The iconic Eiffel Tower! At 300-metres high (plus another 24 if you include its antenna) it is the tallest structure in Paris. After its construction in 1889 it pissed the locals off with many considering it an eyesore. It was nearly torn down 20 years later but was spared as it proved an ideal platform for the transmitting antennas needed for the new science of radiotelegraphy. The tower has three observation decks at various heights.

The views from the very top are incredible! The Eiffel Tower overlooks the Champ de Mars (Field of Mars, left) and the River Seine. The Champ de Mars is a great place to relax and admire the view.

Looking northwest towards the business district of La Défense in the distance.

Update: La Défense is where I worked while living here.

Right behind the tower was a group of black fellas selling crap displayed out on sheets on the footpath. Every time a cop drove past they'd wrap up the sheet in about two seconds flat and hastily walk off hahaha. I looked back later and I think they were being arrested. Classic!

Also behind the tower was some skatey competition that had been going on all day.

This fella doing tricks on his BMX (and falling off hehe)...

...and this clown kept going down this road on his BMX like so hahaha! I was just waiting for him fall off too but he was too good ;)

The tower is lit up overnight and has a massive searchlight beaming from the top. On the hour from 9pm to 2am, thousands of strobe lights over the whole tower flash for around ten minutes - very pretty! :)

The view looking south from Basilique du Sacré Cœur at 10pm.

Our last major stop in Paris was Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens), a 23-hectare public park and gardens, and the largest in Paris.