France 2004

Pont Marie, bridge over the river Seine
View from the Île St-Louis over the Seine to the north
Notre Dame seen from the end of Pont St-Louis
Notre Dame
Entrance of Notre Dame de Paris
Front view of Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Chancel of Notre Dame de Paris
Gothic arch of Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame de Paris
Gothic arch of Notre Dame de Paris
Colorful rosette of Notre Dame de Paris
Organ above the entrance of Notre Dame de Paris
Chancel of Notre Dame de Paris
Chancel of Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame de Paris
Palais de Justice
Metro station "Cite"
Conciergerie on the Île de la Cite
Postcards of Paris
Voie Georges Pompidou
The youngest part of the Palais-Royal Louvre around the Cour Carrée
St-Germain L'Auxerrois
Cour Carrée of the Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre. The large glass pyramid in the middle of the Cour Napoleon can be seen through the gates.
Cour Carrée of the Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre.
The large glass pyramid in the middle of the Louvre was designed in 1989 by Ieog Ming Pei and built on the order of President François Mitterrand. It now serves as the main entrance to the museum.
Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre
Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre
Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre
The large glass pyramid in the middle of the Louvre was designed in 1989 by Ieog Ming Pei and built on the order of President François Mitterrand. It now serves as the main entrance to the museum.
Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre
Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre
Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre
Foyer of the Musée du Louvre
Foyer of the Musée du Louvre
Foyer des Musée du Louvre with the spiral staircase
Foyer of the Musée du Louvre
Foyer des Musée du Louvre, view up to the glass pyramid
Foyer des Musée du Louvre. Tunnels lead to each of the three wings of the museum (Denon, Sully, Richelieu).
Model of the mediaeval Louvre. The current palace stands on the foundations of the old castle.
During the renovation of the museum in the late 80s the old foundations of the mediaeval Louvre were dug out. The current palace stands on top of the concrete ceiling.
During the renovation of the museum in the late 80s the old foundations of the mediaeval Louvre were dug out. The current palace stands on top of the concrete ceiling.
Greek statue of the Venus de Milo
Greek statue of the Venus de Milo
Art students are drawing sketches of sculptures in the Louvre museum
Sculptures in the Musée du Louvre
At the top of a staircase in the southern wing of the Musée du Louvre you can see the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Picture gallery in the southern wing of the Louvre. This enormous hall spans almost over the whole length of the museum.
View from the southern wing of the Louvre over the Place du Carrousel and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
View from the southern wing of the Louvre over the Place du Carrousel
Picture gallery in the southern wing of the Louvre. This enormous hall spans almost over the whole length of the museum.
The Mona Lisa (Italian: La Gioconda; French: La Joconde), less commonly rendered as the Monna Lisa, is an oil painting on poplar wood by the famous Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. You will find direction signs all over the Louvre showing you the way to the most famous exhibit of the museum. You will find the painting in this hideous room protected by toned bullet-proof glass. It is surprisingly small and I am always thinking why someone would waste his precious time during a visit of this fantastic and elegant museum with the long walk to this room.
Picture gallery in the southern wing of the Louvre
Statues on the roof of the Louvre view down to the Cour Napoleon.
Musée du Louvre
Musée du Louvre
Sculpture in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Elegant glass roofs cover the inner courtyards of the southern and northern wing des Louvre
Sculptures in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Sculpture in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Sculptures in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Sculptures in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Elegant glass roofs cover the inner courtyards of the southern and northern wing des Louvre
Sculpture in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Sculpture in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Sculpture in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Sculptures in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Sculpture in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Sculpture in one of the two glass-roofed courtyards of the northern wing of the Louvre
Musée du Louvre
Staircase in the lobby of the Musée du Louvre. Interesting is the elevator in the middle of the spiral staircase.
View through the glass pyramid in the middle of the Louvre
View through the glass pyramid in the middle of the Louvre
View through the glass pyramid in the middle of the Louvre
The large glass pyramid in the middle of the Louvre was designed in 1989 by Ieog Ming Pei and built on the order of President François Mitterrand. It now serves as the main entrance to the museum.
The large glass pyramid in the middle of the Louvre was designed in 1989 by Ieog Ming Pei and built on the order of President François Mitterrand. It now serves as the main entrance to the museum.
Arc de Tromphe du Carrousel
Statue with doves at the entrance of the Jardin des Tuileries
Musée du Louvre
Jardin des Tuileries
Statue in despair with a dove on its head
Sculpture in the Jardin des Tuileries
Jardin des Tuileries
Fountain on the Place de la Concorde
3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk decorated with hieroglyphics exalting the reign of the pharaoh Ramses II. on the Place de la Concorde
3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk decorated with hieroglyphics exalting the reign of the pharaoh Ramses II. on the Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde
Metro station
Souvenir shop nearby the Montmartre's Basilica of Sacré Cœur
Basilica of Sacré Cœur in Montmartre
View from the Basilica of Sacré Cœur in Montmartre over Paris
View from the Basilica of Sacré Cœur in Montmartre over Paris
View from the Basilica of Sacré Cœur in Montmartre over Paris
Basilica of Sacré Cœur in Montmartre
View from the Basilica of Sacré Cœur in Montmartre over Paris
Basilica of Sacré Cœur in Montmartre
By night the Musée du Louvre is illuminated by thousands of small lights hidden in niches and protrusions of the baroque facade the magnificent museum.
By night the Musée du Louvre is illuminated by thousands of small lights hidden in niches and protrusions of the baroque facade the magnificent museum.
By night the Musée du Louvre is illuminated by thousands of small lights hidden in niches and protrusions of the baroque facade the magnificent museum.
By night the Musée du Louvre is illuminated by thousands of small lights hidden in niches and protrusions of the baroque facade the magnificent museum.
By night the Musée du Louvre is illuminated by thousands of small lights hidden in niches and protrusions of the baroque facade the magnificent museum.
By night the Musée du Louvre is illuminated by thousands of small lights hidden in niches and protrusions of the baroque facade the magnificent
By night the Musée du Louvre is illuminated by thousands of small lights hidden in niches and protrusions of the baroque facade the magnificent. The large glass pyramid in the middle of the Louvre was designed in 1989 by Ieog Ming Pei and built on the order of President François Mitterrand. It now serves as the main entrance to the museum.
Musée d'Orsay by night
Assemblée Nationale by night
The illuminated Assemblée Nationale, Pont de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower
Place de la Concorde
Assemblée Nationale
Esplanade and Hôtel des Invalides by night
The Eiffel Tower by night. At the top is a revolving searchlight. The steel structure is illuminated by thousands of lights hidden between the bracings. The Eiffel Tower (French: La tour Eiffel) is the most recognizable landmark in Paris and is known worldwide as a symbol of France. Named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, it is a premier tourist destination, with over 5.5 million visitors per year.
The Eiffel Tower by night. At the top is a revolving searchlight. The steel structure is illuminated by thousands of lights hidden between the bracings. The Eiffel Tower (French: La tour Eiffel) is the most recognizable landmark in Paris and is known worldwide as a symbol of France. Named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, it is a premier tourist destination, with over 5.5 million visitors per year.
The Eiffel Tower by night
The Eiffel Tower by night
The Eiffel Tower by night
The Eiffel Tower by night
The Eiffel Tower by night
The Eiffel Tower by night
The Eiffel Tower by night. It is 300 meters (986 feet) tall, not including the 24-meter television antenna on top, and weighs 10,100 tonnes. The tower was the worlds tallest structure for forty years.
Beach at Arromanches in northern France which is more known under the name "Gold Beach". Gold Beach was the codename for one of the invasion beaches during the World War II Allied invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944. It is situated about 24 kilometers east of Omaha Beach and was the first assault zone in the Britisch sector during Operation Overlord on D-Day. Arromanches was selected as one of the sites for two Mulberry Harbours built on the Normandy coast, the other one built further West at Utah beach. Sections of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches still remain today with huge concrete blocks sitting on the sand, and more can be seen further out at sea.
Arromanches
Sections of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches still remain today with huge concrete blocks sitting on the sand, and more can be seen further out at sea.
Huge beton blocks of the former Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
Huge beton blocks of the former Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
Beach at Arromanches in northern France which is more known under the name "Gold Beach". Gold Beach was the codename for one of the invasion beaches during the World War II Allied invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944. It is situated about 24 kilometers east of Omaha Beach and was the first assault zone in the Britisch sector during Operation Overlord on D-Day. Arromanches was selected as one of the sites for two Mulberry Harbours built on the Normandy coast, the other one built further West at Utah beach. Sections of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches still remain today with huge concrete blocks sitting on the sand, and more can be seen further out at sea.
Beach at Arromanches in northern France which is more known under the name "Gold Beach". Gold Beach was the codename for one of the invasion beaches during the World War II Allied invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944. It is situated about 24 kilometers east of Omaha Beach and was the first assault zone in the Britisch sector during Operation Overlord on D-Day. Arromanches was selected as one of the sites for two Mulberry Harbours built on the Normandy coast, the other one built further West at Utah beach. Sections of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches still remain today with huge concrete blocks sitting on the sand, and more can be seen further out at sea.
Huge beton block of the former Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
Huge beton blocks of the former Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
Huge beton blocks of the former Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
Huge beton blocks of the former Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
Huge beton blocks of the former Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
Huge beton blocks of the former Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
Huge beton blocks of the former Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
This beach on the rough Normandy coast is known as the so called Omaha Beach. Omaha Beach was the Allied codename for one of the principal landing points during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. The beach is about 3.5 miles long, from St. Hondrine to Vierville sur Mer. Over 4,000 American and about 700 German soldiers died within only a few hours during the terrible carnage.
View to Strong Point WN 62 (Stützpunkt WN 62) above Omaha Beach. It was one of the most armoured strong points along the shoreline of the American sector.
This beach on the rough Normandy coast is known as the so called Omaha Beach. Omaha Beach was the Allied codename for one of the principal landing points during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. The beach is about 3.5 miles long, from St. Hondrine to Vierville sur Mer. Over 4,000 American and about 700 German soldiers died within only a few hours during the terrible carnage.
View to Strong Point WN 62 (Stützpunkt WN 62) above Omaha Beach. It was one of the most armoured strong points along the shoreline of the American sector. The picture shows one of two bunkers equipped with 7,55cm field cannons covering most of the beach.
One of the two bunkers with heavy field artillery of Strong Point WN 62 above Omaha Beach
One of the two bunkers with heavy field artillery of Strong Point WN 62 above Omaha Beach
One of the two bunkers with heavy field artillery of Strong Point WN 62 above Omaha Beach
View from Strong Point WN 62 (Stützpunkt WN 62) over Omaha Beach. It was one of the most armoured strong points along the shoreline of the American sector.
Memorial for the American Fifth Engineer Special Brigade on the roof of a artillery bunker of Strong Point WN 62 (Stützpunkt WN 62) above Omaha Beach
Memorial for the American Fifth Engineer Special Brigade on the roof of a artillery bunker of Strong Point WN 62 (Stützpunkt WN 62) above Omaha Beach
View over Omaha Beach
Bunker of Stützpunkt WN 62 above Omaha Beach
Monument of the 1st US-Infantry-Division on Omaha Beach
View to Strong Point WN 62 (Stützpunkt WN 62) above Omaha Beach. It was one of the most armoured strong points along the shoreline of the American sector. The picture shows one of two bunkers equipped with 7,55cm field cannons covering most of the beach.
Mont-Saint-Michel by night
Mont-Saint-Michel by night
City wall of Mont-Saint-Michel
Restaurant in Mont-Saint-Michel during the night
Picturesque Old Town of Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel at night
Mont-Saint-Michel at night
Mont-Saint-Michel at night
Mont-Saint-Michel at night
Mont-Saint-Michel at night
Light and shadows in the streets of the Old Town of Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel
The open kitchen of a restaurant at the main entrance of Mont-Saint-Michel
Picturesque Old Town of Mont-Saint-Michel
Picturesque Old Town of Mont-Saint-Michel with cobbled pavement in the narrow streets between shops and houses
Picturesque Old Town of Mont-Saint-Michel
Stone figure of a proud knight on a wall in the Old Town of Mont-Saint-Michel
Picturesque Old Town of Mont-Saint-Michel at night
Picturesque Old Town of Mont-Saint-Michel at night
Gate to the upper sections of Mont-Saint-Michel. The weather conditions were terrible and it was raining cats and dogs.
The stair leads to the abbey church of Mont-Saint-Michel. The weather conditions were terrible and it was raining cats and dogs.
Faucet in the wall below the abbey church of Mont-Saint-Michel
Interior of the abbey church of Mont-Saint-Michel. The work on the chuch began in the 11th century.
This door leads from the inside of the church to the main terrace with a magnificent view over the surrounding wadden sea.
A couple is standing on the large terrace in front of the abbey church. She wears a pink umbrella to protect herself from the inconvenience of the bad weather.
Terrace in front of the abbey church
Terrace in front of the abbey church. Deep below lies the tideland of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean.
View from the terrace in front of the abbey church
The parking space in front of the city walls of Mont Saint Michel is sometimes also flooded by the tide. The tides can vary greatly, at roughly 14 meters between high and low water marks. Popularly nicknamed St. Michael in peril of the sea by mediaeval pilgrims making their way across the tidal flats, the mount can still pose dangers for visitors who avoid the causeway and attempt the hazardous walk across the sands from the neighbouring coast. The dangers from the tides and quicksands continue to claim lives.
Tideland around Mont Saint Michel
View from the terrace in front of the abbey church to the Cloister
The Cloister of Mont Saint-Michel. It comprises a roofed gallery surrounding a small garden.
The Cloister is a place for meditation and discussion
East of the Cloister lies the Refectory. It was normally used as a guest hall.
Tower of the abbey church
The Guest or Dining Room is situated on the second floor of the Merveille. It has two large fireplaces once used to prepare the meals. The cooking area was separated from the rest of the room by tapestries.
During the French Revolution the abbey was almost deserted. It was closed down and converted into a prison - mainly for political prisoners of the clergy. In this period the mountain was often called Mont Libre - a taunting name for a jail for 15,000 to 18,000 political prisoners. Raspail and Barbès were only two of the many jailed high above the Atlantic Ocean. A movement around Victor Hugo later was successful in saving and restoring the architectural heritage of the abbey. The prison was closed down in 1863 and Mont-Saint-Michel was declared are national monument in 1874. This linkage was used to transport supplies for the prisoners to the abbey. The mechanism worked like a sleigh on the outer wall of the foundation.
The Saint-Etienne Chapel was constructed in the second half of the 12th century
The Knight Room (Scriptorium) is situated below the cloister. Here the monks of the abbey copied of wrote precious handwritings.
Der Rittersaal (Scriptorium) befindet sich unter dem Kreuzgang. Hier arbeiteten die Mönche der Abtei an wertvollen Handschriften.
View on the west front of the so called Merveille. It is a composition of six large halls divided over three floors, built between 1204 and 1228. The cloister is on the third floor. Below lies the scriptorium. More information can be found under: http://www.abbayedumontsaintmichel.net
Alleyway in the Old Town of Mont Saint Michel. Unfortunately the weather conditions were catastrophic on that day.
Alleyway in the Old Town of Mont Saint Michel. Unfortunately the weather conditions were catastrophic on that day.
The parking space and the dam in front of the city walls will be pulled down to ensure that the tide can flow again freely around Mont Saint Michel.
Mont Saint Michael is not only an abbey but also a small town with about 50 citizens. It was founded in 708 and lived on pilgrims during the mediaeval times and nowadays on tourists visiting the mountain.
City wall of Mont Saint Michel
Le Pont de Normandie connects Honfleur and Le Havre over the Seine
Le Pont de Normandie connects Honfleur and Le Havre over the Seine
Highway toll stations close to the Pont de Normandie bridge
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Half-timbered house across from the Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
The interior of the cathedral is 455 ft. long, 98 ft. wide in the nave, and 125 ft. high in the centre, and comprises a nave with aisles, transepts with aisles, a choir with double aisles, and an apse with ambulatory and radiating chapels.
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Rose-window over the main portal of Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Stained glasses of the famous Russian painter Marc Chagall in the cathedral
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims
National Cemetery south of Verdun
Cross on the grave of a French soldier
National Cemetery south of Verdun
Tower of the Douaumont Ossuary
View from the tower of the Douaumont Ossuary over the National Cemetery with the graves of 15.000 French soldiers
View from the tower of the Douaumont Ossuary over the National Cemetery with the graves of 15.000 French soldiers
Endless number of crosses on the Douaumont National Cemetery
View from the tower of the Douaumont Ossuary over the National Cemetery with the graves of 15.000 French Soldiers
French flag on the Douaumont National Cemetery
Douaumont Ossuary
Tower of the Douaumont Ossuary
Bomb craters nearby the Douaumont Ossuary
Bomb craters nearby the Douaumont Ossuary
Bomb craters nearby the Douaumont Ossuary
Endless number of crosses on the Douaumont National Cemetery
Douaumont Ossuary
  
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