The whole world wants a piece of Paris!

by wrensrambles@gmail.com

Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world. So is it any wonder that other countries try to recreate a little of the Paris magic elsewhere? Take a look at the pictures of the Eiffel Tower below. Do you notice anything strange?

The Parisian Eiffel Tower, Cotai Strip, Macau

Yes, you’re right to think it looks a little different. It’s the new Eiffel Tower designed to bring the glamour of Paris to China! Well if they can offer copy watches and handbags on every street corner, you wouldn’t expect an Eiffel Tower replica to be too tricky to rustle up, would you?

The above photos are a half-size Eiffel Tower, one of the new landmarks of the soon to be opened hotel for Las Vegas Sands in Macau The Parisian: 澳門巴黎人

Below is the real deal. The Eiffel Tower on the Champs de Mars, Paris. The most visited paid monument in the world. It’s iconic presence wherever found, is sure to bring a little magic to that corner of the world.

The Eiffel Tower, Paris

They say ‘imitation is the greatest form of flattery’ so Paris should be proud! What do you think? Here is my photo from my last year’s visit to Paris when I was so excited to get that first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower through the sunroof of the taxi… Sad but true, I do still feel the same way whenever I see a Kangaroo bounding through the bush here in Australia, like the Kangaroo to Australia, the Eiffel Tower is iconic France.

Eiffel Tower, Paris through taxi sunroof May 2015

So in the last few weeks, I have visited Paris in Australia, Asia, and Europe! Let me take you to where it all began: the Paris end of Whitehorse road, Balwyn, Melbourne, Australia. There is a little French bistro, Arthur Radley that we really rather like, with a sign proudly proclaiming:

‘Welcome to the Paris end of Whitehorse Rd!’

Well, that was, as Dame Edna Everage, Australia’s greatest living comic Queen would say rather “spooky” as I was just leaving for Paris, France!

Little did I know, it was going to be via Paris, China! We stopped off en-route to Europe for a 50th Birthday celebration. I love being back in Hong Kong, our previous family home. Macau is always interesting for me, having worked for Las Vegas Sands. At the time this was bringing Venice, complete with Grand Canals and serenading gondoliers to China, so it is no real surprise to learn that ten years on, Paris is coming to Macau!

The Parisian Eiffel Tower, Macau

Well, it is Paris, China style, they’ve been remarkably faithful to the original in Macau, but instead of the beautiful wrought iron lattice, they’ve gone for steel. The structure has had the benefit of modern engineering to ensure it stands up to the high winds of the annual typhoon season.

The 3,000 room and suite Parisian Macau is yet to be opened but the Eiffel Tower topping out festivities included a dance-off between the French Cancan girls and a Chinese lion dance. It would have been a fascinating Easts meets West affair.

The Eiffel Tower through the gates of the Tuileries Gardens, Paris

What is the world most recognisable monument? Yes, it’s the Eiffel Tower. Take these photos above and below, one little glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the background and you know you’re in Paris! It dominates the Paris skyline. I love the fact that rest of the world also wants a piece of Paris, What do you think?!