After a short and late lunch at Cafe le deux magots, we walked to Place de la Concorde. Place de la concorde is also the largest square in Paris, this was also the place where public executions were performed.
Place de la Concorde, cobbled street with Luxor Obelisk at the center.
Designed in 1755, at the north face, 2 identical buildings are separated with Rue Royale, a quintessential design of the time. Around 1844, electrical lamp post were erected, I would say, very technologically advanced for that period.
Electrical lamp post existed more than 150 years old.
During 1788, the Duke of Crillon purchased the Aumont Hotel and much later renamed as Hotel de Crillon. The Crillon family resided here until 1907. It was also the headquarters of German High Command during World War II.
Hotel de Crillon
The plants outside the Hotel de Crillon.
Hotel de Crillon, bicycles are quite famous here.
There are 2 famous fountains built during the Louis-Phillipe era (1830-1848), these fountains are indeed old.
Fountains of Place de la Concorde.
Big statues at Place de la Concorde
Besides fountain and buildings, the Place de la Concorde also has an obelisk, Luxor obelisk to be accurate. The obelisk was given to the French during 1829 by viceroy of Egypt. The obelisk originated from Luxor Temple in Egypt.
Luxor Obelisk at Place de la Concorde, supposedly 100 metres in height.
Another look of the obelisk.
Place de la Concorde, a very famous tourist attraction.
So much so it also attracted wedding photographers, rich couple to be.
On the left the Arch de Triomphe
The gardens on the right of Place de la Concorde.
At the north face, the La Madeleine Church.
Walking toward the La Madeleine.
The La Madeleine is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus most celebrated disciple. Built around 1750s, the church has a pipe organ.
Closer look at the La Madeleine.
The flowers at the Church entrance.
Nice dome structure of the La Madeleine.
The statues in the church.
Another statues in the church.
Magnificent building of the La Madeleine.
After some long walking, we needed a stop for a drink and rest. Took out the GPS unit and started searching for any Starbucks Coffee outlet nearby. Partly, we wanted to visit the Starbucks and also probably get a special mug or cup from it.
The route of Place de la Concorde to La Madeleine followed by Starbucks and then National Academy of music and ending at Place Vendome.
Starbucks Coffee at Avenue de l'Opera.
It is a two story building. However, couldn't find a nice cup or mug.
Going up the stairs at Starbucks Opera.
Found a seat and took a photo of the brown sugar, nothing better to do.
At the main entrance of the Starbucks Opera.
After a break and feeling refreshed, more place to see.
At the other side, the Academie National de Musique.
Walking toward the national academy of music.
The signboards with video protection ?
Someone is playing the piano publicly, nice group of audience too, nice and relaxing place to be.
Closer up on the pianist with a seated listener
At the steps overlooking the Avenue de l'Opera, at the far end is the Louvre. The pianist is really talented.
The artistic statues at the academy.
At the side of the academy.
After lingering around at the academy, we wanted to visit another Starbucks Coffee nearby to purchase a mug or cup. To our surprise, there is another Starbucks Coffee joint at Boulevard des Capucines which is just 3 minutes from here. Found out that you are also locate yourself at facebook in Starbucks Coffee.
Starbucks Coffee at Boulevard des Capucines.
Starbucks is quite packed, not many cups or mugs available.
A different ambiance compared to our local Starbucks coffee. Very regal.
It is full, no doubt.
Alright, we have to move on, and our next destination is Place Vendome, which is about 10 minutes walk from here.
Place Vendome of the 1st arrondissement.
Place Vendome was laid out in 1702 as a monument to commemorate the glory of Louis XIV armies. Subsequently, Napoleon erected the Vendome column in 1806 to celebrate the victory of Austerlitz.
Place Vendome with the Vendome column in Paris evening light.
Another look at the column.
The old buildings at Place Vendome.
The tourist at the Place Vendome square.
Sunset at Place Vendome.
Place Vendome is located nearby to some very high end shopping outlet namely Rue Cambon.
Never heard of this brand, Charvet, a google search, revealed the world's first high end shirt maker and tailor since 1838.
Rue Cambon, a famous street for those brand conscious shoppers.
It's almost night, time for some dinner.
