Eiffel Tower & Lightning - An Electrifying Paris Skyline Shot

Souveniers for Sale Outside The Louvre

Romantic ... Faith Hill and Tim McGraw in Paris

Faith Hill - New Music - More Music Videos

I was on the treadmill last night, with the TV on in front of me, and as I was flipping through the channels, this video came on. Of course it caught my eye! Have you ever seen it? It's sooooo romantic. Then again, everything is in Paris. But add the beautiful Faith Hill and handsome Tim McGraw with this song that's perfect to swoon to atop the Eiffel Tower and ... need I say more? (Sorry for the commercial you have to watch first - it's worth it though if you haven't seen the music video.)

Not The Eiffel Tower You Always See in Postcards

Between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, is The Peace Monument created by Clara Halter and architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, which was inaugurated in 2000. Through the monument's glass panes with the word "peace" etched in 32 languages and 18 alphabets, you can see the Eiffel Tower from a totally different point of view than you're used to seeing on postcards.

You get a modern perspective on a well-known landmark with an eternal message for global peace all at once!

Here's the Eiffel Tower you see in most postcards, along with some additional views of vintage Paris.

I regret to say that I did not walk to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Whenever the opportunity arose, I was too tired from the day's activities to ensure that I could tackle the climb swiftly enough to make it to the next event. Two women from my group did climb it - one climbed to the top twice (not in the same day).

But when you go to Paris, no matter how you experience the Eiffel Tower, from afar or up close, you may still want to buy one of these cute metal keychains sold at souvenir shops all over the city. Buy a dozen or more - they could make cute holiday/party decorations! How about Christmas tree ornaments? (See here for Paris Party Theme decoration ideas using the Eiffel Tower and where you can buy Eiffel Tower keychains and more.)