A view from the Eiffel Tower of Paris and the Seine River on a summer evening. (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times)
In this other Paris view from the Eiffel Tower, you can see the Arc de Triomphe in the upper left. (Richard Derk / For The Times)
Long lines at the base of the Eiffel Tower during the day make a night visit quite wise. (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times)
Notre Dame Cathedral: begun in 1160, plundered in 1790, still amazing in 2010. (Horacio Villalobos / EPA)
A busy day at Paris’ Musée d’Orsay. (Richard Derk / Los Angeles Times)
Napoleon’s tomb: beautiful and profound, housed in a glimmering church caked in gold. (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times)
Tantalizing absinthe. (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times)
The sun sets on another enchanting day in Paris. (Richard Derk / For The Times)
