Paris by Train

Eiffel Tower Bridge Bir-Hakeim at Night

Ben — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:52:14 +0000

Eiffel Tower at night with Bridge Bir-Hakeim in front (photo by Cal Redback). This bridge is passable by foot, car and is also used by Metro Line 6 to cross the Seine on the top platform. In the photo there is a line of light above the bridge which is actually from the Metro train passing by although the train itself is not visible due to the long exposure of the photo.

Recently Bridge Bir-Hakeim was used in the film Inception where Ariadne creates mirrors between the columns.

Close by:
Île aux Cygnes (Swan Island) is a long thin island in the middle of the Seine, accessible by foot, connecting Bridge Bir-Hakeim to Bridge Rouelle and finally Bridge Grenelle closer to the Eiffel Tower. On this island is a 1/4 replica of the Statue of Liberty, inaugurated 3 years after France gave the United States the full-size version.

Paris by Cal Redback

Photo - Paris Metro Train in Station

Ben — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:18:37 +0000

Clean white tiled Metro station photo by David Duchens showing the blue-green & white color of the classic-style Paris Metro trains. Most lines feature this style of train, although some lines have been upgraded, namely Paris Metro line 1 and 14. These two lines feature Metro cars that are unseparated allowing you to pass from one car to the next while in motion.

inside by David Duchens

Photo - Eiffel Tower in Fog

Ben — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:49:32 +0000

Photo of Eiffel Tower from below towards bridge Iéna & the Trocadero on a low-cloud foggy night.

Eiffel by KOSTAS

Photo - Paris Lights from Space

Ben — Sun, 05 May 2013 21:19:08 +0000

Here’s a photo of Paris city lights as seen from 250 miles above Earth on the International Space Station.

Looking closely you can see a rough circle that marks “central Paris”, an area within the “Périphérique” freeway that surrounds Paris. The expanding spiral layout of central Paris, much like a snail’s shell, can also be followed by the light layout.

The top of this photo is south and the bottom north, so Versailles is in the top right corner, Bois de Boulogne forest is the dark rectangle on the right, Bois de Vincennes the dark splotch left.

Can you guess what is the brightest spot in all of Metropolitan Paris? (Bright yellow spot center top).

It’s none other than… Disneyland Paris!

Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut currently onboard the International Space Station has been taking photos of cities by night.

Photo - Ballerina in Paris Metro

Ben — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:46:26 +0000

Ballerina in Metro is a photo taken by pro photographer “Little Shao” (Thinh Souvannarath, based in Paris), well-known for his focus on hip-hop & dance photography worldwide.

A Ballet Dancer In Paris Metro by Little Shao

Photo - Lighthouse in Brest, France

Ben — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:31:52 +0000

Petit Minou Lighthouse (”Little Mouth”) on the western tip of France near Brest (Bretagne region). Completed and began service in 1848 and still operates today.

Closest TGV train station is Rennes.

Sous le Petit Minou by LE DILHUIT Nicolas

Paris Bus Map

Ben — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:03:49 +0000

Download a map of Paris city bus. This Paris bus map also lists operating days for Paris bus lines, and bus frequency (approximate).

Buses use the same ticket as Paris Metro, the ticket t+. It’s better to buy bus tickets before you get on the bus as the bus drivers sell tickets that are more expensive (2€ vs. 1.70€) and you cannot transfer to other bus lines with the ticket “sans correspondance” which bus drivers sell.

Photo - Louvre Inverted Pyramid

Ben — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:37:42 +0000

Louvre inverted pyramid found inside & underneath the main courtyard’s glass pyramids. Designed by IM Pei and completed in 1993.

Closest Metro stations are Palais Royale - Musée du Louvre and Louvre Rivoli, both on Metro Line 1 (yellow).

Close by are the Tuileries Garden, which lead west towards Place de la Concorde with its Egyptian obelisk (and also the site of many beheadings during the French Revolution).

Ghosts by Conor MacNeill

Photo - Arc de Triomphe sunset

Ben — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:35:46 +0000

Arc de Triomphe with the last rays of sun spilling through the arch as evening arrives.

It’s possible to visit the top of this arch for a view over the city. It’s interesting to see how this monument lines up with the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, La Défense and the Eiffel Tower.

Closest Metro station is Etoile on Metro Line 6 (light green) the terminus station of this line.
Closest RER station is Charles de Gaulle Etoile on RER A (red). Same station for both the Metro & RER, just different levels (RER is further underground).

Close by is the famous tree-lined shopping street of Champs-Elysées leading south east towards Place de la Concorde and eventually onto Tuileries Garden & the Louvre.

Arc de Triomphe Twilight by Kajo Photography

Photo - Mont Saint-Michel

Ben — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:20:33 +0000

Le Mont Saint-Michel citadel in Normandy is an UNESCO World Heritage site, impressive to behold and visit. (Photo by Duc de Salier)

4 hours total travel time from Paris to Rennes to Mont Saint-Michel (TGV + coach [bus]) gets you to the citadel. Search for TGV tickets from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel. This will include the bus ride between Rennes & Mont Saint-Michel.

Other cities close by to visit:

Saint-Malo - ancient walled city.
Cancale - famous for its oysters & seafood

Mont Saint-Michel by Duc De Salier