Paris Wanderings, Day Seven

I took a little break from Paris posts but I'm back with a vengeance. My blog posts for the rest of this week will finally wrap up coverage of my January visit. Today we walk Avenue des Champs-Élysées...

I loved that this window-sill contained not one, but two little lemon trees, both with fruit!

I wonder if there were more and they've been picked and enjoyed?

Oh! A planty courtyard.

And we're here, the Arc de Triomphe.
I loved that when I went to look it up online, hoping to learn about the intricate carvings, I read "The Arc de Triomphe should not be confused with a smaller arch, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, which stands west of the Louvre" because of course I did.  The actual Arc de Triomphe "honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I." (source)

If you're curious about all the details then click over here, where you can read all about them.

I do find it interesting there are clothed people and naked people, all grouped together.
Equal coverage given to naked male bits...

And topless ladies.

The tomb of the unknown soldier.
Looking off into the distance on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is the La Grande Arche de la Défense, a monument and building in the modern business district.
In the opposite direction is the "Big Wheel" at Place de la Concorde, part of the Christmas village on the Champs-Elysées (there were still plenty signs of Christmas even though our visit took place in the second half of January).

Walking along the Champs-Elysées I was surprised at how many big American brands had shops and restaurants located there. Like this one...
At least they had a pretty fabulous dining pavilion out on the sidewalk.

This jerk was using his dog to beg for change.

That sign in the big brass frame probably talks about this installation planting. Funny I was so busy snapping pictures I didn't even stop to read it.

That's an old olive tree!

They did a pretty good job of hiding the plastic pots.
I wonder how often it's changed up (if it's changed up)?

Looking back at the Arc de Triomphe, it feels like we walked much further than it looks like we walked.

The Tuileries Garden was lovely to stroll through, but mid-January it lacked much punch, I'm sure this is a much more active place about now...

Look how far those chairs are reclined!

A dusk shot of the pyramids at the Louve, just because we were walking by.
And finally a mystery tower we walked by on our way back to the hotel.

Weather Diary, April 23: Hi 74, Low 42/ Precip 0

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