This beautiful building was constructed as a result of a promise made by King Louis XV in 1744.  He was suffering from a serious and mysterious illness (later believed to be gout), and vowed that if he recovered he would construct a building worthy of the patron saint of Paris. 

He recovered, and construction of the Pantheon began in 1758 and was completed in 1789.  Many delays were related to lack of finances – a common reason for construction delays even today!

Since its completion coincided with the start of the French Revolution, the Revolutionary government order the building changed from a church to a mausoleum where the remains of great Frenchmen could be interred.  Although it has reverted to a church twice since then, today it is once again a mausoleum.

When I walked into the Pantheon it felt austere and cavernous.  I felt the need to use my “library voice.” 

It’s basically a cross-shaped building, with a domed center.  Around the walls are murals depicting religious and revolutionary figures (I particularly liked the series of Joan of Arc), as well at statuary and frescoes.

Continue reading for more information and photos!

In the center of the Pantheon beneath its dome, is a pendulum standing nearly 220 feet tall (67 meters).  This is Foucault’s Pendulum, named for Leon Foucault who, in 1851, built the pendulum to conduct experiments demonstrating the rotation of the earth.  I was absolutely mesmerized by its simplicity and beauty.

After spending time appreciating all this art and history, you’ll have the option of visiting the necropolis (mausoleum) or climbing stairs to get a view of Paris from the top.

Not entirely morbid, the Pantheon’s necropolis is also a work of art.  Here are buried many famous Frenchmen and one famous Frenchwoman.  A few of the notables include:  Alexandre Dumas (author of the Three Musketeers), Victor Hugo (author of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Voltaire, Rousseau, Emile Zola, Rene Descartes, Louis Braille and Pierre and Marie Curie (the latter the only woman buried here). 

Over the years there has been heated debate over who deserves and doesn’t deserve to be buried in this most sacred site.  Today, it takes an act of Parliament to be buried here.

I much preferred to climb up, however.  All 206 steps to the colonnade beneath the dome.  Don’t let the fact that this is a guided tour turn you away from this option.  It’s really only “guided” so that you don’t get lost on the way up!  And don’t worry about making the climb in record speed.  Go slow and rest along the way if you need to.

The view from the top is spectacular – a 360 degree view of all that Paris has to offer.  This is one of the best views in the city, in my opinion.

The Pantheon is located at Place du Pantheon in the 5th arrondissement.  The nearest metro is Cardinal Lemoine and the nearest RER is Luxembourg.

It is open 10 am – 6 pm October through March.  Starting April 1st it is open till 6:30 pm.  The upper area can only be visited April through September, and departure times very.  I’d recommend checking for a convenient tour time when you first arrive, and then work the remainder of your viewing around that time.

Admission is 8 Euros for adults, 5 Euros for ages 18-25, and free for everyone under 18.  It is an included admission on the Paris Museum Pass.  If you’ll be visiting several attractions, that’s a cost efficient option.

Photo credit:  all from personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

The Queen Mary served as both an elegant ocean liner and a WWII troopship, but for the last 40 years has been a California attraction, hotel, meeting center, and restaurant (actually three restaurants).  Although suffering from a little ship-worn look the past few years, the once elegant liner is being restored to its former glory with a major capital refurbishing campaign.

The ship is home to a 314 room Art Deco Hotel, decked out in the trappings of cruising in the 1930’s.  Adding to the charm is the largest collection of Art Deco artwork in the country. 

The ship also has a variety of boutiques, an Observation Bar with a killer ocean and skyline view, and fine dining at the Five Star Sir Winston Churchill restaurant.

General admission to the Queen Mary (includes a self-guided ship walk tour that explores 12 decks of the ship) is $24.95 for adults, $21.95 for seniors (55+)/military, and $12.95 for children ages 5 – 11.  Parking is additional and runs $15/day.

A variety of other tours and packages are also available.

The Queen Mary is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm, with extended hours for restaurants and bars.  There are also special nighttime tours available.  Since the ship has long been thought to be haunted, and it’s sailing history is rich in unexplained events and activities. these tours can be a lot of fun.

During the month of January, as a special offer for California residents only, the Queen Mary offers a FREE general admission ticket.  This offer requires proof of residency (driver’s license or other photo ID), and can be claimed at the box office during regular hours.

The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queen’s Highway in Long Beach (map it).

Photo credits:  All from flickr, exterior; bar; lobby

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

While I’m a little less familiar with Saint Paul, I’ve still spent some time in the area.  I still have a few things left to do and see on this list, but here are my Saint Paul list of suggestions:

1. Check out the Science Museum of Minnesota, across from the RiverCentre.  It is surrounded by parks and walkways, and is a wonderful spot to learn and to relax.
2. Take a child or be a child yourself at the Minnesota Children’s Museum (7th Street, between St. Peter and Wabasha Streets).  This is one of the largest children’s museums in the country, and has lots of hands-on exhibits for kids and adults alike.
3. The Minnesota Zoo (nearby in Apple Valley) is home to over 1,700 animals and 800 plant species, and a wonderful escape from the hectic pace of the world.  Get a great overview of the zoo from the monorail.
4. Tour Landmark Center, and its majestic castle-like structure on Rice Park.  This was once the Federal Courthouse, and the site of some infamous gangster trials back in the 1930’s.
5. Visit Landmark Plaza Park and the bronze statues of Peanuts characters Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie.  Creator Charles M. Schulz was a Saint Paul Native.  (You’ll also find Peanuts characters located on various streets around the city.)
6. Tour the Minnesota State Capitol on a hill overlook downtown Saint Paul, and take a gander at the largest unsupported marble dome in the world.  The capitol is home to some great art as well.  Tours are free.
7. Relax and wander in Como Park.  Beautiful gardens, waterfalls, amusement rides, and more.  The Japanese Gardens are part of a program with Saint Paul’s sister city of Nagasaki, Japan.
8. Valleyfair Amusement Park (in Shakopee) is 68 acres of thrills, and includes a water park.  This is the home of the Renegade, a world class wooden roller coaster.  Lots of options for all ages and all levels of thrill seekers.
9. The Cathedral of Saint Paul (Summit & Selby Avenue) is modeled after Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  Its dome is over 306 feet from the floor to the tip of its cross.  (In photo at right.)
10. Take a ride on the wild side with a gangster tour.  Sure, it’s a bit touristy, but you’ll get to visit some famous gangster crime sites, hideaways, nightclubs, and speakeasies, including Ma Barker’s home and Dillinger’s apartment.
11. Drive down Summit Avenue and take a gander at one of Saint Paul’s most prestigious addresses.  It’s rife with beautiful residential Victorian architecture stretching fours and a half miles to the Mississippi.
12. Go shopping at the area’s most famous indoor attraction – the Mall of America (in photo above).  The place is HUGE!  In fact, if it were all one level it would spread out over 35 city blocks!  There are over 500 shops, 50 restaurants, and 14 movie theaters.  But it’s about more than shopping, there is also Underwater Adventures (a walk through aquarium), NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway (a racing entertainment complex), Nickelodeon University and lots, lots more.

What are your recommendations of things to do is Saint Paul?  Please leave your suggestions in the comments.

Photo credit:  Flickr, Mall of America; Cathedral of Saint Paul

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe