In the center of Place de I'Étoile in Paris, France, is Place Charles de Gaulle, the largest suicide circle in Europe. Commonly called a roundabout, it's the third largest in the world intersecting 12 metropolitan avenues. In the middle of it is one of the most iconic monuments in the world and third most toured in Paris behind only Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral—Arc de Triomphe.
If you've been there, you know how long I stood at Av Hoche waiting for that shot to open up. And then again directly opposite Av Hoche at Av Victor Hugo.
It's usually going and going and going and going and.
We walked the whole lap. A short walking distance in either direction of the Arc on any of the 12 avenues and you're in the heart of Paris fashion: Larry Vewton, Versotchkey, Shantelle, Kristin Door, all the famous designers.
It's the tallest of its kind at 164 feet and nearly as wide, 148—half the size of a football field. The Statue of Liberty stands at 151 feet. Construction began in 1806 and wouldn't be completed for another 30 years.
Where Avenue de la Grande-Armée meets Place Charles de Gaulle, the heavily trafficked roundabout, there's a tunnel that goes under it and comes back up at the base of the Arc.
That flag is just as big as any other flag I've been around and can be seen flowing effortlessly from all 12 avenues. It's suspended directly over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
But, we didn't make it there that day—nope. Didn't make it the following day, either, took two days to get back over there. When we left the apartment that day, we're going to the Arc, we said.
Croissant / coffee, check / check. Hop on the purple line at Cháteau d'Eau, get off at Les Halles and take the red line all the way to Charles de Gaulle. It's a straight shot, runs every 4-7 minutes.
The Cháteau d'Eau entrance was only two blocks from the front door. Transportation in Paris is smoother than a First Republic Bank bailout. Most everywhere we stayed throughout both Europe and England, we didn't need a car, I miss that. The US couldn't be more opposite—thousands of years younger and massive in size, it's not uncommon to need a vehicle to check the mail here.
Alright, so, we hopped on the purple as planned, purchased a pair of all-day tickets and went down a couple flights of escalators to the platform. So far so good. Tickets are cheap. I forget how cheap now but the two of us could travel from one end of Paris to the other as many times as we wanted for like 15 euro a day.
Everyone has somewhere to be.
They always sound the same—subways. Shuffling feet in front and behind you, intercom overhead; a woman's voice in French, then English, then a language I don't know.
Buskers—can always count on someone playing a guitar or violin or buckets or something. Echoing squeaky brakes, gears grinding and turning, metal doors opening and closing so when we exited the purple to catch the red and didn't hear any of that and instead all we heard was :boom: :b-boom: :boom: :boom: :b-boom: and synthesizers and whistles and partying we skipped Les Halles and followed the sound.
Plan is a funny word.
If you go to Paris, ride the subway. You never know when you might emerge right in the middle of a rave. Check out this clip, it's only 40 seconds.
There's a joint in my hand.
Then Pura passed me one, I had two. Or she gave me two. I gave one to someone else. I had one again, then two again. One of us got ahold of shrooms, most likely her. We're still not sure who or where those things came from but we ended up with micro doses and everything got louder.
Crisper, know what I mean like high-hat's and snare's were one. And BRIGHT!! Everything. Trees, balcony handrails and bicycle spokes. The reflective lane dividers were blinding and changed colors to the beat and we didn't make it to Arc de Triomphe that day.
I am surprised you’re so patient in waiting for the right moment to take that awesome photo. 😅
That is really iconic! I wonder what those writings on the wall are.
That rave is insane! In the future I hope to visit there and hop on the subway, let’s see where it would take me. Love surprises! 😅
You'll be glad you did.
Hello, wittyzell. I saw you earlier today. Nice to be met. Thank you for reblogging this.
Patience. It was a challenge. My wife had me taking selfies and eating macaroons and all kinda stuff I wouldn't normally do.
But I got the shot. <3
A buncha stuff in French. = }
What a day that was, thanks for taking me along.
Good morning, I enjoy all your posts about your travels and antics, puff, puff, chew swallow, bright lights.
Yeseerrrr, what a day in the life of D and A.
You don't even have to try do you? Just talk, doesn't matter what you say, it's gonna be sweet. Thank you.
Did you take the quad off-roading down to the mailbox? Mmmmhm.
I'm glad I can still got your attention farm-mom.
Yes I was on the quad today and I did get the mail, but we went out riding before mail delivery. Collecting more sap, we got 14 gallons today.
Hope to get 15 or more tomorrow so we can cook.
It was such a beautiful blue sky and sunshine day.
Are you telling me D and A hasn't been to your mailbox?
SHHH, that was a secret, @thebigsweeds swore me to secrecy about thank yous and such, until he could do a post about it. Man it was tough for me not to say something especially when you talked about the quad and the mailbox. I knew what you were thinking. Where the hell did that sumptuous giant brownie go?
Well, it arrived on Monday at 12 noonish, I was on my way home from Jersey, I was in no hurry, it was a gorgeous day to drive over the mountain and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go. You know that tune right? Hold it, you may be too young for that one.
Anywho, thanks so much for the thoughtful and oh sooo YUMMY gift.
Enjoy each day, love to Atlas, hope she heals quickly.
By the way, we are debating what sex your dog is?
We have a bet on it, so make your response quick?
Female. They're a lot easier than males. So we got her first. In about another year from now when we're ready for the male, she'll be able to show him how to be a dog for me.
I saw Sweeds post. Pura read it. She smiled and laughed, loved it. We drove all the way Huntsville Alabama on spontaneity this a.m. I've been behind a windshield all day, saving his for last.
Heckuva way to keep Atlas off her feet though.
Oh great idea, I love road trips, our car top is retractable, like all the way driving with blue skies and sunshine is all I need. Spring is here, I saw a Robin yesterday
SWEET
I won the bet, mom said female with NO hesitation.
Oh how I love when he owes me 😃😆😂
That sure is one Triomph-e d'Arc. Amo Houghton built a small one here, near the Corning, Inc. headquarters. I didn't realize how hilarious it was until I saw this post, some 30 years later.
I was surprised that I had done heard 'bout all these designers. So surprised, it led me to contemplate some new internet shorthand... SOL, for 'sprayed out laughter'.
I know the rednecks already have a claim on SOL, but I think that I can slip this past them while they're preoccupied with their current leadership issues.
Leadership issues. <- You're really getting the hang of this funny stuff.
What's up man? Thanks for checking this out. Paris fashion is pretty extravagant, everywhere you look is a fashion show, seriously. Even construction dudes wear Protta vests and Goochy hard hats.
Good to know someone appreciates the humor, or at least gets it.
Paris fashion is too much for me. I'll stick to my American fashionizers, like Kelvin Kline and Tommy Hill-finger, who's a local boy no less.
Alright, that went over my head. What do you mean no less?
Just extra words on the end of a sentence. Tommy Hilfiger grew up in the small city of Elmira, about two towns over from me. Some of the people I work and play music with went to school with him, so I've met him a handful of times at local band gigs.
Oh nice. That's cool. The times I've run into stars like that, it's particularly special when they're cool. Rob Zombie or Shirley Manson, for example. Super cool people.
How was Hilfiger? Pretty cool?
I've only met him in 'party' settings, and if anything, he was a little too cool, if ya get my meaning.
How was meeting Shirley Manson? She's absolutely one of my favorite living singers... I'm a little star-struck even hearing that someone I kinda know met her!
I visited Paris and the arc de triomphe a few years ago. Truly an incredible and fascinating monument. Really very beautiful shots
@tipu curate
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I'm glad you liked them, thank you. Having only seen it on TV, I never appreciated the enormity of it. Impressive build.
How long did you stay in Paris? We love it there.
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I'm glad I can still keep you entertained eii.
They say it’s the largest “either” magnet in the world
I couldn't find anything on that. I wouldn't doubt it though. It's huge, and shaped like a horse shoe.
You have to jump down the “flat earth” rabbit hole, it’s quite interesting if you have a few hours to burn.
I can only think of about 400 million things I'd rather do than dive in a flat earth. =P
Whoopy, I've finally been to Paris AND gone to a rave, thank you for taking me along @dandays!
You must have patience to finally get that shot emptied of people!
Oh dear, excuse me but I do like using those dang exclamation marks, often go back and edit my blogs trying to do away with them! Really am not trying to shout!
The Arc de Triomphe certainly looks impressive, stunning photos young man!
Have yourselves a great day, you and your Pura xxx
PS I'm still trying to get to start that cookbook of mine, but I was chuffed to see some South African favourites in Pura's book! (Exclamation mark again!)
@edprivat's influence?
Anywhoo, have a great Tuesday @dandays💖
When I see you stop by, I need to remind myself to save it for the a.m like this. Lizelle comments first thing morning is the way.
Good morning. I mean, good morning! = } Thanks for always being so nice. I'm glad you liked this one. We enjoyed Paris so much. Out of everywhere we've been, that's only the second time Pura said she wants to live there. We both really loved it and miss.
Yes, Ed Privat inspired a couple of thise—bunny chow and malva cake. OMG!! That malva cake is better than mushrooms in Paris. <3
Looking forward to your cookbook. Its an honor to have something we created in your kitchen.
Thank you.
Awesome shots of this famous landmark, I never knew it was the highest rates for suicides there
Thanks for joining the Wednesday, its always fun for me to visit the walks from all around the world, getting a feel for communities where people live and what they see on their daily walks
What's up Jay. Misunderstanding. I call those roundabouts suicide circles, just something I say. I don't know about their suicide rate.
Thanks for having me.
OHh yeah I get you they can be crazy to drive around for sure
The love for Paris oozes out of this post like .
It's just so fucking elegant!...
You'll be back. One day. Until then, have a great weekend and hope that gorgeous pup is getting better :-)
Good morning Nathen. It's morning here. Pura's been eyeing various real estate markets lately and wouldn't stop talking about Guntersville, Alabama so we made the 6 hour drive yesterday. Helluva way to keep the puppy off her foot too.
Good noose. She nailed the next market, it's expanding here exponentially, got out of the house for a couple days anyway, that's always nice, and Atlas is physically incapable of being on her feet. Win-win-win-win-win.
She's already walking so much better! I'm happy. Can't see her limp anymore. It's been a rough couple weeks but I'm confident she and I both will forget about it in 5 days and counting.
Tic.... toc....
Thank you Nathen. "Peace!"
You got greenery, trails, lakes, blue skies and green grass. Perfect. Looks a lot like a happy home to me :-)
Genuinely made up for you and glad that your younger lady is going to be fine with no ill effects. Puppies will be puppies.
Take care there Daddy, peace and love to you guys too, it's going to be a great weekend :-)
haha, party!! France is really a place that I should go at least once in my life. In addition, I am french so I should easily manage there (then again, we speak different french, it is a little bit like Bristish versus American...they think we speak jibberish :-D)
Put it on your list. Out of all the places we've been, Paris was only the second time Pura said she'd live there.
All we ever heard about the French is how they're terrible and rude and don't like anyone. Couldn't have been further from the truth. We felt welcome and comfortable everywhere we went.
France is great. 🇫🇷
What’s it feel like to be under a giant magnet with a three stripe ginormous flash of fabric threatening to whip down on you?
I question your crossing ability. It doesn’t look that busy. I think you’re exaggerating. Oh right, the spine, your spine lacking the acrobatic adeptness of days of your yore.
You couldn’t have written that any more eloquently.
Don’t believe everything you read, watch, or are told.
Sounds ritualistic.
You forgot to mention they also look the same.
Kick butt photos, seriously good photography. Do you remember how you got home after that party?
Not much different than all the others. Sticky, kinda cool for name tags.
That thing was like 8 lanes wide. Nobody crosses it on foot. Gotta go all the way around and use the crosswalks.
I had no idea you're into fashion. You'd love it then, they're all there; Saint Lawrence, Goochy. = }
LoL (bold letters even) Funny. It's not every day someone goes "don't believe anything you hear" and then talks to me.
Never been to one that I knew was one, so I wouldn't know. What name tags? I didn't see you mention that in your post.
I've had a lot of practice scaling chain fence to run across 8 lane highways, where the speed looks faster than that roundabout. Never got hit. Crosswalks are for those that live in fear and those into vertebrae alignment protection.
I'd rather have one of these, if you're going designer, go to vertebrae or go prone.
Laugh. Out. Loud.
wink
Helluva plan view of two Budweiser cans.
Eyes that grew out of meat that I wouldn't eat. Just ask @meesterboom about that discussion for confirmation.
Yep, I've been to that Arc de Triomphe... and also visited its little brother in Chisinau, Moldova! 😅
Nice party... but I have no idea who you are, from all those people. 🤷
That makes two of us!
Hey what's up Trincowski? According to the internet, Malaysia has the largest, then India, then Arc de Triomphe. It's a massive structure. I'm glad we got to see it.
How long ago were you in Moldova, did you stay a long time? We haven't made it there yet. I read a couple weeks ago their government collapsed.
When I think about Paris I think about Arc de Triomphe. Though I have never been there, my association with this city is this place... well, since now subway and rave party and all that comes after it can be a new link 😁
You're right there and plane rides are so affordable in EU. Go have fun for me. Out of all the places we've been, only twice Pura said she wants to live there. Paris is one.
When you go, trust me, I've tried beignet's in more places than I can remember. When you go, get a Nutella filled beignet from the vendor by the subway stop that drops you off right there where you're looking down on Eiffel Tower. Know where I'm taking about? Where the spray paint is and there's always street performers.
THE B.E.S.T
Now yes :)
If my paths lead me to Paris I will have this advice and the photo with me.
Thanks, @dandays :)
Ooft, great shot. I have been there, Iknow how long you must have waited for that shot!
And my wife's got that busted pancreas that needs to eat all the time so we'd have to break regularly for something off the charts like..
Then back to the circle. Boulangerie, circle. Pastry, circle. Dessert, circle. Took forever but damn it was good!
I do love a coffee and pastry/cake stop in between all the doings. Paris was great for that!!
How many times you been Boom, several? Forever we'd heard beware the French this, French that, bad bad bad. We had our guards up, prepared for the worst.
Couldn't have been further from the truth. You agree? We loved it there man.
I have only been once and apart from a giant homeless village on the street near where we were staying we bloomin loved it. It was icy and cold but everything was awesome. I have very happy memories of it!
Lol, my car version of your pic
Is that one of the places currently on fire..?
Asking for a friend.
as violence surges, Macrons approval drops to 18%
Yeah, that place. We had our guards up for that one cuz everyone had such strong opinions about it before we went.
I'm happy to report they're fulla shit. Paris is a top 3 for sure.
Is... Or
Was..?
Psssttt... Reality √
I hope the people of France win their country back from the tyrannical gov of Macaroni Macron and make it the place you believe it to be again.
But that could never happen here right..?
4... 3... 2...
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