleya, and Place du Palais.

A Narrow Alley In Old Town Nice, France

Nice is a beautiful city in the southeastern part of France, in the Cote d'Azur region, sitting on the Mediterranean Sea. It is near Monaco, Eze, and St. Paul de Vence. Because the border of Italy is nearby, some of the architecture in Nice is Italian. Nice is nicknamed, "Nice la Belle", which means "Nice the Beautiful". In the second half of the 18th century the beauty and mild Mediterranean climate attracted the upper class English who spent winters here. The main walkway along the coastline is called the "Promenade des Anglais" ("Walkway of the English"). The waters of the Mediterranean Sea are bright blue. The clear air and soft light of the region attracted artists like Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and others. Nice continues to draw many tourists. Some popular squares and pedestrian areas in the city are Place Messena, Place Garibaldi, Place Rossetti, Cours Saleya, and Place du Palais. In medieval times Nice was protected by a fortress on Castle Hill, a limestone rock 93 meters high overlooking the sea. Now it is a park that provides panoramic views of the coastline, city, and the marina below full of colorful boats and wealthy yachts.

Fountain Courtyard In Eze, France 2

Eze is a beautiful medieval village high on top of a mountain in the French Riviera. It sits on a high cliff 1,401 feet above sea level, giving visitors amazing views down to the blue Mediterranean Sea below. Eze is quite a charming place to visit with narrow cobblestone alleys, art galleries, and an amazing cactus garden at the top of the mountain where weathered statues of slender ladies are on display throughout the garden. At every turn down an alley or path, the views are stunning and full of charm. The area around Eze was populated around 2000 BC, and was occupied by both the Romans and Moors. The House of Savoy built up the town in the late 1300's as a fortified stronghold because it was close to the city of Nice. Nice sits west of Eze, and Monaco sits east of Eze. You can read about our adventure in Europe in my husband's book, "Vagabonds in France", by Michael A. Barry. Come with us as we lose our home, put everything in storage, and navigate through Europe for a few months with no return date or home to come back to. Sail across the Atlantic, dodge pickpockets, climb mountains, descend into the Paris Metro, endure nasty weather and illness, witness the flood of the century, and meet some wonderful and not-so-wonderful people. Chuckle with us as we live among the French and try to learn their ways and language. Then make it back home to an empty house we'd never seen before. The book with its 75 illustrations is available in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCUNSEK .

Roman Colosseum in Arles, France

The historical city of Arles is in central southern France along the Rhone River, in the area of Provence. The nearby Camargue delta area near the Mediterranean is considered part of Arles, where wild flamingos, bulls, and horses roam. The prominent landmark in the center of Arles is the Roman Colosseum built in 90 AD, which remains in great condition. Many narrow and pedestrian streets are in historical Arles. Homes are centuries old and full of character. Other landmarks are the Gallo-Roman theater, the Baths of Constantine, the Church of St. Trophime, and the Yellow Van Gogh Cafe where Vincent Van Gogh painted. Vincent Van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889 and made over 300 paintings and drawings while living there.

Hallway in Versailles, France

Versailles is an elegant palace in France. It was in incredible place to visit. In 2016 my husband and I took a day trip there from Paris. The immense size of the palace and grounds are impressive. This is a hallway inside the palace with black and white tiles, lined with sculptures all the way down. Sunlight peeks through the windows, adding to the mood. This photo is an HDR. You can read about our adventure in Europe in my husband's book, "Vagabonds in France", by Michael A. Barry. Come with us as we lose our home, put everything in storage, and navigate through Europe for a few months with no return date or home to come back to. Sail across the Atlantic, dodge pickpockets, climb mountains, descend into the Paris Metro, endure nasty weather and illness, witness the flood of the century, and meet some wonderful and not-so-wonderful people. Chuckle with us as we live among the French and try to learn their ways and language. Then make it back home to an empty house we'd never seen before. The book with its 75 illustrations is available in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCUNSEK

Claude Monet's Studio Window, Giverny France

This image is a peek into the art studio window of impressionist painter Claude Monet at his home in Giverny, France. Lush vines and flowers surround the home on trellises lining the entire front of the home. Monet's paintings hang on the wall of his studio which is filled with natural light. When looking out his window you can see the huge expanse of his lush cottage garden, a wonderful source of inspiration for his paintings. Claude Monet's garden and home in Giverny, France is about an hour west of Paris in the countryside near Normandy. In the late 1800's Monet discovered Giverny while riding by on a train. He fell in love with this quaint town and soon rented this home near the river. Later he purchased the home and spent over a decade designing and planting his famous garden. He diverted the nearby river to fill an area in the back for his waterlily pond and green Japanese bridge. Officials originally opposed his plans, but after finding out it was the famous artist they approved. Monet's garden is around 2 acres in size and the lush cottage garden near the pink and green home is filled with all kinds of paths, trellises, and flowers, smelling heavenly. The center of the garden is focused on a wide path lined with rows of rose-covered arbors. Monet spent much time outdoors painting in his impressionist style, especially scenes of his garden. Monet lived around 40 years in his home.

Lush Garden at Claude Monet's Home in Giverny, France 2

This is a watercolor version of the original image. Claude Monet's garden and home in Giverny, France is about an hour west of Paris in the countryside near Normandy. In the late 1800's Monet discovered Giverny while riding by on a train. He fell in love with this quaint town and soon rented a home near the river. Later he purchased the home and spent over a decade designing and planting his famous garden. He diverted the nearby river to fill an area in the back for his waterlily pond and green Japanese bridge. Officials originally opposed his plans, but after finding out it was the famous artist they approved. Monet's garden is around 2 acres in size and the lush cottage garden near the pink and green home is filled with all kinds of paths, trellises, and flowers, smelling heavenly. The center of the garden is focused on a wide path lined with rows of rose-covered arbors. Monet spent much time outdoors painting in his impressionist style, especially scenes of his garden. Monet lived around 40 years in his home.

Entrance To Claude Monet's Home, Giverny 2

Claude Monet's garden and home in Giverny, France is about an hour west of Paris in the countryside near Normandy. In the late 1800's Monet discovered Giverny while riding by on a train. He fell in love with this quaint town and soon rented a home near the river. Later he purchased the home and spent over a decade designing and planting his famous garden. He diverted the nearby river to fill an area in the back for his waterlily pond and green Japanese bridge. Officials originally opposed his plans, but after finding out it was the famous artist they approved. Monet's garden is around 2 acres in size and the lush cottage garden near the pink and green home is filled with all kinds of paths, trellises, and flowers, smelling heavenly. The center of the garden is focused on a wide path lined with rows of rose-covered arbors. Monet spent much time outdoors painting in his impressionist style, especially scenes of his garden. Monet lived around 40 years in his home.

Arbor Walkway To Monet's Home, Giverny

Claude Monet's garden and home in Giverny, France is about an hour west of Paris in the countryside near Normandy. In the late 1800's Monet discovered Giverny while riding by on a train. He fell in love with this quaint town and soon rented a home near the river. Later he purchased the home and spent over a decade designing and planting his famous garden. He diverted the nearby river to fill an area in the back for his waterlily pond and green Japanese bridge. Officials originally opposed his plans, but after finding out it was the famous artist they approved. Monet's garden is around 2 acres in size and the lush cottage garden near the pink and green home is filled with all kinds of paths, trellises, and flowers, smelling heavenly. The center of the garden is focused on a wide path lined with rows of rose-covered arbors. Monet spent much time outdoors painting in his impressionist style, especially scenes of his garden. Monet lived around 40 years in his home.

Claude Monet's Waterlily Pond, Giverny, France

I also have a painterly version of this photo in impressionism style. Claude Monet's garden and home in Giverny, France is about an hour west of Paris in the countryside near Normandy. In the late 1800's Monet discovered Giverny while riding by on a train. He fell in love with this quaint town and soon rented a home near the river. Later he purchased the home and spent over a decade designing and planting his famous garden. He diverted the nearby river to fill an area in the back for his waterlily pond and green Japanese bridge. Officials originally opposed his plans, but after finding out it was the famous artist they approved. Monet's garden is around 2 acres in size and the lush cottage garden near the pink and green home is filled with all kinds of paths, trellises, and flowers, smelling heavenly. The center of the garden is focused on a wide path lined with rows of rose-covered arbors. Monet spent much time outdoors painting in his impressionist style, especially scenes of his garden. Monet lived around 40 years in his home.

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain 2016

The Sagrada Familia is an iconic landmark in the city of Barcelona, Spain. Designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, it has a very unique look combining Art Nouveau, Curvilinear, and Gothic styles. Construction began in 1882, and in 1926 when Gaudi died it was less than 25 percent complete. As of 2010 it was 70 percent complete. Construction has continued slowly since it relies on private donations and ticket sales for funding. Construction completion is anticipated for 2026, which marks 100 years since Gaudi's death. When it is finished it will be the tallest church building in the world. Visiting Sagrada Familia is an amazing experience that I will never forget. This is the most unique building I have ever seen!

Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand

Wat Arun, one of Thailand's best known landmarks, sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It is known as the "Temple of Dawn" as the early morning light beautifully reflects off of its light porcelain surface. The tallest structure is its central prang, or tower, surrounded by four smaller ones. Crossing the choppy Chao Phraya River with this view was a moment I will never forget.