Ah, finally we arrive at the tower.

One thing that I really admired was the walk up to it, it really helped give a sense at the size of the structure.

It's certainly a lot grander than the one in Vegas! Haha

The were constructing something to be held in the middle, I think it's a new viewing center. Must come back to visit in the future then!

Being a national monument in a city that is familiar with terrorist attacks, security was not to be taken lightly.

Didn't expect this guy! He sits outside of the elevator that takes you up the tower, which is where we're headed next...

Standing above a city and looking outward to the developed horizon is a feeling that can be replicated in many cities, but so rarely is the city so filled with history or the skyline so open to air. There are more developed regions of the city, as modern and tall as any other international powerhouses. However, the heart of the city remains free and open, and that openness is what makes the biggest difference between London and Paris. Needless to say, I fully preferred the Parisian freedom to that of the darker, narrow London streets.

Interesting shape for a bike taxi. I wonder if the shape helps any or protects the occupants much. The "driver's" seat certainly looks more comfy than a typical bike.

Personally though, I'd rather take a car taxi. A brand new E class would be nice...

Though this little guy certainly looked fun! I spy with my little eye, something black and Italian...

Though speaking of Italians, this really puzzled me. So there's a business in Paris called "Drive Me" which offers 1 hour drives in either a Gallardo or California through the streets of Paris. Ok, I can understand the appeal of that. Both cars are also paddle-shifting so you don't even need to know how to handle a clutch! But what I didn't understand was how so many locals (or at least people who seemed to be local) were so excited to see them. Every day while walking around I had seen more exclusive and desirable cars driving around (such as that Murcielago just before or the F12 posted earlier) and this is an international city with many exotics cruising around. A California or Gallardo was as rare as a Land Cruiser in SF; you're not likely to see one every day but there are plenty around. So I couldn't understand why they were going nuts with these but rarely batted an eye at more valuable cars. Maybe it has something to do with messing with the customers or maybe I'm just jaded?

So that should be enough pics of the Eiffel Tower. Next post, the Arc de Triomphe.

Ok, one more pic