A bumpy, death defying 3 hour bike trip is a great way to see the city. (Seriously!) Even better with a crazy American guide. Seth had some great stories. Full of confidence and praise, stressing the importance of dominating the roads as a pack. (This is as scary as it sounds) Reminding us that one beep actually means welcome to Paris and two beeps really means nice bike, we set out to see Paris.
The Ecole Militaire – Military School.
Created in 1750 for cadet officers of poor families. AKA Napoleon Bonaparte’s high school.
L’hotel National des Invalides
War vets were injured and homeless. This didn’t sit right in Louis XIV’s stomach. These men had fought for France and now they were living on the street. No no no this won't do. So he created des invilades, the national residence of invalids. A hospital and a retirement home for war vets – nice guy I guess
This building is also famous for another reason.
14th July 1789, a mob forced their way in stealing 28,000 rifles before the storming of the Bastille prison. Technically you could argue that this was the starting point for the French revolution.
On the other side of the building is the
Eglise du dome
Originally a chapel built for the royal family. It is now a burial site for war heroes including Napoleon Bonaparte. You can visit his tomb, designed by Napoleon himself. From the bottom level you have to look up to see his tomb and from the upper lever you have to bow down to see it. Even in death he is commanding respect.
Another fun fact about the church is the dome. After it was completed, Louis XIV decided that the roof was too high. To solve this problem another dome was created exactly the same and put underneath. During WW2 the French resistance hid weapons in gap between the two domes. The Germans never found out about it. - Hardy Ha!
Pontre Alexandre III Bridge
(This image above is taken from google)
The most extravagant bridge in Paris.
Named after the tsar Alexander III, who concluded the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892.
The Eiffel tower.
Everyone has heard of the Eiffel Tower. One story I hadn’t heard before was that of a guy named Lustig (con man) and guy named Poisson. (gullible) Lustig made Poisson belive that he worked for the government and they were selling the Eiffel Tower. But it was top secret. Poisson paid Lustig funds for the Eiffel tower and Lustig took off. Realising some time later that he had been scammed. He apparently never said anything. He was too embarrassed. I don't blame him. I would hate to be that gullible.
The whole story is on Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Lustig
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