***KnEeKo’S aRt ExPeDiTiOn***

Paris - Versailles

This is the place that Ebb Tide (thanks again) told me not to miss out when visiting Paris. Some of my choirmates went there around afternoon, we actually don’t know how to get there. We just depend on the map that we had on our hands and rode a bus then a train. We thought that we were lost because it was a long travel. Later we know that the place is outside Paris and the last station is Versailles.

Before entering the place we paid an entrance fee I forgot how much within the station then proceed a long walk to reach the palace.

All I can say is “WOW and more WOWS” until now. The area is very wide that we failed to wander for a half day. The gardens were so lovely, though I haven’t seen it all.

For those who are planning to visit Paris don’t miss Versailles on your list.

Versailles - a palace built in the 17th century for Louis XIV southwest of Paris near the city of Versailles .

The Château de Versailles — often called the Palace of Versailles, or simply Versailles — is a royal château, outside the gates of which the village of Versailles, France, has grown to become a full-fledged city.

Paris - Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre) in Paris, France, is one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. The building, a former royal palace, lies in the centre of Paris, between the Seine river and the Rue de Rivoli. Its central courtyard, now occupied by the Louvre glass pyramid, lies in the axis of the Champs-Élysées, and thus forms the nucleus from which the Axe historique springs.

The museum is open to the public from 7:30am - 10pm everyday, but that time was closed because it’s a national day. So we just walk around and took photos in every corners.

Paris - Eiffel Tower

When I think of Paris… the first thing came to my mind is the Eiffel Tower.

The scene (life size replicas) at the top of the tower covered by fiber glass, reconstructed by the Societe’ Nouvelle d’ Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, is of Thomas Edison’s visit on 10 September 1889.

Gustave Eiffel, represented here in the company of his daughter Claire, had prepared a small apartment at the top of the tower where he welcomed prominent guests for intimate receptions.

The Eiffel Tower (French: la Tour Eiffel) is a metallic tower built on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France, and is nowadays the most famous landmark and symbol of Paris. At the time it was built (1889), it was the tallest building in the world and remained so until 1930. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, it is a premier tourist destination, with over 5.5 million visitors per year.

NANCY - A Remarkable City - Part 2

History is often more generous to royal patrons than to artists. However, Stanislas I, the last of the great dukes of Lorraine and a legendary patron of the arts, did not overshadow the great talents of his period. With them, the builder-king gave Nancy its great squares - Place Stanislas, Place de la Carriere and Place d’ Alliance - which have recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

The talented Emmanuel Here, designed the facades with a precision that is hymn to harmony. The wrought-iron railings were designed by Jean Lamour and edged with gold leaf. Guibal sculpted the Fountains of Neptune and Amphitrite and wine flowed from them on their inaguration in November 1755.

Place Stanislas now counts as one of Europe’s finest public squares. Lively, warm, colorful that attracts visitors around the world. The masterful work in stone, bronze, wrought iron and paint of some of the great talents in their field achieved perfection in Nancy.

Since 2005 visitors have discovered a now pedestrian square renovated and embellished. Also, Nancy pays homage to the artists work and recreates the atmosphere of the era, a period of intense creativity that reaffirmed Nancy’s place in the history of art.

Source: Nancy Tourism

NANCY - A Remarkable City - Part 1

Few cities in the world are quite like Nancy. It is a city of art, culture and tradition; it is a meeting place where great talents can do research, discuss, create, innovate and invent. It is also a city in which people can gather, dance, stroll… The “Livre sur la Place” festival is a week - long literary celebration. Nancy Jazz Pulsations, a major event on the international jazz circuit, is organized at venues throughout the town adding a touch of colour and rhythm to autumn evenings. The Choir Festival thrills the town with a thousand international fantastic voices. Nancy has no shortage of events throughout the year to ensure visitors get the most out of their stay.

Place Stanislas is the ideal starting point for a walking tour of Nancy. The rectangular square, which was formerly known as Place Royal, is regularly the theater for traditional, cultural and folklore events. Restored to its original state in 2005 became-pedestrians only - to everyone’s satisfaction. Situated between the old town, built in the 10th century and 16th century new town, the square houses - the City Hall ( hotel de ville) the municipal opera house and theater as well as the Fine Arts Museum (musee des beaux arts). This museum prestigious collections take in almost every major period in the European art, from the 14th century to the present day. Works by, Caravvaggio, rubens, Delacroix, Mondigliani, Picasso, Rodin and Maillol.

To reach the old town, strolll trough Place de la Carriere, with its elegant urban architecture culminating with the double hemicycle of the Governor’s Palace, designed by the architect Emmanuel Here.

The medieval town with its narrow streets and numerous townhouses, former residences of local notables, offers the ideal setting for leisurely walk.

The last stop, Porte de la Crafee, is the last vestige of the city’s 14th century fortifications. A former prison, it was also the monumental arch
through which the Dukes of Lorraine passed before ascending the throne. A stone’s throw away, the Parc de la Pepiniere leads on to the new town, which was built under Charles III. Boasting a fine rose garden and an elegant bandstand, the gardens which were originally commissioned by Stanislas are popular among local residents.

The new town, also once fortified, is now a bustling city centre and boasts its fair share of fine buildings of architectural interest. Among them are the city’s Cathedral built by Boffrand and Mansart, the baroque church Saint Sebastien and Notre Dame de Bonsecours which was built by Here.

Source: Nancy Tourism

Thanks to pakner for introducing photobucket… I should have upload the photos on my gallery but for some reasons it’s not working. Wheeww…