Pont Neuf and the Palais du Louvre exteriors

Today we really got into the "nitty gritty" of Paris. Metro to Chatelet where we popped up out of the ground into the worst traffic I've even seen. If a driver does something wrong he doesn't just get tooted here. They will keep right on tooting until such time as he corrects the problem. If it takes 5 minutes he can expect to be blasted by others for the full 5 minutes worth.

The Pont Neuf is a well known bridge across the Seine, made famous as the subject of many impressionist paintings. We crossed the Seine here and walked along the banks to the Pont des Arts, also famous for all the padlocks fastened into the protective mesh of the railings. They are put there by young lovers as a symbol of permanent and unshakable love for each other. In Paris that is fairly wishful thinking. At one end of the bridge in the Institute de France and at the other is the Louvre. No amount of words can describe this astonishing converted palace. Check out the photos and you'll see what I mean.

Click here for pictures of the Pont Neuf and exterior of the Louvre.