After an epic visit to Stonehenge the night of summer solstice and an excursion to Edinburgh, Seacliff Beach and North Berwick in Scotland (see "Solstice at Stonehenge Midsummer Night, England & Edinburgh and Seacliff Beach at North Berwick, Scotland"), we ride the London tube system from Moor Park in the suburb of Northwood to London King's Cross station and walk across to London St Pancras International Railway station. The Eurostar fast train from St Pancras takes us across the English Channel through the Eurotunnel to Gare du Nord train station in Paris.

Eurostar fast train from London to Paris

Eurostar #3213 at Paris Gare du Nord train station platform #6

Eurostar Stations in London and Paris

Eurostar operates high-speed train services connecting London with Paris, and each city has a designated Eurostar terminal:

London: In London, Eurostar departs from St Pancras International station. This iconic railway station is located in the King's Cross area and is easily accessible from various parts of the city. St Pancras International is not only a transportation hub but also an architectural gem, featuring the stunning Barlow Train Shed.

Paris: In Paris, Eurostar arrives and departs from Gare du Nord. Gare du Nord is one of the six major train stations in Paris and is situated in the 10th arrondissement, making it a vital transportation hub for both domestic and international train services. It is known for its historic and architectural significance.

International Terminal, Gare du Nord

These Eurostar terminals offer convenient and efficient connections between London and Paris, making it a popular mode of travel for individuals looking to move between these two major European capitals quickly and comfortably.

Eurostar #3213 at London St Pancras International

History of the Eurostar

The Eurostar is a high-speed passenger train service linking London with Paris and Brussels through the Channel Tunnel. The service began operating on November 14, 1994, following the opening of the tunnel earlier that year.

The Eurostar was developed by a consortium of British, French, and Belgian railways. The trains were built by a consortium of European companies, and the service is operated by Eurostar International, a joint venture between the three railways.

In winter, "Eurostar Snow" trains additionally service ski destinations including Chambéry, Albertville and Moûtiers.

The Eurostar has been a major success since its launch. It has made travel between London, Paris, and Brussels much faster and easier. The journey by Eurostar takes under three hours from London to Paris, and around two hours from London to Brussels.

Benefits of the Eurostar

The Eurostar offers a number of benefits over other forms of travel between London, Paris, and Brussels. It is much faster than the ferry, and it is more convenient than flying, as there are no security checks or baggage restrictions.

The Eurostar is also a very environmentally friendly way to travel. The trains are powered by electricity, and they produce very few emissions.

Technology of the Eurostar

The Eurostar trains are specially designed for high-speed travel. They are powered by electric multiple unit (EMU) technology, which means that each carriage has its own engine. This gives the trains a high power-to-weight ratio, which allows them to reach speeds of up to 300 km/h (185 mph).

Phone GPS measures Eurostar speed at a sustained 185 mph

The Eurostar trains are also equipped with a number of safety features, including a sophisticated braking system and a collision avoidance system.

The Eurostar is a very useful service for people who travel between London, Paris, and Brussels on a regular basis. It is also a popular choice for tourists and business travelers.

The Eurostar has helped to boost trade and tourism between the UK, France, and Belgium. It has also made it easier for people to live and work in different countries.

The Eurostar is a major success story. It has revolutionized the way people travel between the UK, France, and Belgium. It is a fast, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to travel. The Eurostar is a valuable asset to the economies of the three countries it serves.

The Eurotunnel (Channel Tunnel)

TGV TMST n°3011/2 à la sortie du Tunnel sous la Manche à Coquelles, côté Français By Billy69150, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

History of the Channel Tunnel

The idea of a tunnel under the English Channel has been around for centuries. The first recorded proposal was in 1802, by a French engineer named Albert Mathieu-Favier. However, it wasn't until the late 19th century that the technology was available to make such a project feasible.

In 1875, two British engineers, William Low and James Brunlees, began work on a pilot tunnel. They reached a depth of 64 meters before running out of money. In 1881, a French company took over the project, but it was abandoned in 1883 due to safety concerns.

In 1986, the British and French governments signed a treaty to build the Channel Tunnel. Construction began in 1988 and was completed in 1994. The tunnel, known in French as "Tunnel sous la Manche", was officially opened on May 6, 1994, by Queen Elizabeth II and French President François Mitterrand. It is often referred to as the Chunnel in short.

Usefulness of the Channel Tunnel

The Channel Tunnel has been a major success, both economically and socially. It has made it much easier and faster to travel between the UK and France. The journey by train takes under three hours, compared to 4 hours by ferry.

The tunnel has also boosted trade between the UK and France. Last year, over 70 million tons of freight were transported through the tunnel. This has helped to reduce congestion on the roads and in the air.

The Channel Tunnel has also had a positive impact on tourism. It has made it easier for people from the UK and France to visit each other's countries. Over 20 million passengers traveled through the tunnel last year.

Technology of the Channel Tunnel

The Channel Tunnel is a major engineering marvel. It is the longest underwater tunnel in the world, at 50.5 kilometers (31.4 miles) long. The tunnel runs under the English Channel, between Folkestone, England, and Coquelles, France.

The tunnel consists of three parallel tunnels: two running tunnels for trains and a smaller central service tunnel. The running tunnels are 7.6 meters (25 feet) in diameter and are spaced 30 meters (100 feet) apart. The service tunnel is 4.8 meters (15.7 feet) in diameter and is located between the two running tunnels.

The tunnels were bored using tunnel boring machines (TBMs). TBMs are large machines that grind their way through the rock. The TBMs used to build the Channel Tunnel were some of the largest and most powerful ever built.

The tunnel is lined with concrete segments to prevent the rock from collapsing. The segments were prefabricated and then transported to the tunnel site and installed by the TBMs.

The Channel Tunnel is a complex system that requires a lot of technology to operate. The trains that use the tunnel are specially designed to run at high speeds in a confined space. The tunnel is also equipped with a sophisticated ventilation system to keep the air fresh and to prevent fires.

The Channel Tunnel is a major achievement of modern engineering. It has revolutionized the way people travel and trade between the UK and France. It is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the people who built it.

Palace of Versailles

Tourists head from the King's State Apartment to the War Room and the Hall of Mirrors

We disembark the Eurostar at Gare du Nord in Paris and walk to our B&B next to it. After checking into our B&B, we walk to Gare de l'Est station which is right across Gare du Nord and take a Paris Metro train to Gare Montparnasse.

Gare de l'Est

Gare Montparnasse

The departure point in Paris for Versailles is Gare Montparnasse (map), a major railway station in the heart of Paris known for its striking architecture and bustling atmosphere. The station is named after Mount Parnasse in central Greece which is the mythical home of the nine muses.

We change in Montparnasse into one of the many regional commuter trains headed to Versailles-Chantiers.

Tourists at the Palace of Versailles

Our detailed photo-story that can also serve as a guide to exploring the Gardens and Palace of Versailles is at "The Palace of Versailles: A Triumph of Elegance and Grandeur".

We return to Paris that night. We start the next morning by riding the Paris Metro system to the Louvre.

History of the Louvre

The Louvre Museum is one of the world's largest and most famous museums, located in Paris, France. It is housed in the Louvre Palace, which was originally built as a fortress in the 12th century. Over the centuries, the palace was expanded and converted into a royal residence. In 1793, during the French Revolution, the Louvre was opened to the public as a museum.

The louvre of the Louvre Museum

The Louvre's collection includes over 380,000 works of art, from ancient times to the present day. It is home to some of the world's most iconic paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Important Displays in the Louvre

Some of the most important displays at the Louvre Museum include:

The Mona Lisa: This iconic painting by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous artworks in the world. It is renowned for its enigmatic smile and its mysterious subject matter.

Mona Lisa smiles for tourists' cameras

The Venus de Milo: This ancient Greek sculpture is one of the most famous sculptures in the world. It depicts the goddess Aphrodite and is known for its beauty and symmetry.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace: This ancient Greek sculpture depicts the goddess Nike and is known for its dynamism and grace.

The Egyptian Antiquities Collection: The Louvre's Egyptian Antiquities Collection is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. It includes a wide range of artifacts, from sarcophagi and mummies to jewelry and everyday objects.

The Mesopotamian Antiquities Collection: The Louvre's Mesopotamian Antiquities Collection is one of the most important in the world. It includes a wide range of artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia, including the Code of Hammurabi, the Ishtar Gate, and the Winged Bulls of Khorsabad.

The Greek and Roman Antiquities Collection: The Louvre's Greek and Roman Antiquities Collection is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. It includes a wide range of artifacts from ancient Greece and Rome, including sculptures, pottery, and mosaics.

The Decorative Arts Collection: The Louvres' Decorative Arts Collection is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. It includes a wide range of decorative objects, from furniture and tapestries to jewelry and silverware.

A quick break in the Louvre

The Eiffel Tower

We get back on the Paris Metro system and ride to Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel station on RER C. A lovely walk along Promenade d'Australie with river Seine flowing next to us gets us to the tower.

Promenade d'Australie (composite)

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a truly unique and iconic landmark, and its cultural value is immeasurable. It is a symbol of French national pride, technological achievement, and resilience. It is a symbol of peace and hope.

History of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, and its history is just as fascinating as its design. The tower was built in 1889 for the World's Fair to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel, a French civil engineer who was known for his innovative use of iron and steel in his designs.

The construction of the Eiffel Tower was a controversial endeavor, with many Parisians criticizing its design as being ugly and out of place in the city. However, once the tower was completed, it quickly became a popular tourist attraction. Today, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited landmarks in the world, and it is a symbol of Paris and France.

Engineering and Construction of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a masterpiece of engineering and construction. It is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the people who built it.

The Eiffel Tower is a 324-meter-tall (1,063-foot-tall) wrought iron lattice tower. It is supported by four massive piers, which are connected by a series of trusses. The tower is divided into three levels, and there are elevators to take visitors to the top.

The Eiffel Tower was a revolutionary engineering achievement when it was built. Eiffel used his knowledge of metal arch and metal truss form under loading to design a light and airy but strong structure. He also used innovative construction techniques, such as prefabricating the tower's components in his workshop and assembling them on site.

The construction of the Eiffel Tower began in 1887 and was completed in 1889. Over 300 workers were involved in the project, and they worked long hours in difficult conditions. However, there were no fatalities during the construction process.

The Eiffel Tower was an immediate success when it was opened to the public in 1889. It was the tallest man-made structure in the world at the time, and it attracted millions of visitors. The tower has remained a popular tourist destination ever since.

The Eiffel Tower is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the people who built it. It is a marvel of engineering and construction, and it is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.

Here are some of the key engineering challenges that Eiffel faced when designing and building the Eiffel Tower:

• The tower had to be tall enough to be impressive, but it also had to be strong enough to withstand high winds and earthquakes.
• The tower had to be light enough to be supported by the ground, but it also had to be strong enough to support its own weight.
• The tower had to be built quickly and efficiently, in time for the 1889 World's Fair.

Eiffel overcame these challenges by using a number of innovative engineering techniques. For example, he used a lattice structure for the tower, which made it strong and lightweight. He also used prefabricated components, which speeded up the construction process.

Eiffel Tower in Popular Culture

The Eiffel Tower has a rich cultural value, both to France and to the world. It is a symbol of French national pride and technological achievement. It is also a popular setting for movies, books, and other works of art.

The Eiffel Tower has also been used as a stage for important historical events. For example, in 1940, the Nazis raised their flag over the tower after their occupation of Paris. In 1944, the flag was lowered by the French Resistance after the liberation of Paris.

Today, the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of peace and hope. It is a reminder of the resilience of the French people and of the triumph of good over evil.

The Street Art of Bastille Metro Station

Having taken mandatory pictures with the Eiffel Tower, we head back to the Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel metro station. We disembark and walk around a bit at the Bastille metro station to check out the famous street art / graffiti on its platforms and tunnels.

Bastille Metro Station Street Art

The Bastille station is known for its unique street art, which depicts scenes from the French Revolution. The murals were created in 1989 by the artists Liliane Belembert and Odile Jacquot to commemorate the bicentennial of the Revolution. They depict a variety of scenes from the Revolution, including the storming of the Bastille, the execution of King Louis XVI, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

TGV Lyria Fast Train from Paris to Zürich

From the Bastille metro station, we get to Gare de Lyon to board a TGV Lyria fast train to Zürich, Switzerland. We are very late in getting to the platform thanks to a long delay at Starbucks in delivering coffee, and literally run along the train throwing our luggage in first and ourselves in next into the departing train.

TGV Lyria is a very useful service for people who travel between Paris and Zürich on a regular basis. It is also a popular choice for tourists and business travelers. and has helped to boost trade and tourism between France and Switzerland. It has made it easier for people to live and work in different countries.

TGV Lyria Stations in Paris and Zürich

TGV Lyria train #4407 at platform 12A, Zürich Hauptbahnhof

TGV Lyria is a high-speed train service that connects major cities in France and Switzerland. The terminals for TGV Lyria in Paris and Zürich are as follows:

Paris: TGV Lyria services in Paris typically depart from and arrive at the Gare de Lyon. The Gare de Lyon is one of the major train stations in Paris and is conveniently located in the 12th arrondissement. It offers easy access to various parts of Paris and serves as a central hub for TGV Lyria journeys to and from Switzerland.

Zürich: In Zürich, TGV Lyria trains operate to and from Zürich Hauptbahnhof, also known as Zürich HB or Zürich Central Station. Zürich Hauptbahnhof is the primary train station in Zürich and is situated in the heart of the city, making it a crucial transportation hub for both domestic and international train services. It provides a convenient connection for passengers traveling between Zürich and France.

TGV Lyria is known for its high-speed and comfortable travel options, and the Gare de Lyon in Paris and Zürich Hauptbahnhof in Zürich serve as vital terminals for passengers using this service to travel between France and Switzerland.

History of TGV Lyria

TGV Lyria train #4407 at Gare de Lyon, Paris

TGV Lyria is a high-speed train service operated by a joint venture between the French national railway company SNCF and the Swiss national railway company SBB CFF FFS. It connects Paris, France, with Zürich, Switzerland, in well under five hours.

The TGV Lyria service was launched in 2002, and it has quickly become one of the most popular ways to travel between the two cities. It is a convenient and fast way to travel, and it offers a number of benefits over other forms of transportation, such as flying and driving.

Benefits of TGV Lyria

There are a number of benefits to traveling by TGV Lyria from Paris to Zürich. First, it is a very fast way to travel. The journey takes just over four hours, which is much faster than flying or driving.

Second, TGV Lyria is a very convenient way to travel. Trains depart from Gare de Lyon railway station in the heart of Paris and arrive in Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Zürich HB) in the heart of Zürich, so there is no need to worry about long transfers or traffic congestion. Depending on the train, there are stops at Basel, Mulhouse, Belfort-Montbéliard TGV and Dijon.

Third, TGV Lyria is a very comfortable way to travel. The trains are spacious and have comfortable seats. There is also a cafe on each train, where passengers can purchase food and drinks.

Finally, TGV Lyria is a very environmentally friendly way to travel. Trains produce much fewer emissions than planes or cars.

Technology of TGV Lyria

TGV Lyria trains are some of the most advanced high-speed trains in the world. They are powered by electric multiple unit (EMU) technology, which means that each carriage has its own engine. This gives the trains a high power-to-weight ratio, which allows them to reach speeds of up to 300 km/h (185 mph).

TGV Lyria trains are also equipped with a number of safety features, including a sophisticated braking system and a collision avoidance system.

TGV Lyria is a major success story. It has revolutionized the way people travel between Paris and Zürich. It is a fast, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to travel. TGV Lyria is a valuable asset to the economies of France and Switzerland.

From Zürich, we will wander around Switzerland, Germany and France in a car and then take a Frecciarossa fast train to Venice, Italy. The next part of this story is at "Switzerland, France, and Germany: A Tri-Country Adventure in the Heart of Europe". 

Note: Prose in this post received AI assistance from ChatGPT and  Bard.