TRAVELING BY SUBWAY

Traveling by Subway to the Eiffel Tower

We asked for instructions, and made it to the line going towards the Eiffel Tower. Some of the subway routes head directly for the tourist attractions and are already marked on the destinations.

Paris Subway Pocket Map, 1997

After exiting from the subway, we walked along the road near the Seine, heading towards the Eiffel Tower which we saw in the distance. There was a large building looming up before us, which we passed. We were almost a block away from the Eiffel Tower, when we saw a building that had been designed completely out of glass. It was the Japanese cultural building, with an unusual architectural interior, including a see-through elevator.

The Japanese Cultural Building, Paris, Photograph by Amy Fukunaga, Copyright 1997, All Rights Reserved

A Frenchman in his road cleaner vehicle, drove very carefully nearby, dusting the road with a water spray and brush attachment. Very near to the Eiffel Tower was a park area, and we soon spotted vendors selling their Eiffel Tower souvenirs.

And then the Eiffel Tower was right in front of us! I was not prepared to be amazed by such a touristy sight (who me?). The tower was immense, a solid-bronze color, and stunning to look at. In the distance, were green patches of lawn that covered a long strip of land near the Tower.

For visitors feeling fit, stairs could be accessed throughout the tower, enabling a person to walk to the upper levels. Under each corner of the Tower were shops or concessions to buy souvenirs: small metal Eiffel Towers, postcards - large and small, T-shirts, books, knicknacks, etc.

I bought about $20 worth of postcards along with a small fold-out book of the area. A T-shirt with the design of the Eiffel Tower was too costly to afford, being about $15 or more.

Carol sat on a bench fronting the tower, while I explored the walkway across the street. The United Nations building, located on the opposite side of the Seine River, had hundreds of tourists milling outside. Boats were docked by the side of the river, including those catering to tour groups. There was the undeniable atmosphere of French culture all around us.

Unfortunately, our stay at the Eiffel Tower was short, and we traveled next to The Louvre.