Emalisa Explores: Basilica of the Sacre Coeur, Jardin du Luxembourg, The Pantheon and the Love Bridge

Today was a day filled with walking and exploring of different locations in Paris. We first began by visiting the Sacre-Coeur. The Sacre-Coeur is such a grand and beautiful building, but I was very surprised not only to see the street vendors outside of the Basilique, but also inside. Inside of the church, there were vendors selling candles, there was a souvenir shop, and various vending machines selling merchandise of the church. I was surprised in seeing this as the Basilique is also still used as a regular church. While we were walking around and admiring the structure, and other people purchasing their gifts, some people were seated and praying in the middle of the church. I do not agree with this at all: I think that the Basilique should either be a church, or a tourist attraction. I understand that they were selling merchandise for the church, but I still don't agree with it - either use it as a church or a tourist attraction.

On our way to the Sacre-Coeur.

The beautiful Sacre-Coeur!

Instead of climbing the stairs we rode an elevator-type car that took us to the top with no effort required, haha.

The Sacre-Coeur is just so beautiful and HUGE!

Because the Sacre-Coeur is on a hill, there is an amazing view of Paris from the top.

We found other Americans who were suggesting how we should pose to take the pictures, haha.

Despite the beauty of this area, there were so many pick-pockets. One of the girls in the group got their whole wallets stolen by a little boy. While there, my hand was over my hand-bag the WHOLE time.

The second place we visited was the Jardin du Luxembourg. It is the second largest public park in Paris and it hosts the French Senate in a huge building at the end of the garden. The garden is beautiful decorated with various flowers of all different colors and statues. We spent about an hour in the park, 45 minutes of which we sitting on the grass and just enjoying the park and it's lovely environment. I don't think I've ever been to such a beautiful and large park.

Next stop, Jardin du Luxembourg!

It is the second largest public park in Paris.

I should have worn a pink shirt to match the flowers more.

The Luxembourg Palace, which houses the French Senate.

No one is allowed on the grass that faces the Luxembourg Palace, but the grass that is at the far end. I like this because it keeps it so beautiful.

This is an interesting statue in front of the Luxembourg Palace that I tried to replicate with a friend. The pictures are too embarrassing to put up here, haha.

The third place that we visited was the Pantheon. "The Panthéon is a building in the Latin Quarter in Paris. It was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve and to house the reliquary châsse containing her relics but, after many changes, now functions as a secular mausoleum containing the remains of distinguished French citizens." In the basement of the structure, there are tombs of famous French citizens such as Voltaire and Rousseau. It was very interesting, but a little bit weird to think about the number of bodies just laying beside us.

The Pantheon.

The architecture and design, much like many of the other building, is breathtaking. I still don't understand how they managed to get all the way to the top to work on the ceiling.

Voltaire's tomb, the first one you cross by when entering the basement floor.

Either Roussea's tomb, or Jacques-Germain Soufflot. A little creepy for me...

There were parts of the underground that just looked like caves. I thought that was interesting.

Finally, our professor took us to the Notre Dame, but it was late and the line was too long, so a few friends and I went walking along the Seine. While walking, we found one of the bridges that have been covered in locks that people place with their own names and the names of their significant others to symbolize their love will be forever. It was really amazing being able to see one of those bridges in real life after seeing it in so many movies, TV shows and pictures.