28/04/2026
I spent my last weekend in Europe in the city of Paris. I thought I would dive back into my city slicker subway riding in foreign country abilities. But it was a crowded petri dish, fostering the ingredients to my current bout with death. But I digress before I succumbed to illnesses on Sunday afternoon. I saw some things.
Claude Monet's House and Gardens in Giverny, France, is the beautifully restored home and gardens that inspired his famous Impressionist paintings, particularly the water lilies and Japanese bridge series. The estate features two main garden areas—the colorful Clos Normand flower garden and the Japanese-inspired Water Garden with its iconic bridge and water lilies—along with Monet's house, which showcases his private apartments and collection of Japanese prints. The gardens, which Monet cultivated from 1883 until his death in 1926, were restored and opened to the public in 1980 and are a major tourist attraction.
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) is a Roman Catholic church located at the highest point of Montmartre in Paris. Built between 1875 and 1914 in a Romano-Byzantine style, it is known for its white travertine stone, a massive mosaic of "Christ in Majesty," and 360-degree views from its dome.
Père Lachaise Cemetery is Paris's largest and most famous cemetery, known as an "open-air museum" for its stunning funerary art, beautiful English-style park, and the graves of countless famous figures like Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, and Édith Piaf. Established in 1804, it's a major tourist attraction and a peaceful place for reflection, featuring diverse tombs, sculptures, and a wide variety of trees. Visitors can explore on their own or take guided tours to find famous graves and admire the art.
Napoleon's Tomb is a major landmark in Paris, located within the Dôme des Invalides, a grand Baroque church that is part of the larger Les Invalides complex. The tomb features a massive sarcophagus made of red porphyry (actually Shoksha quartzite) resting on a green granite base, surrounded by a crypt with sculptures and mosaics, symbolizing his military power and legacy. It is a key part of the Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum) and is a significant site for French military history.
