06 September 2015

The Grand Palais and the Pont Alexandre III

The roof of the Grand Palais in Paris has recently been the object of extensive restoration work. The new glass used is stronger and more transparent because it's laminated (safety) glass rather than older glass that was reinforced with a metal grid. The Grand Palais is used as an exhibit hall and museum. It was built in the late 1800s and is located on the Seine near the Champs-Elysées.

From the top of the Tour Montparnasse, which is located three kilometers (2 miles) to the south, I took one photo of the Grand Palais and another of the Pont Alexandre III, the bridge across the Seine that was built at the same time. Here they are.


You can click or tap on the smaller images above to display them at a larger size (as with all the images here). Using Photoshop Elements, I was able to stitch the two photos together to make the one below. It was easy to do even though the two photos were not taken at the same zoom level.


I also took this zoomed-in photo of the gilded dome of the church at the nearby Hôtel des Invalides, a 17th century military hospital built during the reign of Louis XIV, France's "Sun King."


Under the gilded dome you'll find the massive marble tomb of another of France's great monarchs, the Emperor Napoléon.

10 comments:

  1. After I had it all ready, I realized it wasn't perfect. But as you know, perfection is not of this world.

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    Replies
    1. What are you talking about?

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    2. It's just that I noticed a seam in the stitching. No big deal.

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    3. No big deal, as you said. I noticed it just because you mentioned it. I my old Photoshop, I would have been able to fix it. In Elements, I have no idea how to tackle that.

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    4. I could fix it with Elements but it doesn't really matter, does it?

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  2. Looking at your pictures from the Tour Montparnasse, I am impressed with the quality of the zoom. Did you use a tripod?

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    Replies
    1. No, I didn't us a tripod. Fact is, the whole observation deck is now enclosed by big glass or plexiglass panels, but with 6 or 8 inch horizontal slots cut into them for photographers. You can steady your camera on the plexiglass. Very nice design, actually.

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  3. Your seam is almost invisible. We are benefitting from your new cameras.

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  4. Grand Palais is such an elegant building...these glass structures were in vogue late 19th century, like Paxton's Crystal Palace. Thankfully the Palais has survived. Love the decorations at the roof line like the bronze quadriga on the corner.

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