29/7/13 Paris Day 2

The Arc de Triomphe sitting in the centre of a huge roundabout. You can only access this icon by underground tunnels...it made everyone look like Meerkats popping up & down out of the ground.

 

Now we're in the inner circle...ooh look how big it is?

So because you just have to try everything once, we actually paid money to climb the longest, steepest spiral staircase I have ever seen. It looks black down the bottom, because it is...just shut up & keep climbing!

You are going to get sick of them, but selfie proof that we got to the top...ooh is that the Eiffel Tower behind me on the right & the Champs Elysse on the left? You betcha!

The climb was as much fun down as it was going up. This is the beautifully carved underside of the arch.

I could not get Notre Dame in one shot that would allow you to see the level of detail on this Church.

This is the lower level.

And this is the top level with the dual bell towers.

The Church was started in the early 12th Century & successive religious leaders have added, restored, knocked down & rebuilt the Church over a 1/2 dozen times...I suppose because bigger & grander makes you & everyone else better believers or something like that?

I had to stand in the next street to get a full photo of the Church...it was amazing & very peaceful.

A little close up of the entry door arch so you can see the incredible detail.

Inside the Church is cool, calm & peaceful. I was surprised that it was free to walk in & take photos.

The light inside comes from a myriad of ornate stained glass windows.

This is a very modern confessional in a very old Church. You can see a man sitting across from the Priest.