Invalides is a complex which includes an army museum, the Cathedral of St Louis and the Domes des Invalides, containing tombs of significant French figures. It has also maintained its longstanding function as a retirement home for former soldiers. Its gold dome is visible from many parts of the city.
It is most notably, the final resting place for Napoleon.
Last week I had the chance to attend Aura – a light show at the Domes des Invalides. It was very well done.
An early start to the day and the shining brightly on the obligatory Eiffel Tower shot. Hiding behind me was a short but intense burst of rain, coming up behind Trocadero Fortunately once it cleared it was blue skies again and a great chance to wander the left bank without any particular destination in mind…
One of the most recognized sights in Paris and opera houses in the world, the Opera Garnier celebrates 150 years in 2025. This is also the theatre that was the inspiration for Gaston LeRoux’s Phantom of the Opera. I took a guided tour which was excellent. This was an opera house not built for acoustics…
Up early on a beautiful fall day, so I decided to head across town and up the hill to where there is not only a nice church, it has one of the best viewpoints of Turin as a city. The galleria for a little high end shopping… or catch a film at the Lux Just…
While Lille isn’t the biggest of cities, it sits within the larger European Metropolis of Lille with a regional population between 1.5-2 million. While I explored most of the historical centre there is lots more to come back one day and explore across the region. And the usual steep and traditional winding French staircase to…
A quick train ride from Bari (and a seven minute train ride between each other) are the seaside towns of Monopoli (no relation to the game) and Polignano ad Mare. Monopoli has that port / fishing village feel. Great buildings and narrow streets to wander. Less expected was Monopoli’s cathedral. It was a masterpiece of…
