Paris' Chinatown (Quartier Chinois)

Paris has a chinatown (actually two of them). In the 13th arrondissement, its axis is from Avenue de Choisy and Avenue d'Ivry all the way down to Porte d'Ivry. The second photo is taken in a Buddhist ceremonial hall where traditional music is played often during the week. This area in the 13th is inhabited by at least 50,000 Chinese, Vietnamese and Laotian nationals. Another Chinatown area has settled in the Bellevue area in the 19th arrondissement.

On our short walking tour yesterday, we were shown several areas of the Chinatown in the 13th including a Buddhist temple as well as a Mandarin social center. The first photo is one of the God of good luck found in the Mandarin center. Their view of reincarnation and reaching "nirvana" was very eye opening.

Pont Neuf

Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris. The bridge is composed to two separate spans, one of five arches joining the left bank to Ile de la Cité, another of seven arches joining the island to the right bank. The bridge was begun in 1578 by King Henry III. It was completed in 1607 and inaugurated by King Henry IV.

At the point where the bridge crosses Ile de la Cité, there stands a bronze equestrian statue of King Henry IV of France. This statue was destroyed in 1792 during the French Revolution, but was rebuilt in 1818. The statue is named le Vert-Galant in honor of Henry IV, nicknamed the "Green Gallant".