Saturday, October 6, 2018

Paris


http://joydarrenengland.com.au


Paris

After visiting the Moss family in Worthing and hearing more about their/our heritage, St Helena and Napoleon, Darren and I decided to go to Paris for a long weekend. I was really keen to see where Napoleon was buried at Les Invalides.

King's Cross St Pancras Station, London

King's Cross St Pancras Station, London

Kings Cross St Pancras Station, London

A very meaningful statue at King's Cross St Pancras Station

London to Paris on Eurostar
 Train travels up to 300 kmph
only 160 kmph through 50 kms tunnel in English Channel
The tunnel was opened in 1994 by Queen Elizabeth.
 The trip takes 2 hours 15 minutes.
Heading to Paris via the Euro Tunnel

London to Paris via Euro Tunnel

La Defense Underground Station, Paris

Darren looking for our unit in Suresnes, Paris
Our Paris unit

Market at Surenes

Surenes Market

Campse elysees, most famous avenue in the world
 almost 2 kms long from the Arc de Triomphe
 to Concorde Monuement
Eiffel Tower, constructed 1889 and 324 metres high

We were actually there

Eiffel Tower and River Seine

The Liberty Flame is an exact replica of the Statue of Liberty's flame in New York. It was given to the French people in 1987 to remember the French American Amity. The flame is above the tunnel entrance where Princess Diana died on 31 August 1997.  An unofficial memorial for Princess Diana - quite disappointing.


Flame above tunnel where Princess Diana died

Memorial to Princess Diana

Eiffel Tower from our afternoon tea location

Les Helles underground station. Paris had an excellent underground rail system and was always clean.

Underground train in Paris

Cafe Palais Royal near Le Louvre

River Seine, Paris

River Seine, Paris

Darren contemplating

Police outside Paris Court

Notre Dame in Paris
Napoleon (and Josephine) were crowned here on 2 December 1804


Chateau de Versailes


Chateau de Versailles is  20 km southwest of Paris
 Built by Louis XIII in 1623 but had many extensions
 It was a "showcase" of France

Chateau de Versailles was closed!

Darren and Joy at Chateau de Versailles
 Beautiful Gardens and fountain at the rear of the Palace

Sacre-Coeur


Sacre-Coeur  (Roman Catholic)
on about the only bit of high ground in Paris
Constructed 1875-1914

Interior Sacre-Coeur
 Beautiful paintings adorn the domes and lots of gold

Interior Sacre-Coeur

Interior Sacre-Coeur

Sacre-Coeur

Montmarte


We enjoyed a Nutella and banana crepe in Montmarte - yummy

Art work in Montmarte
 where lots of artists are actually painting and selling their art 

Art work in Montmarte

Artwork at Montmarte


Sacre-Coeur overlooks Montmarte

Gare du Nord
 Paris main railway station

A great 3 days in Paris

Our quick visit to Paris was well worth while. Our interest was mainly in following things and places connected with Napoleon as our heritage goes back to the Moss family, St Helena and Napoleon.  

I suggest you take a look at http://olneyfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au and go to the last 3 Posts "Doris Moss, Napoleon & St Helena", "Doris Moss, Convicts and Norfolk Island" and "Doris Moss and her extended family".

Also http://solomonmossfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au and go to the last 2 Posts "Napoleon's Picnic at The Briars 200 years later" and "Our Tribute to Napoleon - 200 years later".

You can contact the author of this Blog, Joy Olney, at joyolney@gmail.com







Friday, October 5, 2018

Les Invalides Military Museum, Paris


http://joydarrenengland.blogspot.com.au




After discovering that our family heritage on the Moss side goes back to Napoleon and his exile in St Helena (1815-1821), Darren and I were keen to see his tomb at Les Invalides Military Museum. Extensive work was carried out beneath the Dome, including an immense evacuation to create a space for the tomb.  Napoleon was transferred from St Helena on 15 December 1840, but not put in position until 2 April 1861 (he died in 1821).

Les Invalides, Paris

Areal view of Les Invalides, Paris

Entry to Les Invalides Military Museum
Courtyard of Les Invalides Military Museum

Joy at Les Invalides Military Museum

Cathedral Saint Louis at Les Invalides Military Museum

Dome over Napoleon's Tomb

Napoleon's tomb was placed there 2 April 1861
 after extensive work done beneath the dome

Les Invalides, Paris

Napoleon's 15 foot tall red quartzite sacophagus
sculptured from blocks of red quartzite
 and placed on a green voges granite base
 surrounded by a laurel crown
and inscriptions referring to the Empires great victories
  An amazing resting place for an Emperor
 that was exiled on St Helena 1815-1821

Joy fulfilled a dream to see Napoleon's resting place
 at Les Invalides Military Museum.

Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb (1769-1821)

Cross under the Dome in Les Invalides Military Museum


Off the main Napoleon centre piece were a number of tombs of worthy leaders

Napoleon II 1811-1832

Napoleon in Les Invalides Military Museum

Sculpture in Les Invalides Military Museum

Napoleon at Les Invalides Military Museum

After discovering our family heritage to Napoleon, I included a Post "Who do you think you are?"in my blog http://joyolneyfamily.blogspot.com.au

Family Tree Maker's official description is: Napoleon Bonaparte is brother-in-law of 2nd cousin 2x removed of wife of brother of wife of 1st cousin 2x removed of husband of aunt of wife of brother-in-law of 4th great aunt of husband of Winifred Joy Petfield

That means I am related to Napoleon.

Contact with the author, Joy Olney can be made by emailing - joyolney@gmail.com




London

http://joydarrenengland.blogspot.com.au London In September 2016 my son Darren was going to England on business ...