One of my favorite places in Paris was the Pantheon, a neo-Classical church in the Latin Quarter.  It was modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, and topped with a dome similar to Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London.  Although it was originally an abbey, it now primarily serves as a burial place for many famous French heroes, leaders, artists, and writers.
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 …read more

 
Location:  The interior pillars and a glimpse of art from inside the Pantheon in Paris.
There’s marvelous murals on the walls, all sorts of interesting frescos, niches, an cubbies, and some beautiful windows.  It was amazing to wander about, and every time you turned around there was something awe inspiring.
 
Photo credit:  personal collection
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Standing in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle (also called the Place de l’Étoile) at the western end of the Champs-Élyseés, the Arc de Triomphe is the largest triumphal arch in the world. 
It honors those who bravely fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars.  ,  Beneath the arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I, marked by the very first eternal flame.  The flame burns in memory of those who died, but were not identified, in both WWI and WWII.  An inscription reads “Here lies a French soldier who died for …read more

If the thought of a fine bag, a decadent pair of heels, or the feel of the fabric of a finely crafted suit makes you swoon, then an afternoon on the Champs-Élysées in Paris may be your definition of heaven.
Avenue des Champs-Élysées is not only one of the most recognized street names in Paris, but in the entire world, and is lined with luxury and specialty shops, theaters, cafes and restaurants.  Its name translates to “Elysian Fields” a refererence to the “place of the blessed” in Greek mythology.  With the prices you’ll see at most of these shops and …read more

Today I have a guest post from Leyla Giray from Backpacking Women on the Road. 
Now I know what you must be thinking. . . “MJ, you’re not a backpacker.”  Well, that might be true enough, but there’s all sorts of things backpackers can teach the rest of us about travel, and one of those things is how to enjoy things off the beaten path — like spending a day is the French countryside.
 
 
Not south enough to be Provence, nor north enough to be Alsace or the Vosges, this tiny corner of France hides between two massive mountain ranges …read more

One of the most famous museums in the world is the Louvre, or more correctly the Musée du Louvre, and it was one of the items that was high on my Paris must-see list.  It is located on the Right Bank (of the Seine) in the 1st arrondissement.
Originally a palace, the museum is now home to some of the most world-famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Aphrodite/Venus de Milo.  It opened to the public in 1793, and since then the collections have grown to their current number of over 380,000.  It’s not the …read more

March 31st is the 118th anniversary of the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower, and boy do I wish I was there to celebrate!
Located beside the River Seine in Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in the city.  Following its completion in 1889, it was the tallest structure in the world, and remained so until the Chrysler Building in New York City displaced it from that top spot. 
The Eiffel Tower was originally built as the entrance arch for the Paris World’s Fair.  That  also marked the 100-year commemoration of the French Revolution.
It is now one of the most …read more

Today’s post comes from Lynn Rodriguez.  Lynn previously wrote Paris in the Fall so be sure to go back and read it if you missed it the first time around.
Lynn makes me feel like I’m sitting in a little cafe, having espresso, and planning what I’m going to do with the rest of the day. 
Thanks again, Lynn.  I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of your writing!
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FUSAC has been around for years. It means France USA Contacts. If you’re thinking of going to Paris or have just arrived, it’s a must have, and best of all, it’s free!
You can find an abundance of information …read more