France and Spain, 2003
In 2003, Carol and Ron spent a week in France
(mainly Paris) and a week in Spain (mainly Barcelona).
Paris
- Notre Dame de Paris (rear). Construction began in 1163. Major construction
ended in the 13th century.
The
cathedral suffered badly during French Revolution. During the 19th century, an
extensive restoration project was completed, returning the cathedral to its
previous state.
Paris
- Eiffel Tower - Here Carol proves the Eiffel Tower is not as large as people
think.
Paris
- Île (Island) St-Louis. If Ron was rich, this is where he would live. (Typical
rent for a 1BR is over $3000 a month.)
Paris
- Musée national du Moyen Âge (The National Museum of the Middle Ages). Also
called Musée de Cluny. Fragments of the original art of Notre Dame. Sculpture
ripped from the monuments and cathedrals by revolutionaries were brought
together at this museum.
Paris
- Musée du Louvre. Daniel in the Lion's Den. Carved in the 6th(!) century in
Aquitaine; re-carved in the 12th century (except for the front face) to
represent Daniel in the lions' den.
Chartres,
France -Chartres Cathedral (1145 - 1220) - One of the most famous cathedrals in
France. Saved from the ravages of the French Revolution, its stained glass is
mostly gothic.
Paris
- National Maritime Museum of Paris. Beautiful ship's figurehead.
Ron
was there also.
Nimes,
France - Roman Temple from 100AD called the Maison Carrée. Best preserved Roman
Temple in the world! Open to the public.
Ron
and Carol stopped at Nimes on their way to Barcelona.
Nimes,
France (near) - Pont du Gard. One of the best preserved aqueducts in the world.
From first century AD. Height 160ft (48.8 m). (The river had recently flooded.)
Nimes,
France - Amphitheater. Dates from the first century A.D. With a seating
capacity of 21,000 it is admittedly not one of the largest, but it is one of
the best preserved of all the 70 known Roman amphitheaters. The day Ron and
Carol visited, the amphitheater was being used for bull fighting. (Not far to
Spain...)
Barcelona
- La Sagrada Família. In 1883 Gaudí was commissioned to build this church, a
task which he did not abandon until his death in 1926. This unique structure is
still being worked on.
Barcelona
- Jardins (Garden) de Joan Brossa (nearby). A beautiful set of stairs.
Water runs down each hand rail, making delightful sounds.
Montserrat
- A Benedictine Abbey built on a mountain outside Barcelona. A wonderful place
to hike.
Tarragona,
Spain - Another spectacular Roman aqueduct bridge, this time in Spain. Known as
the Puente del Diablo (Devil's Bridge). Height of 85 ft (26m) and a length of
817 ft (249m).