Paul isn't impressed with Mona

Here is one of the courtyards that is now enclosed with a glass ceiling. One of the entranceways leads to a staircase and into the apartments of Napoleon. It is here that he would sit and think about his conquests, amid fewer sculptures and statues than I suspect now adorn this space.

This was one of two times we were hassled by security about setting up the tripod for a panoramic shot. Apparently it’s okay, you just need permission. Considering France’s legendary bureaucracy, we opted to act confused and attempt to speak French while I finished taking the necessary photographs for the full image. Assistance with this matter was provided by my brother Paul, who actually speaks French. Once the “confusion” was all sorted out, I had this shot taken and was dismantling the equipment.

One of the many towers of the Louvre once held the library of Charles V, but a new collection was gathered by Francois the 1st after they were dispersed. The 12 paintings from Italy grew to 300,000 today. It wasn’t until the 20th Century that the collection was open to the public. One of the original 12 paintings was “Joconde” (aka Mona Lisa). Because visitors don’t heed the “no flash photography” rule, Mona is sealed behind a smoke brown glass cabinet.

The Paris QTVR Portfolio:

• La Tour Eiffel, Paris
• Napoleon’s Apartments, the Louvre, Paris
• The Catacombs, Paris
• Gare Du Nord, Paris, France
• Saint Eustache, Paris
• Notre Dame Cathedral by Night
• Musee De La Poupee, Paris, France
• Paris at Night