Inspiration for the Paris Trip

As authors, we draw from our experiences. If we lack the experience, we do one of two things. 1. research or 2. get the experience.

Since, I don’t have the time or money to fly to Paris. I turn to the Internet. My first Google search was to find out the best tourist spots. Most of them were art and museums. Go figure, it is Paris after all.

So, when you remove those, you are left with the landmarks, the parks and cathedrals. Since Stephanie and Frederick would fly into the airport and tour the city, it makes sense to start at the closest place and work toward the furthermost one or closest to the hotel. We don’t want the driver back tracking and spending even more time in the car.

So the first stop:

The Sacré-Cœur

I’m sure the photos don’t do this place any justice. It’s one of those things you have to see for yourself. But for those of you who are like me and can’t go to Paris, here are few photos that inspired me.

Next stop:

Tuileries Garden

This garden is very old and very beautiful. You will also get quite the workout walking from end to end. No lie, research revealed it takes one hour and 30 minutes.

to begin: the book only covers the statues on the south east side of the pond (the circle of orange dots). In fact, the whole garden is sprinkled with statues. Here is the map.

In order of the book: 1. La Misère or Misery

2. Périclès distribuant les couronnes aux artistes or Pericles Giving Crowns to Artists

3. Le Bon Samaritain or The Good Samaritan

4. Alexandre Combattant or Alexander Fighting

5. Cincinnatus

6. Médée

The next site:

Notre-Dame de Paris

While this was made famous in the movie “Hunchback of Notre Dame”, it was just the cathedral. There is also a university, and hotel. I also found an article about the bells. They don’t last forever and the first ones were melted down and used. Of course, none of this research made it into the book. The Emmanuel Bell is the only one that is not replaced. Its repaired and polished.

The last stop:

The historic part of town, Le Marais

It is the oldest part of town left. It has the original cobble stone and buildings. Not much of this is used. In the book, they didn’t do much shopping because Stephanie had a … oops no spoilers.