Paris two thousand years ago was called Lutèce and the Romans, being Roman, built an arena for cool events like gladiator fights. This is Arènes de Lutèce in the middle of Paris and a handful of blocks away from our apartment.
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In between having some of the best pastries in the world, stunning food from our new local restaurant and sipping Champagne from the balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower (I know, I know!) we are actually getting out to see some sights.
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This once beautiful arena was forgotten and buried for several hundred years. In fact Victor Hugo (the writer of The Hunchback of Notre Dame) was responsible for helping to restore Notre Dame and this place too.
In it's hay-day, the 1st Century AD, it sat 15,000 people. Now it is a little forgotten Parisien attraction but a great example of fine Roman style and building.
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Staying close to home and investigating our arrondissement (area) is our policy at the moment. It is too easy to get burnt-out from seeing to much. Already it is hard to not eat too much as we are finding the food plentiful and cheap. Plentiful and cheap and delicious is a wicked combination. I put on several kilos last time I was here so I know how I tend to overindulge!
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A brisk morning walk here was a great start to the day before coffee. The place was deserted with a cool breeze blowing through. The city was quiet and a few birds flew around giving movement to this ancient place.
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Although I have been to Paris five times before this is the first time here. Funny how you tend to skip things but this time I am determined to see what I missed before. Having time in one city helps.
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Enough history for now. Show me the baguette au frommage et vin blanc!
Vive la France! Vive la gateau!
24 comments:
Oh, I so wanna be there right now! I just love Paris. Great pics! Have you been to the catacombs already? Love the atmosphere there.
Steufel- Thanks for dropping by! I have been to the catacombs- last time I was here and loved it. Of course, I wanted to steal a skull! Amazing place!
I loved the Arenas de Lutece when I was there last. Such a hidden gem! I totally missed the stairs you photographed those, hopefully I can take another trip there and find them the next time!
Thanks Jennilee for stopping. May you find those stairs on your next trip. Indeed a hidden gem!
As someone who comes from a "young" country, the architecture and history of Europe is irresistible. I so wish I was there too. Thank you for the photo tour!
Gotta do the balcony champers!! It's written into the French constitution you know. (Well, I don't, but it makes a good justification!) I WANNA BE THERE TOO!! SQUEAL!!
Swoon. Soupir.
These are such great posts, Don. I'm loving the photography!
ElleC- I know what you mean. In Australia old is 200 years. In England, some toilets haven't been cleaned in that long.
Beanie- I'm with you on that!
Leslie- Merci beaucoup!
Peter. Merci Peter!
Many years ago, my family and I "stumbled" upon the Arenes de Lutece. I read the plaque at one of the entrances and thought I was reading it wrong, 2000 years old? How could that be? Being from North America, of course, this seemed impossible. We have often returned to the place, to soak in the history. Your photos are wonderful, perfect for the old stones. Thanks for posting.
I'm loving your travel posts. Wish I was there with you, except for the putting on a few kilos part. ;-)
So enjoying your posts Don. Wonderful and entertaining if not also educational! Just wish I could also travel in the near future! You could buy some roman running shoes and jog from baguette to gateau (and back again)... ;)
Oh wow Don, I love the pics and enjoyed the info!
Hmm.... I know some of those English toilets.....!!!!!
Don I had never heard of the Arenes de Lutece till now. I have to see it one day. Lovely atmospheric photos.
It's Gâteau Don! Beware, for parisians have already had people killed for grammar stuffs.
Hey! I would recommend you to visit the musée d'Orsay, if you don't aleady did. Many Cheers!
Mim- Glad you found it I'm sure. It is such a long time by new-country standards.
Debbie- Thanks! Glad you like. Had salad today!
Louise- Glad you are enjoying my post. I am loving writing them.
Sabina- Thanks so much!
Beanie-Ha!!
Valerie- I hope you get a chance to see it.
Julien- Indeed you are right...being a little lazy with my circumflex accents but unfortunately windows laptops don't allow for accents. (If anyone has a tip for this it would be appreciated- as you cannot use the numbers above the keypad to create accents. If I had a Mac I could but not windows as you need a numeric (side) keypad.
Going to Musée d'Orsay possibly next week when some friends arrive in town. Stay tuned!
Please do not get me wrong! I was kidding. Besides I am from the south, so for me parisians are greedy city rats.
I'm glad u'll visit Orsay. It has a trully awesome former rail station structure, sure u'll like it.
Speaking of recommandation, do not forget that île de la cité is the beating heart of the city. leaning in the park near Châtelet les Halles is a good way to meet nice people in summer hot evening. Same thing for cité des sciences park, which sometime give free theatre movie night.
GNight! ^^
Enjoy! I was in Paris 2 times and it was wonderful! I will never forget those days. I hope that you enjoy so.:)
Julien- ha! the truth!
I understand the Parisians kiss too much as well- left/right/left/right.
Although I would not mind a kiss from a French woman as they are very attractive and very well dressed.
Thank you for the tips! Merci beaucoup!
Divna- Thanks so much. Loving every moment here!
Attention au vin blanc, ça donne mal à la tete. On ne peut pas se tromper avec un bon petit rouge, par contre!
Paris is wonderful--enjoy!
On some Windows lappie keyboards you hold the Fn key and then use the number row as the numpad. Or so I've heard. I'm still trying to figure it out on my lappie.
Deborah- Meri. Je prefere vin rouge.
Debbie_ Thanks for the tip...will give it a try
gorgeous photos, Don! it's hard for those of us from such young countries to really understand the age of things in Europe... in these, that sense of history is tangible...
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