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Lyon - France

Lyon – France

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Hi Folks!

The landmark of Lyon, Metallic tower of Fourvière, is a knockoff of the Eiffel Tower and not the other way around. Metallic tower of Fourvière was built a couple years after the Eiffel Tower was finished. It’s actually an exact copy of the third tier of the Eiffel Tower. So sad. I truly thought that the original design was in Lyon.

Another landmark of Lyon, Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière (Our Lady of Fourvière), overlooks the city next to the miniature version of the Eiffel Tower. The basilica looks quite impressive, but I have to say that the Lyonnais may have some creativity issues. Our Lady of Paris, also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral, is an iconic landmark of Paris. According to Disney’s documentary The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasimodo lives in the Notre-Dame in Paris, which clearly indicates that the Notre-Dame in Paris is superior to the one in Lyon.

In the photo, the building closest to river is Lyon Cathedral. I believe that none of the cathedrals in Paris have been named as Lyon. Finally something original!

– Gart

 

Eiffel Tower, Paris - France

The Eiffel Tower – Paris

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Hi Folks!

It’s hard to beat a picnic underneath the Eiffel Tower (or almost anywhere in Paris to tell the truth). The tower is an iconic tourist spot and quite astonishing. Washington Monument held the title of tallest structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower was erected and thereafter the Eiffel Tower held the title proudly with its peak in 324 meters from 1889 to 1930.

The Americans just could not stand the situation and so the Chrysler Building was built in New York. The height of the Chrysler Building was only 320 meters but a 38 meters long spire with a steel needle was added to the top to claim the title back to USA. Some of you may question whether the Americans could actually be that petty, but look it up yourself. Walter P Chrysler admitted in his autobiography that the needle was added only to increase the height of the Chrysler Building just enough to claim the title of the worlds’ tallest man-made structure.

But who cares which structure is the tallest. It’s the looks that matter in the end. I have not seen any replicas of the Chrysler Building. But the Eiffel Tower has inspired the creation of probably over 20 replicas, many of them also in USA. One of the most known replica is probably in Las Vegas. I’ve heard that the Eiffel Tower is actually a replica too and that the design was copied from the tower located in Lyon. I will have to get to the bottom of the matter and head directly to Lyon. Could it possible that the landmark of Paris is nothing but a knockoff of the original in Lyon.

– Gart

Bonifacio - Corsica, France

Bonifacio – Corsica, France

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Hi Folks!

France is the most visited country in the world ranked by the number of international tourist arrivals. That’s an impressive achievement considering that the Corsican nationalist movement has campaigned for the limiting of tourist infrastructure since the 1960’s. And by campaigning I mean harsh measures: bombings, assaults and robberies. Luckily Corsica is only one of the 27 régions of France, so there are plenty of opportunities even for the most sensitive tourist to enjoy the well distinguished French hospitality. I guess there is only one thing that the Corsican’s hate more than tourists and that is the French. Confusing enough, huh? I will try not to get into politics too much, but there’s one thing that should be mentioned: Corsica is the gem of the Mediterranean Sea and Corsicans would be nuts if they were not a little bit protective of it.

In addition to National Liberation Front of Corsica, Corsica Libera and other militant and/or peaceful groups that advocate the independence and isolation of Corsica, the costal line of the island for its part ensures that intruders will have difficulties to sneak in. Bonifacio, on the south coast of Corsica, is protected by 70 meters tall limestone cliffs that rise directly from the sea. The limestone has been undercut by the rough waters below so that the buildings are literally overhanging the cliffs. The restaurants in Bonifacio serve French cuisine to die for and that may also be the result if you book a table with a view.

-Gart