Gettin’ Carried Away

This is my final post about my trip to Paris, France in 2006. I believe that traveling is not solely about what you see. It’s mostly about what you experience. I have been very fortunate to have engaged in two once-in-a-lifetime opportunities while visiting Paris, and I feel very privileged to have done so.

The Da Vinci Code

Written by Dan Brown, The Davinci Code rose to fame in 2003. In 2006, the story was captured on the big screen with Tom Hanks starring as the intelligent symbologist Robert Langdan. Both the novel and the film follow Langdan as he investigates a murder at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

~* Carrie at the last scene of The Da Vinci Code in the Louvre Museum *~

Not only did I get to see all the sights that appear in the film, but I had the chance to see the film premier in Paris, one day before it was released in theaters in the United States! As I sat in a quaint French theater (the Gaumont) nestled on the Champs Elysees, I viewed the film in absolute awe that I was seeing this world-famous movie before anyone in my home country.

Versailles

While venturing through Paris, many visitors make the half-hour trip to nearby Versailles, to see the royal chateau that many historical figures (including Marie Antoinette and Kings Louis XIV, XV and XVI). Roaming through the palace and marveling at the recreations of stately bedrooms and regal banquet halls is an amazing experience. However, I believe the true beauty is best viewable from the back of the property.

Standing atop the “backyard” steps, notice the breathtaking view of the Palace Gardens: vast, verdant lands filled with mazes of sculptured foliage, built around a sparkling Grand Canal. If you dare to take the seemingly mile-long hike to Marie Antoinette’s private retreat, the Petit Trianon, you will get to see the very recently restored (as of October 2008), three-story abode that the Queen often spent much time in.

My most memorable experience at Versailles was rowing a boat all around the Grand Canal. In the summer, follow in the steps of great French kings, who boated on the canal frequently. In 2006, a boat rental for four people cost roughly 40€ for one hour. That’s only 10€ per person! Boating on the Grand Canal is certainly one of my most memorable experiences I had while visiting France.

Month: May
Year: 2006
Location: Paris, France

While exploring a city on your own might offer you a bit more freedom, I highly recommend traveling with a group once in awhile. If you’re with someone who has A. done his/her research or B. has been to the city before, then you are in good hands. You may also get to see museums, monuments, churches and more at a cheaper (group) rate! Plus, you are bound to have some free time.

In Paris, there are the obvious sites to see: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, etc. But how many of you have heard of the Sacre-Coeurs or the Catacombs? On my week-long trip to Paris, I saw all of these things and more.

One thing I noticed about Paris: there are a ton of stairs! Unless you are handicapped, be prepared to do a lot of climbing. After visiting the Catacombs, the Arc and the Sacre-Coeur Basilica in one day, I climbed over 900 steps!

The Catacombs - A famous underground ossuary, this cemetery rests way below the ground. It takes 143 steps down a winding spiral staircase to get there and 83 steps back up to find freedom.

Arc de Triomphe - Standing at the Western end of the Champs Elysees, this stunning monument remembers those who fought for France, mostly during the Napoleonic Wars. It’s the best place to see Paris at night, and especially to view the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower. But get ready for a work out - you have to haul yourself up 284 stairs to get to the top!

Sacre-Coeur - At the top of Montmartre Hill, this Roman Catholic church boasts the second highest viewpoint of Paris at 271 feet. After venturing up the almost 300 stairs, you will see that the view of the city is definitely worth the climb.

~* Kisses from Carrie at Moulin Rouge *~

Also located in Montmartre, I had just had to see the infamous Moulin Rouge! Famous for its nightly cabarets and saucy can-can dancers, the Moulin Rouge was a hot spot at the turn of the 20th century. Today, it’s a tourist attraction that offers musical dance entertainment for adult visitors from all over the world. I won’t lie… you do have to pass some racy ‘red light district’ shops to get to the place. But no one really bothers you, and the photo op is really something!

“Voluz vous coucher avec moi ce soir!,” said Lady Marmalade.

Women in Paris: The Wicked and the Revolutionary.

This is the title of a literature course I decided to take in college. Why did I take it?

1. It fulfilled a requirement for my major.
2. It met once a week.
3. One of the requirements was to travel to Paris, France for one week in the summer.

~* Carrie in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France *~

Taught by two of the most amazing women I have ever met in my life, Women in Paris was led by Dr. Gina Rossetti, Assistant Professor of English, and Dr. Kathleen Waller, Associate Professor of religious studies. Along with about 15 other classmates, I explored how Paris served as a site for women’s radical movements for centuries.

Prior to the trip, I explored texts and films about Joan of Arc, and I thoroughly examined excerpts from Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary. I also read William A. Shack’s Harlem in Montmartre, and I imagined myself living in Paris during World War I, as jazz music started thriving in the Montmartre district in the 20s and 30s. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a journey and see everything that these female historical figures and fictional characters had spoke of so vividly.

When the time came to travel to City of Lights, my professors, my classmates and I piled into a coach bus and head to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. I packed lightly, and I had a passport for over five years already, so I really had no problem getting through to security. However, my professors were horrified to discover that a few of the students somehow were not even registered on the flight! Because of this, our entire group was upgraded to First Class! This is the one and only time I have ever flown in this cabin. And if you have the money — it’s worth it!

The seats recline almost completely flat to simulate a bed! This really helped me sleep through the almost nine-hour flight. And while airplane food is not my favorite thing in the world, you do get a slightly better meal in first class. However, I have flown to and from Europe four times, sitting in regular ol’ Economy, and it really isn’t all that bad. I recommend getting a window seat! Sure, you have to climb over someone to get to the lavatory, but you can rest your head near the window and get a bit more comfy if you’d like to fall asleep.

I will spare you the details of going through customs and checking into the hotel, as most of us have already been there. My next post will explore my fantastic journey to France, including sites like Notre Dame, the Louvre, Montmatre and Versailles!