This is the inside of the basilica, Notre-Dame de la Garde.  It is located on the highest point in Marseille, France.  Based on my experience here, it's also the windiest point in the city.  To get to this area of the church you not only have to climb (or drive if you are lucky enough to have a car) the hill but you also have to continue up to the upper level of the church.  Getting there also involves a short section outside between the cafes and tourist area and the actual basilica.  When I was here the wind was so strong that not holding onto the hand rails outside meant you would be blown off the top of the church.

Notre-Dame de la Garde was built between 1853 and 1864.  The site was also used for a church in the 13th century.  Both were dedicated to "Our lady of the watch", the traditional guardian of seafarers. 

The Louvre is probably the most popular museum in Paris, France.  Surprisingly the area was pretty deserted when this picture was taken though.  We returned the following night for free Friday night for people under the age of 26.  The line out front of the pyramid was huge.  Apparently every person in Paris brings there children in on free Friday nights.

The museum is inside the Louvre Palace, built in the 12th century.  It was originally a fortress for Philip II.  The museum itself opened in 1793 with 537 paintings.  Most of these had been confiscated from the church or were royal property.  Now the Louvre, which is owned by the french government, displays more than 380,000 objects and has more than 35,000 works of art.  It is the most visited museum in the world with an average of over 15,000 visitors per day.  The main pyramid was added to the courtyard in 1988 and was designed by I.M. Pei.  Not everyone was a huge fan of the pyramid but the museum's attendance has doubled since it was built.